Verbranden van de theoloog Michael Servet te Geneve 1553

This is a coin of unknown date, minted by an anonymous artist to depict the burning of the theologian Michael Servet in Geneva. The coin’s circular form is divided into two distinct scenes, each defined by stark, linear figures and text. One side shows Servet’s execution, the figures are rendered with sharp outlines that emphasize the brutality of the event. This is graphically contrasted with the other side, which features a portrait of a man beside a lit candle. The portrait and candle are symbols of enlightenment. The coin is a study in contrasts, it uses simple shapes and forms to convey complex ideas about justice, faith, and power. The coin's circular shape and the mirrored composition of its two sides invite contemplation on the cyclical nature of history. It's a stark reminder of how symbols can encapsulate profound, often conflicting, aspects of the human experience.