Cent van Nederlands Indië,1837 1837

This one cent coin from the Dutch East Indies was designed in 1837 under the reign of Willem I, King of the Netherlands. It’s a small copper object, but it represents so much more than its monetary value. Consider this coin as a material artifact deeply embedded in the history of Dutch colonialism. It speaks volumes about the economic exploitation and political dominance exerted over the Indonesian archipelago. These coins were the everyday currency of an oppressive regime, facilitating the extraction of resources and labor. This coin tells a story of how economies can be tools of empire. It also invites us to think about the legacy of colonialism in shaping contemporary global inequalities, and encourages us to reflect on the human cost of economic systems that prioritize profit over people.