Tien stuiver, noodmunt uit Pernambuco, geslagen tijdens het beleg op last van de Nederlandse Westindische Compagnie 1654

This is a ten stuiver coin, or 'dubbeltje,' made from silver in Pernambuco by order of the Dutch West India Company. Its square shape is unusual; most coins are round. The Dutch West India Company minted it during a siege, when materials were scarce. The die-stamping is clear enough, but the rough edges and form tell of an urgent, expedient manufacture. This coin wasn't made according to the usual standards, and tells a story of political and economic pressure. In minting this coin, the Dutch West India Company weren't just making money; they were asserting authority in a time of crisis. When we look at the materials and making of objects like this, we understand how profoundly they can reflect history. This little silver square isn't just a coin; it's a symbol of a company's struggle to maintain control.