Penning op het ontzet van Leiden, 1574 1721 - 1723

This is a commemorative coin, created in 1574 by an anonymous maker, to celebrate the end of the Siege of Leiden. The circular coin is struck from metal, and showcases intricate engraving work. The metal provides a durable canvas for the detailed scenes depicted on both sides, one showing the siege, the other its resolution. The act of minting a coin itself implies an assertion of power. The coin’s imagery uses narrative to define the identity of Leiden. The processes of engraving and minting allowed for the mass production and dissemination of this message. Think of the many hands involved in this process, from the engraver, to the tradespeople that prepared the metal for the coins and operated the machinery to make them. This object underscores the importance of materials, production, and context in understanding the full meaning of a work, reminding us that meaning is made as much as designed.