Hollandse penning van Floris IV, 1222-1234 1222 - 1234

Curator: Oh, look at this piece – a silver Dutch penny dating all the way back to the early 13th century, specifically minted during Floris IV's reign. What strikes you about it? Editor: The way the light catches on its surface gives it an almost ethereal, ghostly feel. I imagine this coin was held and used, passed around for some time, you know. And it is surprisingly crude, almost brutal. It is the kind of object that links you directly with such ancient times. Curator: Precisely, its tangible presence transports us back to the bustling markets and everyday exchanges of medieval Holland. Editor: Well, the portrait itself—rather stylized. What do you see there? A clear demonstration of power or maybe simply the constraints of the engraving technique of the time? Curator: Perhaps a blend of both! The die engraver was working within the artistic conventions of the era but also, certainly, portraying the Count as he wanted to be seen by his people. Every little detail reinforces an idealized image of the ruling figure. And these pennies were widely circulated, quite accessible. Editor: Yes. And looking at its worn edges, you wonder how many hands it passed through. Someone’s weekly bread, maybe a tax payment... There's a beautiful poetry there! Did they mint these in the area around Haarlem or Leiden, do you know? Curator: Good question! Minting was often a localized operation. The technology hadn't evolved sufficiently to permit wide-scale centralized production. Editor: It’s like holding a tiny piece of the 13th century, with all its secrets and untold stories, within the palm of one's hand. That kind of silent testimony... is genuinely thrilling! Curator: Absolutely. And analyzing its form, composition, and materials offers us glimpses into the semiotics and societal structures of that period. Every tiny artifact from times gone by... almost miraculously encapsulates whole ages. Editor: A wonderful way to view our past... in the here and now!