Frederik de Marselaer, magistraat van de schatkist van Brussel Possibly 1623

This coin, made in Brussels in 1623, is an example of money being used as propaganda. The image is full of meaning, intended to influence the owner’s feelings about those in power. Coins such as this were not merely currency but were also carriers of political messages. Made during the reign of Albert and Isabella, it references their Royal authority and the fact that it was minted in Brussels, the capital of the Duchy of Brabant. On one side we see an image of a lion and the words “God Solt ons behouden” (God save us). On the reverse is a crowned shield. The iconography is intended to cement the authority of the Habsburg rulers. By studying these small objects, we can learn a great deal about the social and political climate of the time, the institutions of power, and the role that imagery played in shaping public opinion. Numismatic collections can be invaluable resources for historians.