Anna tot koningin van Engeland gekozen 1702

This silver coin, celebrating Anna's reign as Queen of England, was created by John Croker, a master of the die-cutting process. Think about the labor involved in creating these coins. The material itself is significant. Silver has long been associated with value and power, often mined and traded across vast distances under the auspices of colonial projects. To create this coin, Croker would have used specialized tools to cut the design into a steel die. This die would then be used to strike the image onto the silver blank, a process demanding precision and skill, and a mechanism of valuation across society. Look closely, you can see the detailed portrait of Queen Anne, as well as symbolic imagery of royalty. The very act of minting coins speaks to the power of the monarchy and the centralized control of the economy. By considering the material, the making, and the historical context, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and social meaning embedded within this coin, blurring the lines between craft, design, and fine art.