Utrechtse halve groot van Jan van Verneburg, 1364-1371 1364 - 1371

This is a silver "Utrechtse halve groot," made between 1364 and 1371 by Jan van Verneburg. Money like this offers a unique window into the social and political life of the late medieval Netherlands. Look closely, and you'll see how this tiny coin is covered in symbols of authority. The imagery of the Utrecht bishopric, likely combined with the coat of arms of the Van Verneburg family, asserts the power of both church and nobility. Consider the economic conditions that made such symbols necessary: Who controlled the minting of coins, and what did that power signify? How did this imagery function to reassure people during a time of economic uncertainty? By studying the iconography of coins like this one, and by looking into the archives of the medieval church, we can better understand the relationship between economic power and social status in the late middle ages. This humble coin is a potent reminder that art, even in its most functional forms, always reflects the values of the society that created it.