Tappersgilde van Vlissingen 1657

This silver medal of the Vlissingen Tappers Guild was made in 1657 by an anonymous artist. Looking at this coin, you might want to consider the role of guilds in 17th-century Dutch society. Guilds like the Tappers, who regulated the sale of beer and wine, were powerful institutions with a great deal of social and economic influence. The imagery on the coin, with its focus on drinking vessels and heraldic symbols, speaks to the guild’s identity and status within the community. The coin is a fascinating window into the social world of the Dutch Golden Age. It is of interest to historians to consider the ways in which guilds shaped urban life, regulated trade, and fostered a sense of collective identity among their members. By consulting archival records, guild documents, and other historical sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the coin’s significance and its place within the broader social and cultural landscape of the time.