Reaal van achten, geslagen te Mexico, munt uit het wrak van de Oost-Indiëvaarder 't Vliegend Hart 1730

This silver coin was minted in Mexico by Nicolas de Roxes. What’s fascinating is that it was recovered from the wreck of the Dutch East Indiaman 't Vliegend Hart. The coin's rough edges and worn surface tell a story of maritime trade and misadventure. Struck from silver, probably mined in the Americas, it features the marks of its origin. The process of minting, likely involving casting, hammering and stamping, has imbued the coin with social and cultural significance. The crudeness of these methods are clearly visible on the coin's surface. Coins like these were the lifeblood of global commerce, connecting distant lands through trade. This particular piece, lost at sea, reminds us of the risks and rewards of early capitalism and the labor that sustained it. It serves as a poignant reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense historical weight.