Filips van Anjou accepteert de Spaanse troon, rekenpenning geslagen ter ere van N. Paignon, van het eerste provoostschap van de koophandel te Parijs 1700

This is a struck silver medal, or rekenpenning, commemorating Filips van Anjou's acceptance of the Spanish throne. Its monochromatic surface immediately directs our focus to the composition and finely detailed relief. The arrangement of imagery on both sides presents a formal exercise in heraldic symbolism and maritime power. On one side, allegorical figures flank a central emblem, their postures and the inscription above creating a balanced yet dynamic visual field. The reverse shows a ship at full sail, a powerful symbol rendered with meticulous attention to rigging and detail, suggesting both trade and dominion. The use of Latin inscriptions introduces a semiotic layer, invoking classical authority to legitimize contemporary events. The coin's structure as a medium of exchange and record underscores the intersection of economics, politics, and representation, inviting us to consider how power is not only wielded but also codified and circulated. The very form of this coin invites handling and scrutiny. It is a reminder that art objects, even those of seemingly minor scale, operate within a network of cultural and philosophical meanings that extend far beyond their immediate aesthetic qualities.