Groningse flabbe, 1568 [?] 1568

This Groningse flabbe, a coin, was produced around 1568 in the city of Groningen. Imagine holding this small, silver disc, a tangible link to a society grappling with immense religious and political upheaval. In 1568, the Netherlands was in the early throes of the Eighty Years' War, a struggle for independence from Habsburg Spain, which adds considerable weight to this object. Each flabbe embodies the spirit of a community asserting its identity. As currency, this coin supported a local economy in defiance of foreign rule. The Groningse flabbe acted as a symbol of resilience and resistance. It served as a silent yet potent statement of cultural and economic sovereignty. It is a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry the weight of history and the spirit of self-determination.