Nazien van de munt van Harderwijk 1771

This coin or medal, was made by Carel Christiaan Novisadi. The medal presents two contrasting visual fields, each structured around distinct symbolic arrangements. On one side, a female figure stands almost weightlessly, draped in fabric. Notice how she is set against more solid forms and objects in the background. Her pose and the flowing fabric create a dynamic tension, a sense of movement and instability. In contrast, the reverse is dominated by text, framed by decorative elements and an intricate coat of arms at the top. These features suggest a world of order, authority, and established hierarchy. The relationship between these two sides invites us to consider how symbolic representations of power and identity are constructed and communicated. What cultural codes can we decode when looking at it through the lens of semiotics?