Viervoudig verbond van Londen tussen de keizer, Engeland, Frankrijk en Holland 1718

Bengt Richter created this medal, commemorating the Quadruple Alliance of London, most likely in the Netherlands, sometime around 1718. The alliance united the Holy Roman Emperor, England, France and Holland against Spain. On one side, we see a portrait of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, identifiable by the inscription "CAES.AVG.CAR.VI.IM.P.SA.GE.HI.HV.BO.REX." The reverse depicts a female figure, likely an allegory for the alliance itself, seated atop a bull and holding a shield. These visual codes of power are intended to convey a sense of strength and unity. As historians, we can delve into the political context of this alliance, examining diplomatic records and correspondence to understand the motivations and goals of each participating nation. Numismatic archives can also shed light on the production and distribution of such medals, revealing the ways in which political messages were disseminated and consumed in the 18th century. In understanding its historical context, this medal ceases to be a mere object. It becomes a rich source of information about a pivotal moment in European history.