Filips III van Croy, hertog van Aarschot en Johanna van Halewijn en Commines 1562

This coin, of anonymous creation, features the conjoined coat of arms of Filips III van Croy and Johanna van Halewijn en Commines. The heraldic shield crowned with a coronet, is replete with symbols of power and lineage, a visual language instantly recognizable to those of the time. The symbolic power of heraldry, however, extends far beyond its immediate context. Think of the double-headed eagle, a motif from the ancient Near East, adopted by the Roman emperors, and later, by various European dynasties to signify dominion over both East and West. It echoes through time, a potent symbol of power and the cyclical nature of empires. The image strikes a chord deep within us, a subconscious recognition of archetypal symbols of authority and control. Symbols are not static; they evolve, adapt, and resurface, carrying with them the echoes of their past lives.