Johannes Diericxsen, rentmeester-generaal van de stad Antwerpen 1655

This bronze coin, made in 1655, commemorates Johannes Diericxsen, rentmeester-generaal of Antwerp. On one side, the city's fortified castle rises powerfully, flanked by two towers – a potent symbol of municipal authority and defense, encircled by a wreath, hinting at civic pride and victory. Below the castle, the initials "S.P.Q.A." stand for "Senatus PopulusQue Antverpiensis," meaning "The Senate and People of Antwerp." Such iconography echoes back to ancient Roman coins, where similar symbols represented the power and unity of the state. The castle motif itself, a fortified structure, appears in various forms throughout European heraldry and art, each time carrying connotations of security and dominion. Consider how the image of a fortress can evoke feelings of safety and confinement, of power and isolation, engaging our deepest fears and desires linked to the protection of territory and identity. The coin is a symbol of continuity, echoing through time, its meaning shaped by collective memory and cultural context.