Opening van het tentoonstellingsgebouw van Crystal Palace te Sydenham 1862 1862

This coin by G. Dowler commemorates the opening of the Crystal Palace exhibition building in Sydenham in 1862. The coin presents two elevations of the building, its structure defined by crisp lines against the flat, neutral ground of the coin. Both sides emphasize the Crystal Palace's architecture, a linear arrangement of repeated arched forms. The symmetry in its layout gives a sense of order, reflecting the Victorian fascination with rational organization and progress. The careful arrangement of textual information around the building images underscores a desire for clarity and control. However, the texture and wear on the coin introduce an element of chance and entropy. The patinated surface softens the edges and adds depth, suggesting a constant interplay between intention and accident. In this way, Dowler's coin embodies a Victorian-era tension between the precision of industrial design and the unpredictable effects of time.