Maria Theresia, Duits keizerin 1743

This small medal of Maria Theresia, German Empress, was made from silver by an anonymous artist. Silver in its raw form is relatively soft, so to create the medal, the artist likely alloyed it with another metal to increase its hardness and durability. The images on either side were created using a die-striking technique. This involved engraving the design into a hardened steel die, and then pressing the die onto a silver blank with considerable force. It’s a testimony to both the malleability of the metal, and the skill of the die cutter. The sharp, precise details of the imagery speak to that expertise. The creation of objects like these speaks to a sophisticated division of labor. From the mining and refining of the silver, to the design and striking of the medal, each stage involved specialized knowledge and craft. This medal is not just a portrait of an empress. It’s also a small window into the economic and social systems of its time.