Beleg van Wismar door Christiaan V van Denemarken 1675

This silver coin, "Beleg van Wismar door Christiaan V van Denemarken," was designed by Johann Höhn. Its small scale belies the force of its imagery. The material, silver, is crucial here. It is valuable, of course, and that gives the coin a certain status as an object. But it is also a very workable metal, easy to impress with fine detail. Look closely and you can see the textures of the royal figures' hair and clothing. The image of the King on horseback becomes particularly vivid. Consider too the process by which this coin was made: die-stamping. This was a relatively recent innovation in the 17th century, and it allowed for the rapid production of many identical coins. Each one testified to the Danish monarchy's power. So while it might be tempting to dismiss this object as just a bit of pocket change, it is in fact a carefully considered piece of propaganda, made possible by sophisticated techniques. Material, making, and context – all essential ingredients for understanding design.