Makelaarsgilde van Amsterdam 1612

This silver guild coin, made by Hans Rogiers van Harelbeke, presents two sides of Amsterdam's mercantile identity. Each side of the coin is dominated by distinct imagery, yet both emphasize structure and order. One side features a detailed depiction of the Amsterdam Exchange building, a symbol of the city's economic power, crowned by the civic coat of arms. The building's architectural lines create a sense of depth and perspective, while the figures engaged in commerce suggest a dynamic social space. The reverse shows the coat of arms with rampant lions, set within a wreath. The rigid symmetry of the heraldic design is a demonstration of power and stability. The coin’s circular form, with imagery and symbolic meaning, encapsulates Amsterdam's self-image as a center of trade and civic pride. Its rigid lines and heraldic representations project an image of power, while the depiction of the exchange suggests the dynamism of the city.