Tweehonderdste verjaardag van de stichting van de hogeschool te Leiden 1775

This silver medal was commissioned anonymously to celebrate the bicentennial of Leiden University in the Netherlands. The image shows us more than just pride in an institution. On one side, we see a figure in classical garb, likely representing the city of Leiden, receiving a bundle of rods from William of Orange. This bundle is a ‘fasces,’ an ancient Roman symbol of power and authority. The choice of the fasces is revealing. It evokes the classical world, signaling the university’s role in preserving ancient knowledge. But it also speaks to the political realities of the time. The Dutch Republic was a relatively new entity, having fought for independence from Spain. The University of Leiden, founded in 1575, was a symbol of this new nation’s cultural and intellectual aspirations. This medal reminds us that institutions like universities don't just exist in an ivory tower, they are deeply intertwined with the political and social currents of their time. As historians, we can dig deeper by looking at university archives, political pamphlets, and even architectural plans to understand the full story behind this medal.