Oord van de stad Utrecht op naam van Philips II, 1578 1578

This coin, made in Utrecht in 1578, is a humble object forged from base metal. It is a testament to the power of minute things. Considered materially, it is a dense, stamped disk, its surface worn by centuries of handling. The embossing presents the coat of arms, and it is here where the coin transcends mere utility, becoming a potent signifier of power. Minting currency was a prerogative of sovereignty, and the face of Philip II on this coin makes that claim plain. The amount of work involved in the production process is considerable. This piece invites us to consider how such an object, industrially produced and circulated, affected the everyday lives of ordinary people. While the coin may appear to be a purely functional object, it carries cultural, political, and economic significance. It is in the conjunction of these factors that its true value resides.