Overijsselse leeuwendaalder, 1677 1677

This is a silver Overijsselse leeuwendaalder, minted in the province of Overijssel in 1677. It serves as a poignant artifact from the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by unprecedented economic growth, global trade, and cultural flourishing but also a time deeply entwined with the complexities of colonialism. The lion depicted on the coin, a symbol of courage and strength, also evokes the complicated legacy of Dutch maritime power and its profound impact on global trade networks, including the exploitation of resources and people in colonized lands. The leeuwendaalder itself facilitated these exchanges, embodying both prosperity and the more troubling aspects of that prosperity. Consider how an object like this coin can connect us to both a sense of national pride and to questions of ethical responsibility. It is a reminder that every piece of history is multifaceted, inviting us to reflect on whose stories are told, and whose are often left out.