Hollandse halve groot van Philips de Goede, 1428-1467 1434 - 1467

Editor: This coin, a "Hollandse halve groot van Philips de Goede," made sometime between 1434 and 1467, offers us a tiny window into the world of Philip the Good. It’s so small, so unassuming… but that metallic surface has borne witness to centuries. What whispers of history do you hear in this relief? Curator: Whispers, yes, indeed. Close your eyes and picture the calloused hands that traded this coin. A loaf of bread? A night's stay? It's a portal, isn't it? This humble half groot is more than just metal. It’s the embodiment of medieval exchange, shaped by carving into existence for circulation under Philips's reign in Burgundy. Imagine the craftsman painstakingly cutting the die to strike these, ensuring Philip's profile and authority were properly disseminated. Editor: And what about Philip himself? I can't quite make out much detail of his face. Curator: His representation, even in this tiny format, would be crucial. Consider how images functioned before mass media – a ruler’s likeness on coinage was a powerful propaganda tool, reaching a vast audience. The portrait, however stylized, legitimized his rule. See the deliberate placement of text too. Editor: I can see the ring of text around the edge. It’s partially obscured, but the effect gives it a regal frame. This brings a whole new light to my perspective. Curator: Absolutely. Think of all those circulating these; soldiers paid with this, taxes received… Power radiates from an object as tiny as this, still whispering stories if one can just quiet oneself enough to hear it. Editor: What I love is thinking about the lives this touched! What stories it could tell if it only could. Curator: Exactly. That’s the magic, isn't it?