's-Hertogenbosch, vroedschapspenning op de aanleg van de steenweg van 's-Hertogenbosch naar Eindhoven 1741

This is a silver medal crafted by Theodorus Everardus van Berckel, commemorating the construction of the highway from 's-Hertogenbosch to Eindhoven. The medal presents a fascinating interplay of classical and contemporary symbols. On one side, we see Mercury, the fleet-footed god of commerce and communication, bearing his caduceus. This ancient symbol, entwined with serpents, speaks not just of trade but of negotiation and balance, crucial for any civic endeavor. He stands opposite a seated female figure, likely representing the city itself, an embodiment of civic virtue. Consider how Mercury, a figure from the antique world, re-emerges here in 18th-century Netherlands. His presence is a testament to the enduring power of classical imagery. This medal highlights a belief in progress, and how symbols can transcend time, to be reinterpreted, carrying within them echoes of the past, yet speaking to the present.