Dimensions: diameter 2.3 cm, diameter 2.4 , weight 28 gr
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This small, anonymous coin, struck for the Veenhuizen colony, bears simple yet potent symbols of its time. The letters and numbers, meticulously stamped, speak to the values of order, industry, and control inherent in such institutions. Consider the imagery of classical coins, emblems of power and prosperity. Yet here, the execution is stark. Instead of emperors or gods, we find a utilitarian inscription – a marker of value within a contained society. This echoes the function of money itself as a symbolic representation of value. The numerical "5," denoting its worth, recalls the use of numbers throughout history, from ancient talismans to modern cryptography. The number carries cultural and psychological weight, imbued with meanings beyond its mere quantitative value. This humble coin serves as a poignant reminder of how symbols, even in their most basic form, can encapsulate entire ideologies, reflecting collective anxieties and aspirations across generations. It is a testament to the cyclical nature of human experience, where motifs resurface, evolve, and acquire new significance in the ever-changing tapestry of history.
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