Plak van de Drie Steden, 1556 1556

This small lead coin, the Plak van de Drie Steden, was made in 1556 by the combined efforts of three cities. It represents an economic alliance between Delft, Leiden, and Rotterdam. Minted during a period of political upheaval, it symbolizes the power of civic cooperation in the face of external pressures from the Habsburg empire. The coin is not merely currency but a statement of solidarity and mutual defense. We see the coats of arms of each city united within a central triangle. A closer look at the inscriptions and heraldic symbols reveals a network of shared interests and aspirations. In times of weak central authority, cities often took it upon themselves to regulate trade and ensure stability. To truly understand this object, we might turn to guild records, civic archives, and trade documents. These sources would tell us about the concrete circumstances under which the alliance was formed and the precise benefits it provided. The meaning of this little coin lies in this social and institutional context.