Vijftigste verjaardag van Petrus Curtenius, professor in de theologie te Amsterdam 1766

This silver medal was made to celebrate the fiftieth birthday of Petrus Curtenius, a professor of theology in Amsterdam. The process of striking a medal like this begins with the making of dies, or stamps, which are essentially negative reliefs of the imagery. These are made from hardened steel. The metal is carefully chosen for its ability to take a crisp impression. A blank disk of silver is placed between the dies, then struck with a hammer or screw press. Consider how the artist, Carel Frederik Konsé, would have needed to combine artistic skill with the precision of a toolmaker. The very act of commemorating Curtenius by using a refined material and a mechanical process underscores the importance of his place in society. Note the way the medal has been designed to circulate; a means of celebrating an individual by literally placing him in the hands of the public.