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

This copper coin, of unknown date and origin, embodies a complex narrative about welfare and social control. The coin is a circle, but notice it's not a perfect one, instead it's been slightly worn and battered. On the obverse, stamped lettering and numerals are divided into separate registers: ‘3-C’ over ‘K.V’ and ‘30’ which give the coin an unusual sense of internal organization. The rigid, almost bureaucratic arrangement is stark. Each character is like a signifier, a key to understanding the coin’s function. The ‘K.V’ likely refers to 'Kolonie Veenhuizen,’ while the ‘30’ denotes its value in cents. The reverse presents a crude depiction of a structure, presumably representing the institution itself. This isn't just currency; it's a token of regulated existence, a stark reminder of the power structures embedded even in everyday objects. It stands as a potent symbol of social engineering, prompting us to question the values and structures within which currency operates.