Designed by
Krohn, Frederik Christopher, Danish, 1806 - 1883
Subject of
Frederick VI, Danish Norwegian, 1768 - 1839
Date
April 18, 1834
Medium
bronze
Dimensions
H x W x D: 2 7/16 × 2 7/16 × 1/4 in. (6.2 × 6.2 × 0.7 cm)
Description
A Danish Free Black Citizenship Commemorative Medal, issued by the Free Blacks of Saint Thomas, to commemorate the royal edict passed by Frederick VI on April 18, 1834. The medal is round, and bronze toned. The obverse of the medal is edged with thin a concentric circle. In the center of the medal is a relief Romanized portrait of a bust of Frederick VI. Frederick VI is depicted in profile, wearing a laurel wreath on his head, and facing the right edge of the medal. His head is crowned by relief text that reads, [FREDERICUS VI REX DANIÆ]. Below Frederick VI is small relief text that reads [INCOLÆ LIBERI COLORATI INSULAR. DAN. IN IND. OCC./ IN CIVITATEM RECEPTI PATRI PATRIE ERATI FAC. CVR.]. The artist mark [F. KROHN K] is printed in relief text on the underside of the neck of the bust. The reverse of the medal is edged with double concentric circles. A relief depiction of Dania as Justice holding a staff in her proper right hand and scales in her proper left hand. She is draped in a traditional toga and is standing astride a sleeping lion. She rests her proper right foot on a shield emblazoned with a cross. Relief text printed on either side of the figure reads [ÆQUITAS] on the left and [AUGUSTI] on the right. Printed below the figure is the date [XVIII APR. MDCCCXXXIV].
Place used
Virgin Islands of the United States, United States, North and Central America
Place made
Denmark, Europe
Classification
Slavery and Freedom Objects
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
medals
Topic
Antislavery
Civil rights
Colonialism
Dutch colonialism
Free communities of color
Freedom
International affairs
Ornamentation
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of David K. Hayes
Object number
2018.112.2
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd55b283120-4e4d-4226-9112-d53a6d93dd82

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page