Hollandse penning van Floris IV, 1222-1234 1222 - 1234

This is a silver coin from Holland, made during the reign of Floris IV, sometime between 1222 and 1234. Hammered silver coins like this were the product of a surprisingly complex system. Minting involved a division of labour, with specialists responsible for melting, hammering, and die-striking the metal. The coin’s irregularities speak to this process, where each piece was a unique, hand-wrought object. The coin’s small size belies its substantial role in the medieval economy, connecting local markets to larger trade networks, and facilitating the exchange of goods and services. The production of currency was tightly controlled by rulers like Floris IV, so these coins acted as powerful symbols of authority. This seemingly modest object thus bridges the worlds of craft, economics, and political power, giving tangible form to social relations. It reminds us that even the smallest artifacts can carry immense cultural weight.