Hollandse penning van Floris V, 1256-1296 1293 - 1296

Curator: Let's talk about this fascinating medieval coin, a Hollandse penning of Floris V, dating from 1293 to 1296. It resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My first thought is how worn it looks. You can almost feel the history embedded in the very material. It has this subdued, aged aura, like it's whispering stories of long-forgotten transactions. Curator: Indeed. It's struck in metal using engraving and relief techniques. Consider the social context – who were the minters, what metals were available, and what level of skill did the craftsmen possess to create something like this? Editor: I'm drawn to the crowned symbol in the center. The intertwining lines could represent authority, lineage, or perhaps even a promise of protection under Floris V’s rule. What was the psychological effect of seeing this emblem daily? Curator: I imagine a great deal. Minting coins was serious business; the accessibility of metal resources dictated who held power. Moreover, did they consider the semiotics, the deeper meanings people might draw from the design, as they produced them en masse? It represents the confluence of labor and governance, disseminated widely. Editor: Definitely. Consider the crown—a near-universal symbol of power, easily understood even by a largely illiterate population. It evokes images of a hierarchical society and perhaps the Church and its influence too. Did commoners react to it with respect, resentment, or some complex mix? Curator: Perhaps all those things. We have to acknowledge the labor involved, however. Mining, smelting, engraving—it was anything but abstract to those whose work made symbols of power accessible. What materials were easiest to source and why? That context informs how we should value the images embossed into each one. Editor: Right, by focusing on the materials, it runs the risk of us ignoring the narrative. Coins are artifacts and potent symbols—their impact goes far beyond merely fiscal transactions. By studying its symbols and picturing its uses we also access insights into our history. Curator: That's a great point, but considering the work involved forces us to rethink any romantic view of "easy to read" images. Editor: A truly tangible piece of medieval history to appreciate on multiple levels, indeed. Curator: Yes, its material reality brings both literal and metaphorical weight to the subject.