Overwinning in de slag bij Turnhout en het innemen van tien steden en drie versterkingen door Maurits, graaf van Nassau 1597

This silver coin, commemorating Maurits of Nassau's victory in 1597, presents a fascinating interplay of form and message. At first glance, the coin's circular form, typical of its medium, is disrupted by the engraved text and heraldic symbols. On one side, dense Latin script fills the space, meticulously arranged to celebrate Maurits's military achievements. The opposite side features a complex arrangement of crests and emblems. The lines here are more gestural and curved in comparison to the rigidity and block-like presentation of the text. The choice of silver lends a sense of gravitas to the coin, while its small scale invites intimate inspection. As a semiotic object, the coin operates on multiple levels: it commemorates a specific historical event and functions as a symbol of power and authority. The formal elements—the carefully inscribed text, the heraldic imagery, and the coin's physical form—combine to create a powerful statement about military triumph and political legitimacy. As we examine this object, we're reminded of how art can function as a form of historical narrative.