Commemorating Marriage at Whitehall of William II, Prince of Orange-Nassau and Mary, Princess Royal of England, 1641 1641

This silver medal was created by Johann Blum in 1641, commemorating the marriage of William II and Mary, Princess Royal, at Whitehall. The material itself—precious metal—speaks to the high status of the families involved. But consider, too, how this coin was made. A design would have been carefully cut into a steel die, and then used to strike the silver repeatedly, transferring the image. The fine detail suggests a highly skilled medalist. Note the two scenes: one of courtship, the other of marriage vows exchanged beneath a divine light. Text is inscribed above both scenes, a reminder of the importance of the written word in early modern diplomacy. This object offers a fascinating insight into the making of political relationships, as well as the artistry involved in minting these kinds of dynastic keepsakes.