Verovering van Portugal en inname van Doornik door Alessandro Farnese, prins van Parma en Piacenza benoemd, landvoogd der Nederlanden, rekenpenning van de raad van Financien 1581

This anonymous coin celebrates Alessandro Farnese's military successes. On one side, we see a complex heraldic shield, a potent symbol of power, lineage, and authority. These emblems, born in the medieval jousting fields, evolved into sophisticated declarations of identity. Consider how the shield, a defensive tool, became an offensive claim of dominion, appearing on coins like this, architecture, and even in the very fabric of society. Throughout history, the shield's symbolism transcends its protective function, echoing in the classical world with the Roman scutum and finding new life in modern corporate logos. The emotional power of such symbols lies in their ability to evoke deep-seated feelings of loyalty, fear, and aspiration. Their recurring presence in art and culture speaks to our collective memory and the enduring human need for identity. We see the non-linear progression of symbols, resurfacing, evolving, and taking on new meanings across time.