Brabantse stuiver van Karel V, 1506-1555 1521 - 1529

This is a Brabantse stuiver, made of silver, dating from the period when Charles V of Habsburg was in power, between 1506 and 1555. Coins like this one were not just simple instruments of trade; they were powerful symbolic objects. They served as propaganda, visually communicating the ruler's authority and legitimacy to a wide audience. Consider the imagery: On one side, we see the coat of arms of Brabant, a region in the Low Countries, now part of Belgium and the Netherlands, over which Charles V ruled. On the other side, an elaborate cross hints at the religious authority underpinning his reign. These symbols were carefully chosen to project an image of power and stability. To understand this coin fully, we need to delve into the history of the Habsburg dynasty, their vast European territories, and the political and religious tensions of the 16th century. Numismatic collections, archival records, and historical texts can shed light on the social and institutional context that shaped the production and use of this coin.