Nikolaus Ludwig, graaf van Zinzendorf, stichter van de Hernhutters 1750

This silver coin was crafted by Georg Wilhelm Kittel, commemorating Nikolaus Ludwig, Count von Zinzendorf, founder of the Moravian Church. Its small scale belies the meticulous handwork involved. The relief was achieved through die-striking, an intensive process. First, a design is cut into a hardened steel die. This die is then used to impress the image onto the silver blank under great pressure. The coin’s crisp details, from Zinzendorf’s portrait to the symbolic lamb atop a rock, demonstrate Kittel’s skill. These aren't traditional art materials, but an interesting hybrid of craft and industrial methods. The labor and skill needed for die-striking are considerable. Such commemorative objects were produced in quantity, catering to a growing market for tokens of remembrance and affiliation. The coin is a small, but significant, example of how craft practices were adapted for wider circulation in the 18th century, embedding social values into everyday objects. Ultimately, considering the labor, materials, and social context enriches our understanding, blurring the lines between art, craft, and early industrial production.