Penning met een embleem en de namen van de graven van Vlaanderen 1685 - 1720

This circular emblem, illustrating the names of the Counts of Flanders, presents us with a fascinating array of symbols, rich with historical and cultural meaning. At its heart, the walled city signifies security and prosperity, encapsulating the spirit of the region. The architectural representation of a city in this emblem evokes the 'urbs' archetype, a motif resonating across diverse epochs. Consider how walled cities appear in Roman coins or medieval tapestries. There, as here, the city embodies civilization, order, and the collective identity of its inhabitants. However, the presence of the citizens, rendered small and seemingly fragile outside the walls, elicits a feeling of unease. The psychological tension between the desire for safety within the city and the lurking dangers outside is a recurrent theme in human history. This emblem, through its carefully chosen symbols, encapsulates the eternal dialectic between security and threat, a drama played out on the stage of human existence.