Inspectie van de munt te Harderwijk, penning door muntmeester Johan Hensbergen aan de raden en generaalmuntmeester vereerd 1735

This silver coin was struck by Johannes Hensbergen, master of the Harderwijk mint, sometime before 1748. As a precious metal, silver has always been synonymous with wealth and power. Its cool luster and malleability have made it a favorite material of rulers looking to broadcast their status through coinage. The process of minting coins was highly specialized, relying on the skills of die cutters to produce detailed images in negative relief. These dies would have been struck repeatedly onto silver blanks. It's a physically demanding and precise process. This coin commemorates an inspection of the mint, as evidenced by the Latin inscription. The allegory of Justice is shown holding scales and leaning on a column decorated with flowers, symbols of integrity and prosperity. By gifting it to visiting dignitaries, Hensbergen would have hoped to convey a sense of confidence in the mint's operations. The coin thus speaks to a wider system of labor and governance, with the visual language of power expressed through the artistry of its making.