Public domain
Twenty-eight stuiver; emergency coin from Leiden, struck during the siege, made from silver originating from churches and monasteries
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
Siege coins from Leiden, 1574. When towns were besieged for long periods money would often become scarce. In order to pay the soldiers who defended the town, for example, special coins were minted. When there was no more gold or silver, copper and tin were used. Coins were even made of pieces of layered paper. One of these paper coins from Leiden bears the motto: Haec Libertatis Ergo, 'this (is endured) for freedom'.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionCredit lineAchtentwintig stuiver; noodmunt uit Leiden, geslagen tijdens het beleg, vervaardigd uit zilver afkomstig van kerken en kloosters. 1574-07-10. anonymous. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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