Strafgevangenis Ommerschans, huismunt geslagen op last van de Maatschappij van Weldadigheid ter waarde van 25 cent after 1822

This small, square-shaped, metal token, minted in 1822, was used as a form of currency in the Strafgevangenis Ommerschans, a prison in the Netherlands. The token, worth 25 cents, was made by the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid, a Dutch organization promoting social reform. The prison, a notable example of early 19th-century penal reform, employed a system of work and education for prisoners. This small token is a fascinating glimpse into the history of prison life and the unique forms of currency that existed in the past.