Twelve emergency coins from Dutch cities Possibly 1578
balthasarwijntgens
silver
natural stone pattern
3d sculpting
silver
3d printed part
rounded shape
detailed texture
sculptural image
unrealistic statue
3d shape
stoneware
curved surface
"Twelve emergency coins from Dutch cities" is a series of 12 coins that were minted in 1578 during the Dutch Revolt, also known as the Eighty Years' War. The coins are made of silver and feature the image of a double-headed eagle, which is a symbol of the Holy Roman Empire. The inscription on the coin reads "SVD. AVG. 78. REG. IN. V", which stands for "Sacrum Imperium Romanum", or "Holy Roman Empire". The coins were minted by Balthasar Wijntgens, a Dutch engraver and medallist who lived from 1577 to 1592. The coins are considered to be a valuable piece of Dutch history, and are displayed in museums and private collections around the world.
Comments
The cities besieged by the Spanish army for having revolted against Spanish rule in the 1570s experienced severe shortages of virtually everything, including money to pay the soldiers. Emergency money was therefore minted. Gold, silver, paper: anything in the cities under siege could be used as temporary currency.
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