Viering van de kroning van Willem III en Maria te Amsterdam 1689

This silver medal commemorates the coronation of William III and Mary in Amsterdam. Observe the regalia: William and Mary bear scepters, emblems of royal authority stretching back to ancient kings. The scepter, a symbol of power and justice, appears in different forms across cultures, from the staff of the Egyptian pharaohs to the batons of Roman consuls. Consider also the figures on the reverse, likely representing Amsterdam civic guards. They stand as protectors, a motif repeated through history in the form of guardian figures found in classical antiquity. These figures evoke a sense of security, embodying the city's commitment to its new monarchs. These symbols, repeated across time, reveal how we continually reimagine power and protection. Their persistent resonance taps into our collective memory, reminding us of the timeless human quest for order and stability.