Huwelijk van Maximiliaan, aartshertog van Oostenrijk met Maria, hertogin van Bourgondie, rekenpenning van het graafschap Vlaanderen 1477

This is a copper-alloy coin commemorating the marriage of Maximilian of Austria to Mary of Burgundy. Though unsigned, it speaks volumes about the social and political context of its time. Made in Flanders, the coin broadcasts the alliance between the Habsburgs and the Burgundian State. The images of the couple were designed to cement an image of power and stability in a region known for its wealth and artistic innovation, but also for its complex web of political rivalries. Coins and medals in this period were not just currency; they were instruments of propaganda, meant to circulate messages of legitimacy and strength. Delving into archives, studying period accounts, and analyzing heraldic symbols are vital in understanding the nuanced messages embedded in such objects. The real meaning of this coin lies not just in its visual appeal, but also in the complex social and institutional forces that shaped its creation and use.