Penning ter ere van het vijftigjarig bestaan van het door Henri Daniel Guyot opgerichte Instituut voor Doofstommen te Groningen 1840

This silver penning was made by David van der Kellen to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the Institute for the Deaf in Groningen. The coin's circular form invites us to consider the cyclical nature of commemoration. On one side, the incised profile of Henri Daniel Guyot is framed by an inscription. Here, line and text create a semiotic code, conferring not just identity but also cultural value. On the reverse, the inscription "God gaf de Vlijtigen loon" (God gave the diligent their reward) suggests a divine sanctioning of earthly efforts, linking religious belief with institutional success. The oak leaf wreath surrounding the text evokes classical ideals of virtue and achievement. Consider how the coin's materiality—its weight and metallic sheen—lend a sense of permanence, designed to withstand the shifting sands of cultural memory. Coins such as this exemplify how power structures are materialized and preserved through symbolic forms.