Henri II, 1519-1559, King of France 1547 [obverse] 1552

This golden coin portrays Henri II, King of France, crafted by Etienne Delaune. Observe the laurel wreath crowning his head, a symbol inherited from classical antiquity, signifying victory and imperial power. This motif is not unique to Henri; we see it echoed through the ages, from Roman emperors to Renaissance leaders, each seeking to align themselves with the glory of the past. Yet, the wreath’s significance has shifted, becoming less about military triumph and more about intellectual or artistic achievement. Consider the emotional resonance of such symbols. The act of bestowing a laurel wreath taps into our collective memory, evoking feelings of admiration and respect. Even today, we use laurel wreaths to commemorate the dead as a reminder of the glory of the past. This image acts as an invocation of power. The laurel wreath, like other powerful symbols, is a cyclical return, constantly resurrected and reinterpreted, its essence enduring, yet forever transformed by the currents of time and culture.