Strafgevangenis te 's-Hertogenbosch, huismunt ter waarde van vijf cent 1824 - 1831

This coin, likely made during the 19th century in the Netherlands, specifically at the 's-Hertogenbosch prison, is more than just a piece of currency; it’s a window into the social conditions of its time. The coin represents a five-cent value, but its origins within a prison context change everything. We must ask ourselves, what does it mean to have a currency minted within the walls of a correctional facility? It speaks to the economic realities of incarceration, where labor and commerce persisted. The coin itself, made from base metal and crudely stamped, reflects the limited resources and perhaps the social standing of those who used it. By examining archival records, prison ledgers, and social histories, we can begin to understand the power dynamics at play here. This little coin reminds us that the meaning of art, even utilitarian objects like currency, is deeply entwined with its social and institutional context.