Peter Codde, aartsbisschop van Sebaste door de Staten beschermd 1705

This undated silver medal commemorates Peter Codde, the Archbishop of Sebaste, under the protection of the States. Its creation and reception are deeply rooted in the religious and political tensions of the Dutch Republic. The medal encapsulates the complex interplay of religious authority and state power. On one side, we see a portrait of Codde, his title inscribed, marking his ecclesiastical position. On the reverse, a symbolic representation of the States, shielding Codde, visually narrates the political support he received amidst religious conflict. The imagery evokes the historical context of religious strife within the Dutch Republic, highlighting the power dynamics between different religious factions and the state. It invites us to consider the emotional and personal dimensions of religious persecution and political refuge. This medal serves not only as a historical artifact but also as a poignant reminder of the ongoing tensions between religious freedom and political authority.