Willem III, koning der Nederlanden bezoekt de Rijksmunt te Utrecht 1853

This commemorative coin was made by Johannes Petrus Schouberg to mark King Willem III's visit to the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht. The coin, likely commissioned by the Royal family, is a classic example of the way the Dutch monarchy visually asserted its power and authority. On one side, we see a portrait of King Willem III, a carefully sculpted profile, reinforcing his image as a strong and capable leader. The reverse side of the coin is inscribed with the text ‘Willem Nicol. Alexand. Fred. Kar. Hend. Prins van Oranje, bezoekt's Rijks Munt te Utrecht 10 Aug. 1863’. Consider the message this coin is conveying. Currency is at once a tool of the state and a symbolic representation of its power. What better way to demonstrate that power than with an image of the King? To fully understand the social context of this coin, historians might consult royal archives, newspaper reports, or even economic data from the period.