Filips II en Anna-Maria, koning en koningin van Spanje, rekenpenning van de rekenkamer van Holland te 's-Gravenhage 1574

This bronze coin, made by an anonymous artist, commemorates King Philip II and Anna-Maria, Queen of Spain. The coin's design is structured around circular forms, the edge of the coin framing two distinct yet related symbolic fields on either side. On one face, two profiles are pressed closely together. These conjoined portraits, with their shared gaze, create a dynamic tension, their curved contours contrasting with the sharp lettering that surrounds them. On the other face, a heraldic shield dominates. Here, the dense, patterned surface of the shield presents a complex layering of signs that is both decorative and functional. The circular form of the coin itself becomes a signifier. Coins are not merely currency but potent symbols of power, authority, and the flow of exchange within a culture. This coin reflects the historical moment and economic structure of the time, while also engaging with the artistic language of portraiture and heraldry. The coin is a coded object, inviting continuous interpretation.