Strafgevangenis Ommerschans, huismunt geslagen op last van de Maatschappij van Weldadigheid ter waarde van 1 cent before 1830

This anonymous coin, a house currency of the Ommerschans penal colony, presents a stark materiality. The rough, grey metal and crude stamping of ‘1 C’ evoke a sense of austerity. The circular form, typically associated with unity and completeness, here feels almost oppressive due to the uneven edges and worn texture. The dotted semi-circle around the coin's lower perimeter functions as a deconstructed frame, emphasizing containment rather than openness. Coins are symbolic objects, representing value and exchange within a social structure. This coin, however, complicates that symbolism. Confined within the prison walls, its value is not universal but insular. The lack of refinement and the base metal undermine the conventional associations of currency with prosperity and freedom. The coin questions the very notion of worth and the conditions under which it is determined, reflecting a bleak commentary on social control and the marginalization of those deemed outside the normal circuit of exchange.