Netherlands General marriage medal — design by Christoffel Adolphi EF-

Netherlands. General marriage medal — design by Christoffel Adolphi, circa 1667. Undated example; date of manufacture undetermined.

Obverse: A bride and groom stand facing one another, joining their right hands, while the groom raises his free hand. Above them, heavenly rays emanate from the name of God in Hebrew. The couple is enclosed within a delicate wreath. Surrounding Latin legend: PRÆSIDE COELESTI HALITU LUCEQUE BEATUM, expressing a blessing under the protection of heavenly spirit and light.

Reverse: Two affectionate doves perch on intertwined branches within an elaborate wreath incorporating flowers, foliage and bunches of grapes. Two adjoining hearts beneath a flame appear above. The surrounding inscription includes PACE ET AMORE DUO CONCRESCUNT … IN UNUM: through peace and love, two hearts grow into one.

An intricate marriage design combining the joining of hands with doves, intertwined branches and flaming hearts. Both sides express the themes of marital fidelity, harmony and union under divine protection.

The composition is catalogued as a general marriage or wedding anniversary medal by the Amsterdam medallist Christoffel Adolphi. Such designs could be personalised for individual couples. No engraved names, date or coat of arms are visible on the two faces of this example.

A noteworthy historical parallel is recorded in De Navorscher, 1864, p. 70: a copper medal found near Roermond, approximately 47 mm in diameter, with matching subjects and legends. This establishes that a copper example of the type was known by 1864, without determining the manufacturing date of the present medal.

Diameter: 48 mm.
Weight: 23.65 g.
Thickness at the edge: approximately 3 mm.

Type references: Bemolt B5; G. van der Meer, “Nederlandse algemene familiepenningen in de 17e en 18e eeuw”, Jaarboek voor Munt- en Penningkunde 65–66 (1978–1979), p. 112, type 5.

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