Bouw van het Luthers bestedelinghuis te Amsterdam 1770

This silver medal, with a diameter of just under 4 cm, was made by Theodorus Victor van Berckel to commemorate the building of the Lutheran almshouse in Amsterdam. On one side, we see the newly constructed building, a physical manifestation of community care. On the other side, a figure symbolizing piety stands with a cross and bible, embodying the values underpinning this act of charity. The image evokes questions about who receives care and on what terms. In 18th-century Amsterdam, religious identity was intimately tied to social standing and access to resources. This almshouse, built by Lutherans for Lutherans, reflects the ways in which religious communities provided welfare within their own circles, creating both support networks and boundaries of inclusion and exclusion. This medal serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between faith, charity, and identity, urging us to reflect on the ways in which care is given and received today.