Hollandse penning van Floris V, 1256-1296 1256 - 1258

Editor: This is a metal coin, “Hollandse penning van Floris V,” dating back to between 1256 and 1258. It’s housed in the Rijksmuseum. The coin features a profile portrait of Floris V, Count of Holland. It's incredible to see something so small carrying so much historical weight. What kind of visual language can we unpack from this portrait? Curator: This small object is dense with meaning. Consider the use of profile – almost universally, throughout the ancient and medieval worlds, the profile was employed to convey authority and nobility. What feeling does it give you? Does it look familiar? Editor: It's very austere and formal. Reminds me of Roman coins, actually! The image seems less about individual personality and more about projecting power. Is that a common reading? Curator: Exactly! It draws on, and actively participates in, a visual tradition going back centuries. The associations with Roman power are absolutely intentional. This imagery suggests stability, continuity and legitimate rule. But notice how the raw, hand-crafted element speaks to a certain vernacular interpretation. It represents power, but one much closer to home. It reflects its Roman precedents in miniature and simultaneously imbues a distinctly Dutch characteristic. What can this small image tell us about cultural memory and continuity? Editor: It's fascinating to think that even in a small, functional object like a coin, there's so much deliberate referencing of history and conscious construction of identity. Curator: Indeed! It's a powerful reminder that symbols always have deeper roots, weaving connections between the past and the present. Thank you for highlighting how it connects to history and psychology of identity, something which, when explored, illuminates how imagery gains emotional and cultural importance over time.