Zeeuwse snaphaanschelling, 1583 1583

This is a Zeeuwse snaphaanschelling, a coin made of silver in the province of Zeeland in 1583. It reflects the complex politics of the Netherlands at this time. In the late 16th century, the Dutch provinces were in open revolt against the Spanish Habsburgs. Zeeland was one of the first regions to join the rebellion, and this coin was minted as a symbol of its sovereignty. On one side, we see the Zeeland coat of arms, with a lion emerging from the sea. Above, a snaphaan, an early type of musket, signifies the province's commitment to armed resistance. Coins like these served as propaganda, circulating a defiant message of independence. They show us the power of even small, everyday objects to embody the spirit of a people in revolt. To understand this coin fully, we can consult archives and historical records from the period, shedding light on the economic and political conditions that shaped its creation. It is a reminder that art, even in its most functional forms, is always embedded in a specific social and institutional context.