Utrechtse halve groot van Frederik van Blankenheim, 1393-1423 1393 - 1423

This is a Utrecht half groat, made of silver between 1393 and 1423 under Frederik van Blankenheim, who was Bishop of Utrecht at the time. Consider the power dynamics at play in this small object. Van Blankenheim wasn’t just an artist or craftsman; as bishop, he was a political and religious leader. Coinage during this period was a statement of authority, a way to broadcast power and legitimacy. The imagery, likely chosen by Van Blankenheim or under his directive, would have been carefully considered to project an image of strength and divine right. The coin is not just a currency, it's a symbol of a complex web of social, religious, and economic relationships. It’s a potent reminder of the ways in which identity and authority were constructed and circulated in the late medieval world. It invites us to reflect on the tangible ways power manifests itself in our daily lives.