Vertrek van Leopold Willem, aartshertog van Oostenrijk, uit de zuidelijke Nederlanden, rekenpenning van Frederik de Marselaer, magistraat van de schatkist van Brussel 1656

This small, anonymous coin commemorates the departure of Archduke Leopold Wilhelm of Austria from the Southern Netherlands. It was commissioned by Frederik de Marselaer, a magistrate in Brussels. We can interpret the coin as a political act, a form of propaganda intended to shape public perception of the Archduke’s departure. Coins like these circulated among the elite, reinforcing a particular narrative. The imagery would have been instantly recognizable; Leopold’s profile was well-known. The inscriptions, “Leopold, Governor” and “Leaving the Altar,” speak to his role and the significance of his departure. Made in Brussels, this coin embodies the complex relationship between art and power in the 17th-century Habsburg territories. Understanding this coin requires us to delve into the political history of the region, the role of the Habsburgs, and the function of commemorative objects. Numismatic collections, archival documents, and period literature can provide invaluable insights. By examining its historical context, we can appreciate this coin not just as a piece of metal but as a potent symbol of its time.