Huwelijk van Filips de Schone, hertog van Bourgondie met Johanna, prinses van Castillie, rekenpenning van de rekenkamer van Holland 1496

This is a bronze accounting token which commemorates the marriage of Philip the Handsome, Duke of Burgundy, to Joanna, Princess of Castile. The token, commissioned by the Chamber of Accounts of Holland, is a fascinating artifact that embodies dynastic ambition and political strategy. Marriage was frequently deployed as a tool to consolidate power. Joanna, often referred to as Joanna the Mad, inherited the throne of Castile, and her union with Philip set the stage for the Habsburg dynasty's expansion into Spain. On one side of the token, we see the conjoined portraits of Philip and Joanna, symbolizing their union and shared rule. The reverse features the heraldic arms, emblems of their respective noble houses. This token not only documents a marriage but also serves as a reminder of the individuals whose lives were shaped—and sometimes sacrificed—in the pursuit of political power. It invites us to consider the human stories behind the grand narratives of history, and to reflect on the emotional and personal dimensions of political events.