Karel V, Duits keizer, rekenpenning van de raad van Financiën 1554

Curator: This is a fascinating object; it’s a coin from 1554 commemorating Karel V, or Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. The piece comes from the Rijksmuseum collection and is described as a rekenpenning, or reckoning penny, made for the Council of Finances. Editor: My first thought is, "What a weighty little thing." It's small, of course, but the metal and the depth of the relief give it such presence. Almost somber, in a way, capturing something of the emperor's authority. Curator: Yes, the sobriety connects, I think, to its purpose. These weren’t exactly for spending. Instead, images such as this, often struck in precious metal, become shorthand representations of power structures, the idea of economic prosperity rendered visible and made tangible. They carry deep symbolism. Editor: Absolutely. Consider how access to, and control of, coinage has historically equated to social power. This particular penny performs the crucial function of legitimizing the ruling Council. In one view, it shows a double image, and in the other, what appears to be an eagle and rays of sunshine. Even in a tiny item such as this, we witness power being consolidated and projected through calculated imagery. Curator: Look closely and the pillars resemble heraldic symbols which traditionally express family, state, or office. What do we see twice here? Well, the Habsburg double-headed eagle surmounts the “Pillars of Hercules," one atop Gibraltar and the other in Ceuta. Together with Charles’ motto, "Plus Ultra" beyond the pillars, denoting "there is more beyond". The pillars and their motto allude to Charles' power beyond even the known world. Editor: Right, the message couldn’t be clearer: this council, and the empire it serves, is expansive, divinely ordained and, importantly, financially sound. It’s remarkable how much of a worldview can be communicated in something so small. The phrase A. Domini highlights religion's presence and significance at the time, demonstrating an individual’s or state’s power within society, using symbolic cues. Curator: In an age before mass communication, images like this coin became crucial tools of messaging and self-definition. It makes me think of the importance of carefully considered imagery, then and now. Editor: Exactly. By reflecting on items such as this coin we are prompted to explore power relationships in visual representation, considering its impact in modern society and how different people have different levels of influence.