Groningse plak 1425 - 1506

This is the 'Groningse plak', a coin created by the city of Groningen, bearing the image of a lion. The lion, a symbol of strength and courage, has been a potent emblem across cultures. In ancient times, lions were associated with royalty and divine power, as seen in Egyptian and Mesopotamian art. Later, during the medieval period, the lion became a prominent heraldic symbol, representing valor and nobility in European coats of arms. The adoption of this emblem speaks to a deep, underlying desire for power and status. It can be found in myriad contexts, even in the most contemporary settings. Even now, as it appears on this coin, the lion transcends mere symbolism. It becomes a vessel through which we confront primal aspects of our own identities, a cycle of cultural memory, resurfacing to ignite something profound in our collective consciousness.