Vijftigjarig bestaan van het Letterkundig Genootschap Demosthenes te Deventer 1864

This small, silver coin commemorates the fiftieth anniversary of the Literary Society Demosthenes in Deventer. Its circular form immediately suggests themes of unity and continuity, principles around which societies often organize themselves. The coin’s design is divided into two distinct sides, each conveying symbolic meaning. On one side, a crowned coat of arms suggests authority and tradition, encircled by the society’s name. The other side features what appears to be a heraldic emblem along with a date. The circular inscription frames these central images, creating a self-contained world of meaning. The condition of the silver, weathered and worn, adds another layer to its interpretation. This patina speaks of age and endurance, reflecting the society’s long history. It also prompts us to consider the coin not just as a marker of an event, but as a material object that has survived time, bearing witness to cultural and social changes.