Kwart gulden, noodmunt uit Leiden, geslagen tijdens het beleg 1574

This small, silver coin, known as a "noodmunt," was struck in Leiden in 1574 during the Siege of Leiden. The Siege of Leiden was a pivotal moment in the Eighty Years' War, a conflict between the Dutch and the Spanish Habsburgs for independence. The city of Leiden, a stronghold of Dutch resistance, was under siege by Spanish forces. The coin, with its inscription "LUG DUNV BATAV RVVM," or "The City of the Dutch Batavians", was minted to boost morale and finance the city's defenses during this crucial time. The coin's small size and weight reflect the desperate circumstances under which it was produced. Today, it serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the Dutch people in their fight for independence.