Dubbele stuiver, noodmunt uit Doornik door de bondgenoten ingenomen, geslagen op last van maarschalk de Surville Possibly 1709

This 'Dubbele Stuiver', or double penny, was struck in Doornik, likely during a siege. This isn't money as usual, but rather a "noodmunt" - a coinage of necessity. Made of simple copper, it’s a far cry from precious metals normally used for currency. The coin was probably cast, a relatively quick and dirty method, as opposed to being meticulously die-struck like other coins. See how the form has imperfections? That's the nature of the material asserting itself, showing how it resists being pressed into perfect uniformity. The allied forces under Marshal de Surville needed to pay their troops, and fast. This piece speaks of labor, politics, and consumption all rolled into one. Minting coins is usually the realm of governments. Here, the normal order has broken down. The production process is no longer about the smooth functioning of the state, but about urgent need. So next time you look at a coin, remember it’s more than just pocket change. It’s a little sculpture with big stories to tell.