Hollandse scheepjesschelling, 1735 1735

This small silver coin called "Hollandse scheepjesschelling" was produced by the Province of Holland in 1735. At this time the Dutch Republic was a major maritime power, and the image of a ship on the coin is a clear symbol of this. But let's think about what this ship really represents. It's not just about trade or exploration; it also represents the Dutch colonial empire, and the exploitation and violence that came with it. The Dutch profited enormously from the slave trade and the extraction of resources from colonized lands. This coin, a symbol of Dutch prosperity, is therefore also a reminder of the human cost of that prosperity. Who was benefitting from the trade and the exploitation of resources at the time? How did this contribute to wealth inequality and social stratification? As you look at this coin, consider the complex legacy of the Dutch Golden Age, and the ways in which wealth and power were often built on the backs of others. What stories does it tell, and whose voices are missing?