Sluiting van verbond van vriendschap en koophandel tussen de Verenigde Staten van Amerika en de Staten-Generaal der Nederlanden te 's-Gravenhage 1782

This silver medal commemorates the treaty of amity and commerce between the United States and the Netherlands, crafted by Johannes Josephus van Baerll. The treaty marked a pivotal moment during the American Revolutionary War, as the Netherlands was the second European country to recognize the U.S. as an independent nation. The medal presents a visualization of this international alliance. We see two figures, one standing and draped in classical garb while holding the American flag, the other seated with a spear, presumably representing the Netherlands. They extend a branch towards each other, symbolizing the bond formed through trade and friendship. The inscription 'Fidesque' and 'En Dextra' allude to the mutual trust and the 'right hand' of alliance between the two nations. Consider how such objects can solidify political relationships, and how the choice of classical imagery might evoke notions of democracy and republicanism. This medal acts as a potent symbol of a transatlantic alliance that would influence the political landscape for decades to come.