Sluiting van het drievoudige verbond tussen Engeland, Frankrijk en de Republiek 1596

This undated silver coin commemorates the alliance between England, France and the Dutch Republic. The choice of silver as a material is significant. As a precious metal, it implies value and stability, suitable for marking an important political event. But it’s also worth considering the labor involved in the coin's production. From mining the silver ore, to refining and alloying the metal, to the skilled hand of the die engraver, each stage represents a concentration of effort. The coin was likely produced using a hammer and die, a traditional method that demanded precision and control. The act of striking the coin, impressing the design onto the metal, is itself a forceful assertion of authority. The imagery on the coin is rich in symbolism. Coats of arms allude to the countries involved, while clasped hands signify unity. The decision to immortalize this event in a coin suggests the desire to create a lasting symbol of political accord, with the alliance literally set in stone, or rather, silver.