Hendrik II, koning van Frankrijk 1600 - 1650

This silver coin portrays Henry II, King of France. On one side, we see the king’s profile, adorned with a laurel wreath. This symbol, echoing ancient Roman emperors, signifies triumph and eternal glory. Turn the coin, and you see a female figure, likely Pax, the Roman goddess of peace. She holds a caduceus, a symbol of commerce and negotiation, and an olive branch, emblems of concord. But above her, cherubic figures bear arms, and the inscription reads "She moves both arms and peace." A dichotomy emerges, hinting at a complex relationship between power and peace. The olive branch, ubiquitous in classical art, finds echoes in Christian iconography, symbolizing divine reconciliation. Yet, here it's juxtaposed with symbols of war, revealing a psychological tension. Such duality, the interplay of opposing forces, reminds us that history, like the human psyche, is never simple. The image resonates with the eternal recurrence of conflict and resolution, a pattern deeply embedded in our cultural memory.