Gouden dukaat, noodmunt uit Wenen, geslagen tijdens het beleg door de Turken 1529

This is a golden ducat, an emergency coin from Vienna, struck during the siege by the Turks. This coin, made of gold, tells a story of crisis and resilience. The year is likely 1529. The image of a turbaned Turk is a stark reminder of the Ottoman Empire's threat to Europe, and the coin’s very existence speaks to the disruption of normal economic structures. Sieges create an environment of scarcity where precious materials like gold are needed to maintain economic activity and pay for essential supplies. By examining archival records, we can trace the history of Vienna's mint and the specific conditions during the siege. Such research reveals the ingenuity and resourcefulness of a society under pressure, and demonstrates the role of material culture as a historical source. The meaning of this coin is contingent on the political, economic, and social context of the time.