This 1747 silver medal honours William IV, Prince of Orange, at the moment he was proclaimed hereditary Stadtholder of all seven provinces of the Dutch Republic. Struck in silver and designed by Nicolaas van Swinderen, it marks the end of the second stadtholderless period and captures a pivotal turning point in Dutch constitutional history.

The obverse presents William Charles Henry Friso with his titles in Latin, GVIL. CAR. HENR. FRISO. PRINC. NASS. ET AR., set within an elegant composition that reflects his new role as unifying figurehead of the Republic. The reverse carries an allegorical female figure with crowned arms and a spear entwined with orange branches, together with the inscription PRO ARIS ET FOCIS and PROCL. GVBERN. 3 MAII 1747, a clear reference to his proclamation as governor and protector of both faith and home. The combination of allegory and inscription gives the medal real depth, linking its design directly to the pressures of war and the popular call for strong leadership.

At around 37 mm and struck in silver, the medal has a pleasing weight and presence in the hand. The engraved detail is crisp and finely balanced, showing the quality of van Swinderen’s work in both heraldic and allegorical elements. For collectors, it offers not only an attractive piece of 18th‑century medallic art, but also a direct connection to the restoration of the House of Orange and the broader story of the Dutch Republic during the War of the Austrian Succession.

This is a particularly appealing medal for anyone interested in Orange‑Nassau history, early modern European politics or high‑quality silver medals of the mid‑18th century. It brings together portraiture, symbolism and historical significance in a single, carefully made piece.