Overijsselse statenoord op naam van Philips II 1577 - 1578

This bronze coin, minted by the province of Overijssel, bears the name of Philip II. Note how the profile portrait, encircled by an inscription, evokes a sense of authority and power, common in ancient Roman coinage. This image of the ruler, presented in profile, reminds us of the classical tradition of imperial portraiture, where the ruler’s likeness was a symbol of state power. Think of the Roman emperors whose profiles adorned coins, spreading their image and authority across vast territories. The very act of placing a ruler’s image on currency speaks to an attempt to control not just the economic, but also the symbolic and psychological landscape of a realm. The weight of history presses upon this coin. Its motifs echo through time, demonstrating how symbols of power are continually reshaped and reinterpreted. It reflects our collective memory and subconscious desires.