Huwelijk van aartshertog Albrecht van Oostenrijk en Isabella, infanta van Spanje 1598 - 1599

This lead coin of approximately 4cm in diameter, was made by Jean de Montfort to commemorate the marriage of Archduke Albrecht of Austria to Isabella, the Infanta of Spain. It serves as a symbol of power and political alliance within the European monarchies. Coins, like this one, made during the 16th and 17th centuries weren’t just currency; they were tools to broadcast royal imagery and legitimize a ruler's power. The act of depicting Albrecht and Isabella together signifies the union of two powerful houses, reinforcing their combined authority. The choice of lead, a less precious material than gold or silver, might suggest a broader distribution, aiming to disseminate the royal image among a wider audience.