Andreas Peter Bernstorff (1735–1797), Danish Foreign Minister (1784–97) 1793

This silver medal portraying Andreas Peter Bernstorff, the Danish Foreign Minister, was created by Daniel Jensen Adzer sometime between 1784 and 1797. The medal commemorates Bernstorff's service, representing a key figure in Danish diplomacy during a period of significant European upheaval. Medals like this one served an important public role in late 18th-century Denmark, a time when the country was navigating complex international relations while also undergoing internal reforms inspired by Enlightenment ideals. The portrait, with its classical style and inscription, positions Bernstorff as a civic hero, embodying virtues of statesmanship and service to the nation. The medal would have served to cultivate a sense of national identity and pride in its leadership. Historical archives, diplomatic records, and biographical studies of Bernstorff and his contemporaries can shed light on the political and social context in which this medal was produced and circulated. By exploring these resources, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the medal as a cultural artifact and a reflection of its time.