Karel V, Duits keizer, rekenpenning van de raad van Financiën 1546

This anonymous medal commemorates Karel V, the Holy Roman Emperor. The imagery evokes the balance of power and fiscal responsibility within his vast domain. On one side, we see the emperor's effigy, while the reverse features a set of scales. This instrument represents justice, and the careful balancing of accounts. Yet, the scales resonate with the ancient archetype of Libra, embodying equilibrium. Think of Maat in Egyptian lore, her feather symbolizing cosmic harmony, or the scales of divine judgment in medieval art, where souls are weighed. The number 46 is inscribed on the medal as well. This numerical symbol speaks to deeper structures in the universe, much like the Kabbalistic tradition where numbers reveal hidden meanings. Such symbols, though simple, engage us on a primal level, tapping into the collective unconscious. The cyclical nature of these motifs reminds us that history is not linear, but a continuous return of fundamental human concerns and emotions.