Gronings magermanneke, 1579 1579

This is the "Gronings magermanneke," created in 1579 by the Stad Groningen. At just over 2cm in diameter, this coin presents a compact visual field dominated by circular forms and a muted, metallic palette. The primary image is that of an eagle, emblem of power, yet its delicate engraving seems almost frail. Observe how the circular composition, defined by the coin's edge and the surrounding inscription, creates a contained space. Within this boundary, the eagle is centrally positioned, its form echoing the coin's overall roundness. The inscription, though functional, also acts as a decorative element, adding texture to the coin's surface. The magermanneke complicates our understanding of value. Ostensibly a symbol of wealth, its worn surface and modest size challenge notions of grandeur. Is it a token of genuine power, or a reminder of the limitations inherent in material possessions? It invites us to consider how meaning can be found in the intersection of form and function.