Willem II, hertog van Gulik en Kleef 1574

This undated coin portraying Willem II, Duke of Gulik and Cleves, was made by an anonymous artist. It offers insight into the public role of imagery in early modern Europe. The coin bears an image of Lady Justice, seated with scales, as well as a complex heraldic crest. These symbols, common visual codes during the period, reinforced the Duke’s authority and legitimacy. Made in a region now part of modern-day Germany, this coin reflects the intricate political landscape of the Holy Roman Empire. The imagery invokes concepts of justice and divine right, key ideological components of governance. Numismatic objects like this can reveal much about the values and power structures of the time. By researching historical archives and comparing similar artifacts, we can understand how rulers like Willem II sought to legitimize their authority through visual representation, and how institutions played a part in the dissemination of politically potent imagery.