Filips van Lalaing, landvoogd van Henegouwen 1575

This small coin, depicting Filips van Lalaing, landvoogd van Henegouwen, was made anonymously from copper. The process of minting coins like this one was a complex affair involving multiple steps: smelting and refining the base metal, striking the coin with a die, and weighing to ensure proper value. Consider how the material itself, base metal rather than silver or gold, reflects the social standing of its commissioner. Notice also the small hole; it speaks of the coins use not just as currency, but as something worn, even kept as a memento. Minting has always been tied to power, wealth, and the control of resources. As such, this humble copper coin provides a tangible link to a broader economic system and the labor involved in producing wealth. So while it may seem a minor object, it provides a valuable window onto the social and economic landscape of its time.