Coronation of William IV 1831

This is a commemorative medal depicting the Coronation of William IV, created by William Wyon in 1831. It's made of gold, a material historically associated with wealth, power, and permanence. The process used to create this medal involved die-striking, a technique used for mass-producing coins and medals. The design is engraved into a hardened steel die, which is then used to stamp the image onto the gold. The precision and detail achieved through this method speaks to the industrialization of art in the 19th century, where skilled craftsmanship met mass production. Consider the relationship between the precious metal and the mechanized production. Gold gives the object status, but the means of production makes it relatively accessible. It is this tension that makes this medal such an eloquent symbol of its time. It is a token of power, distributed widely.