Hollandse kwart plak van Willem V, 1345-1389 1376 - 1378

This is a Hollandse kwart plak of Willem V, made between 1345 and 1389. Its circular form, though worn, speaks to the formal language of power and authority prevalent in medieval coinage. The coin’s design is structured around a central motif, likely a heraldic emblem, enclosed by a beaded circle. The texture of the silver is worn, but also reflects the era. It provides a sense of how symbolic forms were imbued with material value. The inscriptions, though fragmented, suggest a semiotic system. The coin is a symbolic gesture intended to legitimize the authority of Willem V. The structural arrangement of the central emblem and encircling text may be read in relation to broader societal codes.