Frederik de Marselaer, achtendertigste intendant van de vaart van Brussel Possibly 1654

This small metal object is a coin commemorating Frederik de Marselaer, the thirty-eighth intendant of the Brussels canal. Although the artist remains anonymous, the dense imagery and inscription convey significant cultural information. The coin’s composition is divided into two distinct sides, each conveying different symbolic information. One side depicts a detailed maritime scene, complete with ships, water, and architectural structures, set against an inscription. The reverse features a heraldic shield surrounded by decorative flourishes and another circular inscription. The condition of the coin—corroded and worn—creates a textural complexity that destabilizes any clear reading of its imagery. This degradation introduces an element of chance, altering its original form and meaning. The coin’s function transcends mere currency; it acts as a historical artifact, embodying power and memory. Its incompleteness invites ongoing interpretation.