Hollands vuurijzer van Maria van Bourgondië, 1481 1481

This is a silver 'Hollands vuurijzer' made in 1481, during the reign of Maria van Bourgondië. The coin's circular form and the arrangement of text around its edge create a sense of enclosure, framing the heraldic imagery at its center. Consider how the coin’s design plays with concepts of power and representation. The heraldic symbols are not merely decorative but are signs of authority and lineage. They speak to the coin’s function as a medium through which the Duke's power is visually encoded and disseminated. Moreover, the formal qualities of the design—its symmetry and clarity—work to convey a sense of stability and order. This coin is more than just currency; it embodies the intersection of aesthetics, power, and communication within the cultural landscape of the late 15th century. Its lasting impact lies in its ability to reflect and shape societal values, and to function as a site of ongoing dialogue between past and present.