Inhuldiging van Wilhelmina als koningin der Nederlanden, penning uitgedeeld onder schoolkinderen 1898

This bronze medal, designed by Johannes Albertus Adolf Gerritsen, was distributed to schoolchildren at the inauguration of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. The medal’s small size speaks to its efficient mode of production, where dies were engraved in hardened steel, and the form was then impressed using a coining press. The crisp, standardized images – Wilhelmina’s effigy on one side and a symbolic representation of the Netherlands on the other – show this process well. While seemingly a humble object, the medal is deeply embedded in social context. Its distribution among schoolchildren suggests an active effort to instill a sense of national identity, and loyalty to the monarchy. Moreover, it prompts us to reflect on the labor involved, not only the designer but also the many workers who would have been involved in mass-producing this commemorative object. Ultimately, this medal exemplifies how everyday objects can encapsulate profound cultural and political meaning. It challenges us to appreciate the significance of materials, making, and context in understanding the full meaning of such an artwork.