Herovering van Schonen, ter ere van Karel XI van Zweden 1677

This small silver medal commemorates the reclaiming of Scania, now part of southern Sweden, by Charles XI. Consider the artistry and labor involved in its creation. The medal's design is meticulously hand-engraved, a skilled craft demanding years of training. The process involves carefully incising lines into the metal, gradually building up the image and text. We see Charles in profile, wreathed in laurel, and the fortress at Scania, all rendered with precision. The choice of silver is significant too. Its inherent value and shine signify wealth and status, befitting a royal commemoration. The medal served not just as currency, but as a means of distributing propaganda, a carefully considered message about Swedish power. The repetitive process of striking these medals was not unlike modern-day manufacturing; a skilled artisan would have been required, to create the master die. Next time you see a coin or medal, remember that embedded in its material and making is a whole history of craft, labor, and political intention.