Karel V, Duits keizer, bereidt zich voor op de oorlog tegen Frankrijk en Gelderland 1543

This small bronze coin at the Rijksmuseum depicts Karel V, Holy Roman Emperor, poised for war. Notice how the circular form tightly frames the central figure, lending a sense of contained power. The coin's design is structured by symbolic elements, Karel V, sword in hand, dominates the scene, his stance conveying a readiness for conflict. The Latin inscription that encircles the image, functions as a kind of metadata to the visual narrative, reinforcing the coin’s intended message of authority and readiness. On the reverse, we see a double headed eagle. As a semiotic object, the coin operates on multiple levels. Its metallic substance and compact size speak to its function as currency, while its imagery serves as propaganda, disseminating a carefully constructed image of leadership and martial strength. Coins like these were not merely economic tools, but also potent symbols of power.