Halve daalder, noodmunt uit Haarlem, geslagen tijdens het beleg Possibly 1572

This small, octagonal silver coin, known as a "Halve daalder," was minted in Haarlem during a siege in 1572. The coin features the city's coat of arms on one side and the date 1572 on the other. The inscription “Henrick Cornelisz. Leeuwen" suggests that it was engraved by the artist, known for his metalwork and other engravings. These types of emergency coins, sometimes called siege coins, were often produced during periods of conflict when traditional currency was scarce, providing a valuable glimpse into the history of the city of Haarlem and the challenges it faced during that period.