Duit voor Nederlands Indië uit Holland,1802 1802

This is a copper duit, or coin, for the Dutch East Indies made in 1802 by the Batavian Republic. The coin offers us a glimpse into the complex relationship between the Netherlands and its colonies, and marks a pivotal moment in Dutch colonial history. The Batavian Republic, a short-lived revolutionary state heavily influenced by France, took control of the Dutch colonies at the end of the 18th century. The coin was a tangible manifestation of Dutch economic and political control over the East Indies. It reminds us of the exploitation of resources and labor, the imposition of European systems of governance, and the erasure of local identities in the name of colonial power. As a means of exchange, this small copper coin evokes the immense human cost of colonialism. The "Duit voor Nederlands Indië" serves as a potent reminder of the legacies of colonialism that continue to shape our world.