Begin van de vredesonderhandelingen te Utrecht, rekenpenning geslagen op last van de koninklijke schatkamer, ter ere van Lodewijk XIV, koning van Frankrijk 1713

This silver coin, designed by Thomas Bernard, commemorates the beginning of the peace negotiations in Utrecht under Louis XIV. Consider how the image of Louis XIV, his profile stamped in silver, embodies the power dynamics of 18th-century Europe. Notice how he gazes firmly to the right, his elaborate wig a symbol of status. On the coin's reverse, a scene of laborers forging metal alludes to the hard work of negotiating peace. These images raise questions about labor, power, and representation. How are the contributions of ordinary workers acknowledged, even as the King is glorified? How might we interpret the act of forging metal as a metaphor for shaping the future of Europe through diplomacy and conflict resolution? This coin reminds us that even in moments of peace, the legacies of power and social hierarchies are deeply embedded in our collective memory.