Huwelijk van Leopold, prins van Saksen-Coburg-Gotha en Charlotte Augusta, prinses van Engeland 1816

Peter Kempson produced this silver medal to commemorate the wedding of Leopold, Prince of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, and Princess Charlotte Augusta of England. The medal’s imagery offers insight into the social and political context of early 19th-century Europe, depicting the intermingling of royal houses and the strategic alliances forged through marriage. On one side, we see the conjoined profiles of the royal couple, while the other features a symbolic representation of their union beneath a radiant sun. The date of the wedding, May 2, 1816, is inscribed, underscoring the historical significance of the event. Such commemorative medals were often commissioned by the state and distributed among the elite as symbols of royal power and national pride. They remind us of the complex power dynamics and institutional structures that shaped the production and reception of art in this period. To fully appreciate the medal's significance, one might consult genealogical records, diplomatic correspondence, and contemporary accounts of the wedding. Only through such historical inquiry can we understand the full scope of the medal's meaning as a cultural artifact.