Hendrik van Ruysschenberch, baljuw van Biesse bij Maastricht 1588

This coin, dedicated to Hendrik van Ruysschenberch, made by an anonymous artist, is made of copper. The coin's circular form and the relief of its imagery were achieved through striking, a process that involves hammering the metal between two dies. Copper is a relatively soft, malleable metal that is well-suited to this process. However, the process of minting coins can be a social and political act. The metal itself is tied to systems of labour and extraction, and the images and text impressed upon the coin communicate specific ideologies. In this case, we see a coat of arms and Latin inscription, highlighting the power and status of its dedicatee. Even a humble coin can be understood as a complex artifact shaped by materiality, making, and social context. It compels us to look beyond traditional distinctions between art, craft, and everyday objects.