Utrechtse zilveren rijder, 1759 1759

Editor: This striking silver Utrecht Rider coin, dating back to 1759, presents a powerful figure on horseback, sword raised high! The metal engraving in relief almost feels like a miniature sculpture. What strikes me is the classic yet heroic posture and the inscription circling the image, can you make sense of this historical artifact? Curator: Ah, yes, this little champion of Utrecht. Isn't it marvelous how a simple coin can whisper tales of identity? For me, the rider isn't just a noble figure. It’s an embodiment of the province’s spirit. Note how deliberately he is posed – the upright posture, the sword. All underscoring the message: "We are Utrecht and we are ready to defend ourselves.” The inscription *'MON. NO. ARG. CON. FOE. BELG. PRO. TRAI'* suggests its declaration as new silver money for the province Utrecht who defends the treaty of the Netherlands, how neat is that? Now, the artist certainly played with perspective, don't you think? Making the rider a focal point on such a limited area. Editor: I see what you mean about perspective. I had not considered it beyond the central image. Do you find any tension between the idealized rider and the coin's practical use? Curator: Good question! The coin itself serves practical economic needs, but this heroic image transforms it, imbuing it with narrative, cultural value. It becomes a tiny, portable billboard. Editor: So, more than just money, it is an ingenious propaganda, so to speak? Thanks, it's interesting to see how something as small as a coin can contain so much meaning and intention. Curator: Exactly! And remember that the story lives in our perceptions, each time a new pair of eyes rest on it.