Joan Baptist Roessoens, rentmeester-generaal van de stad Antwerpen 1673

This token was created in 1673 for Joan Baptist Roessoens, rentmeester-generaal of the city of Antwerp, but its maker is now anonymous. The emblems here speak volumes, especially the eagle and the building beneath, all encircled by floral motifs. The eagle, a symbol of power and foresight, has soared through history, from Roman imperial standards to heraldic crests across Europe. Its presence here likely signifies authority and dominion. Similarly, the building suggests stability and perhaps the physical embodiment of Roessoens' administrative role within the city. Consider how these motifs—the commanding eagle, the steadfast building—echo in other contexts. Think of the American bald eagle, or even the architecture of ancient Rome, each carrying its own cultural and psychological weight. The phrase "NIET VOOR WIEL DOEN!" and the hand are less clear, but they speak of a particular message that the patron wished to promote. These symbols are not static, but rather fluid, constantly shaped by cultural memory and subconscious processes.