Halve ecu, munt uit het prinsdom Orange op naam van Willem Hendrik, prins van Oranje 1651

This is an anonymous silver 'halve ecu' coin from the principality of Orange, dating back to 1651. Note how the coin's circular form is divided into two distinct faces, each bearing its own composition. One side presents a profile of Willem Hendrik, Prince of Orange, the other a crowned shield emblazoned with trefoils. Around each emblem runs a Latin inscription. The material itself – silver – lends a tactile, almost sculptural quality to the coin. The incised lines create texture and depth, inviting touch and close inspection. The visual structure conveys symbolic meaning, from the ruler’s profile that embodies power, to the heraldic emblems that signify identity and lineage. The semiotic system underscores how objects, even those as small as coins, operate within systems of representation and power. This circular object acts as a microcosm of larger societal structures and beliefs.