1/10 gulden van Nederlands Indië, 1884 1884

This is a 1/10 gulden coin from the Dutch East Indies, minted in 1884 under the reign of Willem III. It's made of silver, a precious metal that has been used for coinage for centuries. The process of minting coins like this one was highly mechanized by the late 19th century, involving heavy machinery to stamp the design onto the metal. Silver's inherent qualities of malleability and durability made it ideal for this purpose. The coin's small size belies its enormous social and political significance. It was produced to facilitate trade within the Dutch colony, enabling the exploitation of labor and resources. This coin represents the colonial reach of the Netherlands, and the flow of wealth back to the mother country. It embodies a complex convergence of craft, industry, and global economics. Examining everyday objects like this coin allows us to consider the intricate relationships between materials, making, and the larger forces of history.