Don Francisco de Moura, markgraaf van Castel Rodrigo, landvoogd der Spaanse Nederlanden 1664

This silver coin was made by Adriaan Waterloos to commemorate Don Francisco de Moura, governor of the Spanish Netherlands. It’s a small, dense object, cool to the touch, and heavy for its size due to its metallic composition. The coin's images and inscriptions are die-struck. This means they were created by hammering or pressing metal into a mold with the design incised within it. The resulting relief would have been crisp and precise when new. The method is linked to wider economies of labor and power, as the coin served to record and disseminate the governor’s status in a convenient, portable form. Note the coin's edges, which feature raised dots to deter shaving off precious metal. This detail hints at silver’s inherent value in the 17th century and the efforts needed to ensure the integrity of currency. Ultimately, this coin invites us to consider the intersection of craft, power, and commerce. What was the meaning of representing leadership through such a small, yet precious object?