Utrechtse stuiver van David van Bourgondië, 1455-1496 1455 - 1496

The Utrecht "stuiver" was designed by David van Bourgondië, the Bishop of Utrecht, sometime between 1455 and 1496. The coin’s circular form and material speak of value, authority and exchange. Note how the design's concentric circles create distinct yet connected spaces: An inner field containing the image and an outer band of lettering, inviting a reading from periphery to core. Despite its small size, the “stuiver” is replete with architectural details, perhaps alluding to Utrecht's urban landscape or the power of the church. The lines define boundaries and spaces, suggesting structure and order, while the overall impression is softened by wear, use and the nature of the material itself. This interplay between deliberate design and the unpredictable nature of time destabilizes any fixed meaning and value. It prompts us to consider how art and meaning exist not as static entities but within a continual process of exchange and re-evaluation.