Netherlands. Willem III. Historical Medal 1856 - unveiling of the monument “De Eendracht” - by S. C. Elion (Free Shipping: The Netherlands; (No Reserve Price)

Netherlands Medal 1856 King Willem III, unveiling of the monument “De Eendracht” (Also known as Naatje op de dam) - by S. C. Elion

75mm - 200g

Obverse:King Willem III, unveiling of the monument “De Eendracht” by Louis Royer
Legend: “WILLEM III KONING – DER NED. G. H. V. L.”
Bare-headed bust of King Willem III facing right; signed S. C. Elion F.

Reverse:
Legend: “IN TEGENWOORDIGHEID DES KONINGS – ONTHULD DEN 27 AUGUSTUS 1856.”
Tall monument “De Eendracht” by sculptor Louis Royer.

The Eendracht monument, popularly known as the Naatje op de Dam, once stood prominently on Amsterdam’s Dam Square as a symbol of unity and national resilience. Erected in 1856, it commemorated the fallen of the Ten Days’ Campaign and embodied the motto “Eendracht maakt macht”: unity makes strength. The statue, a tall female figure holding the Dutch coat of arms, quickly became a familiar landmark, though not always a beloved one. Amsterdammers, known for their sharp humour, mockingly nicknamed it the “Naatje,” a reference to its somewhat awkward appearance.

Despite its symbolic purpose, the monument struggled aesthetically and structurally. Weathering, criticism, and a lack of widespread public appreciation eventually led to its removal in 1914, after which the Dam evolved into the more open, modern square we recognize today.