Vroedschapspenning van de stad 's-Hertogenbosch 1739

This is a 'Vroedschapspenning van de stad 's-Hertogenbosch', made by Theodorus Everardus van Berckel. At just 2.8 cm in diameter, its small scale belies the grand imagery it contains, stamped in low relief to give a sense of depth and texture. The material – likely silver or a similar metal – lends a cool, formal tone, which contrasts with the lively, almost baroque composition of the scenes depicted on either side. On one side, we see an elaborate coat of arms flanked by figures, all rendered with careful attention to line and detail. The other side features a building, possibly a town hall, presented with a rigid symmetry that speaks to the architectural values of the time. The symmetry and heraldic elements reflect an ordered world and a clear hierarchy of power, but, the coin's very existence as a medium of exchange hints at the burgeoning economic shifts reshaping society. While the imagery promotes stability, the coin's circulation suggests a more fluid reality, one where meaning shifts with each transaction.