Gedenkthaler tweede Duits Bondsschieten te Bremen 1865

Curator: This coin, entitled "Gedenkthaler tweede Duits Bondsschieten te Bremen," dates back to 1865, and it commemorates the Second German Federal Shooting Competition held in Bremen. It's by the artist Monogrammist BR, utilizing metal engraving. Editor: It feels almost medieval in its detail, despite being from the 19th century. The heraldic imagery is incredibly dense and intricate. I’m immediately drawn to the relief and how it plays with light, adding dimensionality to what is, essentially, a flat object. Curator: Absolutely, let's delve into the material aspect further. Being a coin, the metal itself becomes crucial. Its inherent value, determined by material composition and weight, communicates notions of wealth and power deeply intertwined with the social fabric of the time. Also the serial reproduction process interests me here. Editor: I find that the coin serves as a small window into 19th-century German society. Consider the cultural context; shooting competitions were popular events, fostering a sense of national unity amidst political fragmentation. The symbolism in the crest – lions and crowns – what kind of statement does it make? Curator: Precisely! The Free Hanseatic City of Bremen’s symbols showcased a sense of civic pride. Furthermore, consider how such imagery permeated public life, reinforcing established hierarchies. How this simple object can inform broader questions about labour, skill, access to resources? Editor: That's a very relevant point. How did this competition function institutionally? Was it open to all social classes, or did it serve primarily the elite? Its distribution and who it aimed to represent say a lot about German social and political conditions. Curator: And even considering its legacy! It becomes a token of the political moment, circulating amongst individuals, entering collections… Its lifecycle reveals patterns of consumption, exchange and meaning-making in German society, Editor: In conclusion, both material production and cultural forces intertwined in this coin. A study case on 19th-century German sociopolitical affairs, or simply a well-done object in the engraver’s trade. Curator: Indeed! We have the convergence of skilled craftsmanship and historical significance encapsulated in this single commemorative coin, that continues to fascinate us to this day.