Wilhelmina, koningin der Nederlanden 1898

This is a medal of Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands, made by Johannes Albertus Adolf Gerritsen. We see Wilhelmina in profile, crowned, symbolizing her royal status and divine right to rule. Turn the medal over, and you'll find a wreath of laurel leaves. Laurel wreaths have crowned victors and emperors since ancient Greece, signifying triumph and honor. Here, it evokes the enduring strength and prosperity of the Dutch monarchy, suggesting a lineage stretching back through history. Think of Apollo, often depicted wearing a laurel wreath, embodying reason and artistic achievement. Note how the choice of such enduring symbols—the crown, the laurel—draws upon a deep well of cultural memory. The collective subconscious recognizes these symbols, imbuing the medal with a sense of timeless authority and evoking a powerful sense of continuity.