Filips II, koning van Spanje, rekenpenning van de rekenkamer van Brabant te Brussel 1570

This is a bronze reckoning penny of Philip II, King of Spain, made anonymously for the Chamber of Accounts of Brabant in Brussels. The coin features the profile of Phillip II on one side, and on the other side, the crowned coat of arms with the lion of Brabant. The lion, a symbol of strength and courage, has a long and varied history. In ancient cultures, from Mesopotamia to Egypt, the lion embodied royalty and divine power. We see its resurgence in medieval heraldry, not just in Brabant but across Europe, signifying valor and nobility. This archetype continues to resonate, tapping into our collective unconscious associations of power. Here, the lion reminds us of the cyclical nature of symbols, resurfacing and evolving across time. Their meanings, once deeply rooted in myth and ritual, transform and adapt, yet continue to exert a profound psychological influence.