Verheffing van de prins van Oranje tot stadhouder 1747

This silver coin was made by Gerrit Marshoorn. It depicts the elevation of the Prince of Orange to Stadtholder. Coins like these had a public role to play in the Netherlands, offering a take on contemporary political events. The portrait on the coin depicts Willem V. He inherited the title of Prince of Orange at the age of three. The Dutch Republic had been without a Stadtholder for two decades, but in 1766, on the occasion of his 18th birthday, Willem was granted the position. Coins struck for the occasion celebrated the return to the old order. The coin tells us this was considered a peaceful moment, invoking the wisdom of Solomon. As historians, we need to understand the context of imagery like this. Contemporary newspapers, pamphlets, and other visual representations can tell us a lot about the politics of the time. Art always has a social role.