Thierry de Mol en Albertin Frenier, burgemeesters van Brussel 1482

This coin, depicting Thierry de Mol en Albertin Frenier, burgemeesters van Brussel, was made by an anonymous artist through a process of die-striking. The coin's material, likely a base metal like copper or bronze, speaks to its function as a means of exchange, its size and weight carefully calibrated for commerce. The intricate details—the portraits, heraldic symbols, and surrounding text—were achieved by engraving a die with a reverse image and then forcefully stamping it onto a metal blank. The coin’s design, including the images of the leaders and coats of arms, would have been carefully considered for its cultural significance, communicating power and legitimacy. The act of producing currency is deeply tied to social issues of labor, politics, and consumption. Coins like this facilitated trade and taxation, connecting people through economic systems. Appreciating this coin means seeing it not just as an object, but as a record of economic practices, and of the relationship between craft, governance, and everyday life.