Derde gesticht van de strafkolonie Veenhuizen, huismunt geslagen op last van de Maatschappij van Weldadigheid ter waarde van tien cent 1818 - 1859

Here we see a humble ten-cent coin from the Veenhuizen penal colony, commissioned by the Society of Beneficence. Its circular form and copper material suggest an object of everyday exchange, yet its specific markings elevate it to a token of social experiment. The coin presents a stark, symmetrical division. Incised lettering, ‘3-G K-V 10’, possibly denotes sector, building, or value. The coin’s surface bears the marks of wear, each scratch and dent a trace of its circulation within the colony's walls. The anonymity of the artist underscores the collective nature of this object. As a medium of value exchange, this coin serves as a potent symbol of power and control. It invites reflection on the relationship between inscription, material, and meaning within the context of a closed institution. The coin’s rigid structure and controlled design reflect the social engineering of the penal colony itself, prompting us to consider how such designs both reflect and reinforce societal structures.