Kroning van Frans I tot Duits keizer 1745

This silver coin commemorates the coronation of Francis I as Holy Roman Emperor in 1745. Although the artist remains anonymous, this piece serves as a material record of 18th-century European power structures. The Latin inscriptions and the imagery on the coin not only document a historical event, but they also communicate the aspirations and authority of the Habsburg monarchy. We see this most clearly with the symbolic representation of imperial power through the crown and the altar. Consider the broader context: Francis I's reign was during a period of significant political and social upheaval, marked by conflicts and shifting alliances. This coronation was therefore an attempt to solidify the Habsburg's authority and legitimacy amidst challenges to their rule. The coin can act as a window into the complexities of identity and power in the 18th century.