Vijfde verjaardag van prinses Carolina 1748

Martin Holtzhey created this silver medal to commemorate Princess Carolina's fifth birthday. Born in the Netherlands, Carolina was the daughter of William IV, Prince of Orange, and Anne, Princess Royal of Great Britain. The medal presents the conjoined busts of William and Anne on one side, emphasizing their dynastic union. The other side depicts Carolina encircled by a wreath, symbolizing the hopes invested in her future. Minted in 1748, this object speaks to the 18th-century Dutch Republic's obsession with succession and stability. The House of Orange, after a period of being without power, had only recently regained its prominence, and needed to secure its line. The medal, therefore, is not just a personal memento but a piece of political messaging, an attempt to solidify public support. Understanding the medal requires attention to numismatic history and the socio-political context of the Dutch Republic. Such research illuminates the medal's role in constructing and circulating ideas about power, legitimacy, and national identity.