Verheffing van Ferdinand tot Rooms koning 1531

This small silver coin, now in the Rijksmuseum, commemorates Ferdinand’s coronation as King. Though the maker is unknown, it would have taken considerable skill to produce. Consider the material: silver, a precious metal, would have been carefully weighed and alloyed. Then, the coin would have been struck, using dies engraved with Ferdinand’s portrait and Latin inscriptions. This process, though mechanized even at the time, still relied on human expertise to ensure a clean, legible image. The small hole suggests it was worn as a pendant, perhaps as a token of loyalty, belief or support. Coins like these offer a fascinating insight into the intersection of craft, politics, and economics. More than just currency, they were powerful symbols of sovereignty, carefully crafted to convey authority. The act of minting and distributing them was a means of consolidating power. This coin then isn’t just a piece of metal; it is a miniature sculpture, charged with cultural and political significance.