Taler, noodmunt van Gulik, geslagen voor het betalen van de troepen van keizer Karel V die de stad in het voorafgaande jaar zonder strijd hadden ingenomen. 1543

This is a coin, or noodmunt, from Gulik made to pay the troops of Emperor Charles V, who took the city without a fight the previous year. Although the artist is unknown, the coin itself speaks volumes about the complex dynamics of power, identity, and survival during the 16th century. Think about this object as more than just currency; it's a symbol of occupation and an economic tool used to maintain order. These coins were used as a promise of payment, and they reflect both the reliance on and the potential exploitation of local resources by a foreign power. The crude, almost brutal design of this coin, stands in stark contrast to traditional currency, it serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the ways in which ordinary people were forced to navigate the complexities of war and political upheaval. It’s a small object, but it carries the weight of history, survival, and resilience.