Zeeuwse scheepjesschelling, 1780 1780

This is a silver "scheepjesschelling", or ship shilling, made in the Dutch province of Zeeland in 1780. Coins such as this were formed through a process of die-striking, a skilled form of metalworking. Two hardened steel dies, engraved with a mirror image of the coin’s design, were hammered together, impressing the image on a metal blank. The coin’s design features a heraldic shield with a lion emerging from waves, reflecting Zeeland’s maritime identity and reliance on trade. As currency, this shilling facilitated exchange and commerce, embedding it within the economic life of the province and the wider world of Dutch trade. The coin’s small size belies its importance as a tool of early capitalism, representing value and enabling transactions. The production of this coin depended on both skilled labor and established trade networks. By considering this object’s material and context, we recognize that even everyday items are rich with social and cultural meaning.