Benoeming van Johan Georg IV, keurvorst van Saksen tot ridder van de Kouseband door Willem III, munt uitgedeeld bij schietwedstrijden te Dresden 1693

This silver medal was crafted by Johann Koch to commemorate the appointment of Johan Georg IV, Elector of Saxony, as a knight in the Order of the Garter by William III. The medal’s imagery provides insight into the intricate relationships between European powers in the late 17th century. On one side we see the royal coat of arms of Johan Georg IV. The other side depicts the emblem of the Order of the Garter, a symbol of prestige and alliance, surrounded by the order's motto. Made in Dresden, the medal served as a prize during shooting contests, reflecting the importance of marksmanship in both military and social contexts. These medals played a role in shaping social status, cultural values, and political alliances. They are historical documents that can be interpreted in relation to the society that made them. Historians rely on archival sources to further contextualize such objects, considering their public role, the politics of imagery, and the social conditions of artistic production.