Derde gesticht van de kolonie Veenhuizen, huismunt geslagen op last van de Maatschappij van Weldadigheid ter waarde van 1 cent 1818 - 1859

This is an anonymous coin which was commissioned for use in the Veenhuizen penal colony. At first glance, the coin’s circular form speaks to unity, but up close the rough edges suggest fragmentation. Its metallic sheen implies value, yet the simple stamped letters hint at a utilitarian function, sparking an interesting interplay between worth and use. Engraved upon the coin is a semiotic system with a dense social and cultural context. The letters "3-G" and "K.V. I" refer to the third institution of the Veenhuizen colony, with a value of 1 cent. A system of institutional control, its graphic lettering symbolizes order and uniformity. Yet the coin’s worn texture suggests a history of exchange, reflecting lives lived under a system of social reform. Ultimately, the coin is a fascinating example of how design can embody both the ideals of a society and the realities of everyday experience.