David van der Kellen jr., gepensioneerd na vierenvijftig jaar aan de Rijksmunt te Utrecht werkzaam te zijn geweest, penning aangeboden door zijn collega's 1874

This bronze medal was made in 1874 by Johan Philip Menger, to honor David van der Kellen Jr.'s retirement after fifty-four years at the Utrecht Mint. The medal is a testament to the skilled labor involved in minting. The sharp relief of van der Kellen's profile and the meticulously inscribed text demonstrate the mastery of die-cutting, a technique demanding precision and patience. The weight of the bronze itself, almost a kilogram, speaks to the material value associated with monetary production. The medal is not just a portrait; it's a document of social relations, offered by van der Kellen's colleagues, underscoring the importance of collective recognition. Consider the countless hours van der Kellen spent crafting the tools and dies necessary for mass-producing coinage - his career representing the intersection of artistic skill and industrial labor. Ultimately, this medal invites us to reflect on the often-overlooked artistry within the realm of industry and the significance of honoring dedicated service.