Houten doosje bij munt Australië Vijfje 2006 before 2006

This commemorative coin and wooden box were made in 2006 by the Royal Dutch Mint to celebrate the bond between the Netherlands and Australia. The photograph shows two young girls holding a transparent globe, a potent symbol in its own right. Think of globes held by rulers in Renaissance portraiture, emblems of worldly power and dominion. Yet here, the globe appears fragile, suggesting perhaps a shared stewardship of the Earth rather than control over it. This evokes the notion of shared responsibility, a motif echoing ancient myths where humankind is entrusted with the care of the natural world. There’s an inherent vulnerability in the girls’ gesture, hands outstretched as if carefully balancing the weight of the world. This act of holding reminds us of Atlas bearing the heavens, a burden passed down through generations. The image engages our collective memory, urging us to reflect on the state of our planet and the role we play in its future. The fragility of glass becomes a poignant reminder of our own precarious position within the grand narrative of existence.