Hollandse penning van Floris V, 1256-1296 1293 - 1296

This is a silver Hollandse penning, a coin, made by Floris V, Count of Holland and Zeeland, sometime between 1256 and 1296. The image on the coin is more than just a portrait; it's a statement of power. Consider the context: in medieval Holland, coinage was a crucial tool for asserting authority and controlling economic activity. By placing his own image on the coin, Floris V was visually linking himself to the flow of wealth and trade in his territories. The use of imagery was carefully considered. The iconography, including the style of portraiture, would have been understood within the visual codes of the time. This coin reflects not just the individual figure of Floris V, but the broader social and political structures of the County of Holland. To truly understand this coin, we delve into the archives, studying the economic policies, political rivalries, and social structures of the time. It’s a potent reminder that even the smallest objects can offer insights into the social and institutional forces that shaped the past.