Kreuzer, noodmunt uit Praag op naam van Maria Theresia, geslagen tijdens het beleg door de Pruisen 1757

This kreuzer, or small coin, was made in Prague by an anonymous artist during the Prussian siege, and bears the name of Maria Theresa. It's a humble object, just under two centimeters in diameter, yet it speaks volumes about power, identity, and resilience. Maria Theresa, a woman in power, faced numerous challenges to her reign, including wars and succession crises. As a female ruler in a male-dominated world, her image on this coin is a statement of authority, yet this emergency currency suggests a state under duress. Consider the material: likely a base metal, quickly and cheaply struck. The coin's crudeness tells a story of a city under siege, where resources were scarce, and normal economic activities disrupted. The kreuzer isn't just a piece of currency; it's a material witness to a time of conflict, reflecting the complex interplay of gender, power, and survival during wartime.