Aftocht van het leger van Mendoza bij Tienen en inname van Grave door Maurits, graaf van Nassau 1602

This medal, depicting military maneuvers, was likely struck from silver in the late 16th or early 17th century by an anonymous maker. The low relief design was probably achieved through die-striking, a process involving the careful hand-engraving of a hardened steel die. Consider the labor involved; not just the design, but also the mining and processing of the silver itself. The material's inherent qualities, its malleability and luster, lend themselves perfectly to this commemorative object, designed to be held and admired. The weight of the coin, though slight, has a symbolic heft, representing power and authority. As a multiple, this medal speaks to the emergence of early capitalism and the commodification of information. It served not only as currency, but as a form of propaganda, circulating news of military victories and solidifying national identity. By focusing on the medal's materiality and production, we recognize its role within broader systems of labor, politics, and consumption.