Algemene gebedsdag bij de aanvang van de onderhandelingen te 's-Gravenhage 1608

This coin was created anonymously to mark a day of prayer at the start of negotiations in The Hague. Observe the motifs. A man stands with hands clasped in prayer, flanked by a hand offering an olive branch and another wielding a sword. This juxtaposition symbolizes the hope for peace, yet preparedness for war. Consider how the olive branch, a symbol of peace since ancient Greece, contrasts with the sword, an age-old emblem of justice, power, and often, conflict. In ancient Rome, victorious generals were sometimes presented with olive wreaths, while the sword represented military authority. The duality of peace and war is a recurring theme throughout art history and human experience. Such symbols tap into our collective memory, evoking powerful emotions. The hope for peace, the threat of war, these are primal fears and desires etched into our subconscious. This coin serves as a poignant reminder of the cyclical nature of history, where the yearning for harmony is perpetually shadowed by the specter of conflict.