Van stapel lopen van het oorlogsschip "Herkules", gebouwd te Dordrecht op de werf van J. Spaan en Zn. 1782

This medal was struck to commemorate the launch of the warship "Herkules" in Dordrecht, in 1784, by Johannes Josephus van Baerll. Made of pewter, it’s a relatively humble material for such an event, far from the gold or silver one might expect. The medal's grey, matte surface reflects the solemnity of the occasion, and its circular form echoes the cyclical nature of naval power. On one side, a warship is depicted, while the reverse features an inscription. The lettering appears dense and almost impenetrable. But the real story here is the ship itself. Its construction demanded the labor of countless individuals, from the felling of trees to the shaping of planks, and the forging of iron components. The launch of a warship was a symbolic act, representing the culmination of vast economic and social resources. This medal invites us to consider the connections between materials, labor, and national ambition. By acknowledging all of these elements, we can appreciate the full weight of meaning this small object carries.