Reaal van achten, geslagen te Mexico, munt uit het wrak van de Oost-Indiëvaarder 't Vliegend Hart

This silver coin, or "Reaal van achten", was minted in Mexico by Felipe Rivas de Angelo. It was recovered from the wreck of the Dutch East India ship, 't Vliegend Hart. Coins like this were critical to global trade, and silver was the sinew that held the system together. Think about the labour that went into its creation. The mining of the raw material, the design of the die, the striking of the coin, all were highly skilled processes. The cross and other heraldic symbols pressed into its surface were made to represent power, and of course, promise monetary exchange. The irregular shape speaks to its history. It serves as a reminder of the risks inherent in maritime trade, and the human cost of colonialism. This object can tell us so much about the intertwined histories of craft, commerce, and empire.