Karel V, Duits keizer, rekenpenning van het bureau van de keizer 1550

Curator: This intriguing piece at the Rijksmuseum is a German Renaissance reckoning penny from the Bureau of the Emperor, portraying Charles V. It dates back to around 1550. Editor: There's a starkness to the metal, isn’t there? The relief seems worn, as if generations have clutched it, contemplated its meaning. Curator: Exactly. This piece, likely crafted anonymously, transcends its utilitarian purpose, serving as both currency and propaganda. The depiction of Charles V reminds us of the deeply interconnected relationship between economic power and imperial ambition. Consider, for example, the context of the Reformation— Editor: I am struck by the bilateral symmetry: the imperial eagle poised above the complex heraldry on one face— Curator: Symbolizing dominion, indeed. But look closely at Charles's profile; you can sense the weight of the crown, the burdens of leadership etched into the very lines around his mouth. And this comes amid the backdrop of expanding colonialism and brutal exploitation of indigenous people, shaping early forms of global capitalism and transatlantic slave trade. Editor: The circular composition frames him, creating an effect, like a peephole into history. Also consider how that text surrounding his profile is integrated almost like an ornamental frame–a deliberate compositional move! Curator: Absolutely. The carefully chosen Latin phrase further reinforces his legitimacy and power, linking him to classical precedents. However, viewing it today also provokes difficult questions about legacies of empire, the dynamics of historical memory, and enduring structures of inequality. Editor: Indeed. Perhaps this reckoning penny can serve not only as an echo of history but a tangible starting point for the contemporary discussion. Curator: Precisely, let us use it as an object of inquiry to question those complex narratives of power that continue to resonate today.