Wereldtentoonstelling te Antwerpen (Wyck ovd Antwerpen) 1894 1894

This commemorative coin by Jef van der Linden, celebrates the World Exhibition in Antwerp in 1894. These exhibitions were a product of the industrial revolution. They displayed innovations in science and technology and promoted international trade. The image on the coin signifies progress and modernity. A monumental structure, perhaps representing the exhibition hall itself, dominates one side. This visual vocabulary taps into the 19th-century belief in human advancement through industry and empire. The coin reflects the optimistic spirit of its time, yet we can also consider it critically. World exhibitions served as platforms for nations to showcase their power and wealth, often obscuring the realities of colonial exploitation and social inequality. To understand this object fully, historians consult a variety of sources. These range from exhibition catalogues to political cartoons. This helps us uncover the complex meanings embedded within this symbol of a bygone era. The value of this coin lies not only in its material composition but also in the stories it tells about a society in transition.