Utrechtse dubbele groot van Rudolf van Diepholt, 1433-1455 1433 - 1455

Curator: What strikes me immediately is the worn quality, the way the design almost seems to emerge from the metal itself. Editor: And that, precisely, speaks volumes about its history! We're looking at a "Utrechtse dubbele groot" minted for Rudolf van Diepholt sometime between 1433 and 1455. It's essentially a coin, a fascinating glimpse into the economic and political landscape of the medieval Netherlands. Curator: Coin as historical document. The eagle motif seems intentionally bold, despite the wear and tear it has endured over centuries. I'm curious about its specific cultural and social symbolism in that moment. Editor: The eagle was, of course, a common symbol of power and authority, but its presence here is very particular. Rudolf van Diepholt was a controversial figure. Understanding the politics of the Bishopric of Utrecht then is critical to understanding the message this coin tried to convey. It was certainly trying to project an image of legitimate authority. Curator: I wonder if this speaks to how even mundane objects can become contested sites of meaning. We think of coins as purely economic tools, but really they are propagating very specific messages to certain people. Did people embrace the coin’s message, or did they interpret the imagery through lenses of dissent or resistance? Editor: Exactly. The dissemination of imagery like this was a carefully orchestrated political strategy, especially within the context of consolidating power. Now housed in a museum, its function has dramatically shifted. It becomes less about practical exchange, and more about reflection and interpretation of the politics and people of that moment in history. Curator: And looking at its eroded surface, I cannot help but think about our relationship to value today, what materials do we imbue value into today? What social and political statements are embedded within those contemporary tokens? Editor: Indeed, reflecting on such histories urges us to question the systems of power represented through symbols and question its future trajectory. Curator: That's so pertinent!