Jan van Leiden, aanvoerder der wederdopers en de overgave van Munster 1535

This medal depicting Jan van Leiden was made by an anonymous artist, but it memorializes the Anabaptist leader and the surrender of Munster. The visual codes of this medal, likely made in the wake of the siege of Munster in 1535, carry heavy political and religious weight. The Anabaptist movement, which sought radical social and religious reforms, had taken control of the city. Jan van Leiden established a theocratic regime, introducing controversial practices like polygamy, which challenged existing social norms. The image of Jan van Leiden with a sword on the front of the coin contrasts with the image of the arms of the city of Munster on the reverse. This contrast emphasizes the shift in power and the religious conflicts of the time. Understanding this medal requires historical research into the Anabaptist movement, the siege of Munster, and the broader context of the Protestant Reformation. Only then can we appreciate the medal's function as a historical record and a commentary on the social and political upheaval of the era.