Vroedschapspenning van de stad Alkmaar Possibly 1693

Curator: Here we have the Vroedschapspenning van de stad Alkmaar, a silver medal dating back to around 1693, crafted by Romeyn de Hooghe. It's currently housed here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Well, immediately, I'm struck by the rather fierce energy of it, like a coin forged in the heart of a brewing storm. All this baroque embellishment—makes you think of power, doesn’t it? And silver? A king’s ransom in your pocket, but flattened and co-opted. Intriguing. Curator: Power is a key word, I think. This medal, you see, served a very specific purpose—it was a reward, a tangible recognition, from the Alkmaar city council. Editor: Ah, a pat on the head in metal form! So who got to hold this shimmering piece of political swagger? Was it handed out for civic virtue? Successful trade? Or maybe just for not causing too much trouble at the local tavern? Curator: More or less! It celebrated loyalty, achievement, contributions to the city. It immortalizes these council members with the help of allegory. On one side we see Alkmaar, personified as a warrior woman—a formidable figure, poised for action with her shield. Editor: A woman warrior protecting the city! Right beside a tower. Talk about fortifications, allegorical fortifications... This imagery feels a bit self-congratulatory. Who wouldn’t want their town rendered as invincible? Was this a common visual trope at the time? The idealized protector. Curator: Common enough, especially in the wake of Alkmaar's successful defense during the Eighty Years' War, against the Spanish—the figures here seem like symbols of that proud identity. On the reverse, the allegorical depiction of Justice, overseeing a prosperous scene. All carefully weighted in the balance, just like those scales she carries! Editor: It makes me wonder about the labor involved. Silver doesn't just leap into medal form—some craftsperson painstakingly molded and shaped every line, likely repeating it over and over to give rewards to those councilmen. This little metal disc embodies not only wealth, power, and political bravado but the unseen hands that gave it form. It's quite layered, actually! Curator: Absolutely. It really makes you wonder about its long journey through history—who held it, what did they think of its symbolism, what impact did the ideas have? I can almost feel echoes of Alkmaar's past victories. Editor: For me, this little chunk of silver manages to embody both grand narratives and the intimate acts of labor and consumption, that together formed Alkmaar. A compelling reminder of the physical reality that props up even the most abstract ideals.