Zestig stuiver, noodmunt uit Breda, geslagen tijdens het beleg door Spinola 1625

Editor: So, this is "Zestig stuiver, noodmunt uit Breda, geslagen tijdens het beleg door Spinola", made in 1625. It’s currently held at the Rijksmuseum. The material is metal, and it's categorized as both a print and a sculpture – a curious combination! I am struck by the unusual shape; instead of the typical circular coin, it’s square! What catches your eye about this piece? Curator: Well, its very existence sings of desperation and ingenuity! Imagine being under siege, your city cut off, and regular currency becomes scarce. Suddenly, you need to *make* your own money! The diamond shape…it's like a little rebellious flag, isn’t it? Daring to be different amidst all that chaos. Editor: Absolutely! It’s like a historical "DIY" project born out of necessity. So the imagery, the lion, the inscription… what do they tell us? Curator: The lion is, of course, the Dutch lion, a symbol of the Netherlands. It’s like a defiant roar pressed into metal, declaring their identity amidst the Spanish siege. And that inscription—a cry for help, maybe? Or perhaps, a bold declaration that they will not be bowed. Can you see it? It almost vibrates with the urgency of the moment. The piece isn't trying to be aesthetically beautiful but functional and symbolically resonant. It whispers tales of resilience, doesn’t it? Editor: It does. You’ve helped me see beyond just a historical object; it’s a miniature monument to resilience. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure. Each of these objects holds echoes of forgotten dramas; all we need do is listen.