Huwelijk van Willem V met Wilhelmina Frederica Sophia van Pruisen te Berlijn, penning aangeboden aan de schutters van Amsterdam tijdens een vergadering in de Doelen en aan de brandmeesters van 's-Grav 1767

This silver medal, created by Gerrit van Moelingen, commemorates the marriage of Willem V to Wilhelmina Frederica Sophia of Prussia in Berlin. It was presented to the civic guard and fire wardens of Amsterdam. Reflect on the role of such objects in solidifying political alliances through marriage. The conjoined profiles of Willem and Wilhelmina represent not just a union of individuals, but also of their respective states. Note that the piece was gifted specifically to Amsterdam's civic guard and fire wardens. What can it tell us about the values and concerns of Dutch society at the time? This medal speaks to the significance of civic duty, protection, and community. Consider too how Wilhelmina, as a Prussian princess, would have navigated her identity and role in Dutch society. Her marriage was a strategic move, but it also placed her in a position where she had to negotiate her own identity within a complex political landscape. This medal is not just a celebration; it is a symbol of power, duty, and the personal intertwined with the political.