Hollandse stuiver van Karel V, 1506-1555 1535 - 1544

This is a Hollandse stuiver, created during the reign of Karel V of Habsburg, sometime between 1506 and 1555. Notice the circular form of the coin, its pale grey hue, and the worn texture of its surface. The coin presents a symmetrical composition, dominated by the Habsburg coat of arms at its center. Encircling the arms, an inscription in raised lettering creates a textured border. The linear elements are simple, yet they convey a sense of formal authority. Coins such as this were not just currency but also tools of political communication. The Habsburg emblem, prominently displayed, asserts imperial power. The coin’s small scale and modest material suggest a tension between grand ambition and the everyday reality of governance. Consider the semiotic weight of the emblem as a signifier of the Emperor’s authority. Even a small object like this can offer a complex narrative about power, representation, and the material culture of the past. It invites endless interpretation.