Westfriese dubbele stuiver, 1673 1673

This Westfriese dubbele stuiver was made in 1673 by the Landschap West-Friesland. Here, the letters ‘WF’ are prominently displayed, shorthand for West Friesland, the landscape or district in the province of North Holland, and ‘1673’ for the year the coin was minted. The letters, though simple, remind me of Egyptian hieroglyphs or ancient runes, each character a symbol loaded with meaning. Throughout time, symbols like these have served as powerful conveyors of identity, authority, and shared cultural values. Consider how heraldry in the Middle Ages or corporate logos today function similarly, branding their products with symbols that evoke trust, quality, or prestige. This stuiver is more than just a coin. It represents a tangible link to the past, a tiny vessel carrying the weight of economic exchange, the pride of a region, and the enduring human need to mark our presence in the world.