Zeeuwse scheepjesschelling, 1791 1791

This Zeeuwse scheepjesschelling, a coin from the province of Zeeland, was struck in 1791. The design of the coin is dominated by a heraldic shield, crowned and quartered, set against the circular form of the coin itself. The lion rampant above stylized waves immediately signifies power and maritime identity. The coin’s circular boundary is not merely a physical limit but a formal device; it creates a self-contained world, reinforcing its value and authority. The inscription, carefully placed along the edge, acts as a frame, further emphasizing the central emblems. This arrangement invites us to consider the semiotic structure at play, where symbols of state are meticulously arranged to convey sovereignty and economic stability. Note how the relief of the lion and crown, though small in scale, are rendered with texture and depth. This formal choice makes the coin not just a means of exchange but a tactile expression of Zeeland's cultural and economic claims. The coin functions, therefore, as a concentrated site of meaning, where material and symbolic value are inextricably linked.