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

This is a one-cent coin from the Dutch colony of Veenhuizen, created by the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid, likely in the 19th century. The coin is a poignant reminder of the intersection between philanthropy, social control, and nascent capitalism. The Maatschappij van Weldadigheid, a Dutch philanthropic organization, established Veenhuizen as a settlement to rehabilitate the poor and vagrant through agriculture and industry. This coin, marked with "KV" for Kolonie Veenhuizen and "M" for Maatschappij, exemplifies the paternalistic approach of the institution. It wasn't just about providing a livelihood; it was about governing every aspect of life, including the local economy. Such tokens highlight the ambiguous position of art and institutions in the 19th century. Were these colonies truly benevolent efforts, or were they tools for social engineering? To understand this, we need to look at archival records, economic data, and even literature from the period. It is through this kind of detailed research that we can truly understand the complex meanings embedded in this simple coin.