Verbond tussen Spanje en de Duitse keizer, rekenpenning geslagen ter ere van Filips IV, koning van Spanje 1664

This is a medal, struck in honour of Philip IV, King of Spain. Though unsigned, this bronze rekenpenning, or reckoning penny, embodies the political complexities of its time. Look closely, and you will see it attempts to represent an alliance between Spain and the Holy Roman Empire. But how does the image create this meaning? Notice the pillars, an important visual code for constancy and strength, joined by intertwining vegetation. The phrase 'STA.RVNT', alludes to steadfastness. This imagery would have resonated with the elite of the period, especially those involved in governance and trade. Understanding this medal requires a grasp of the political and economic landscape of 17th-century Europe. The Holy Roman Empire, with its ties to the Habsburgs, had long held an alliance with Spain, and medals such as these were an important tool in consolidating and disseminating political power. As historians, our role is to unpack these layers of meaning, to examine the cultural, social and institutional contexts that gave rise to such objects. Medals, like any artwork, do not exist in a vacuum, but are part of the ongoing dialogue between art, power, and society.