Sweden, 2 Kronors, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 1) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

Curator: So, let's talk about this quirky little artwork, "Sweden, 2 Kronors" from the "Coins of All Nations" series, a print created in 1889 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. It's part of the Met's collection. Editor: It's wonderfully bizarre! It looks like a strange fusion of portrait and still life. My first thought is, "What on earth…?" Curator: Precisely! It's one of a series of trade cards the tobacco company used to stiffen cigarette packs and entice consumers with collectible art. In a clever conflation of commodity and culture, they blended caricatures with the image of circulating currency from around the globe. Editor: So, almost a satirical jab at capitalism then? Turning money into a walking, talking advertisement. I notice the chap is dwarfed, almost weighed down by the Swedish coin, but he sports the world's biggest fur hat. It's pure vaudeville. Curator: In a way, these cards democratized art; it was cheaply made art designed to be discarded and shared and not a hallowed masterpiece in a gilded frame. You could argue it was a precursor to internet memes or modern trading cards, if a bit culturally insensitive perhaps. Editor: Absolutely. And look at the style! It seems to pull inspiration from ukiyo-e, those playful Japanese woodblock prints with the elongated figures and exaggerated expressions. Is the artist making some cheeky claim on global influence? The world brought to you via tobacco. Curator: Potentially. The coin, with its intricate heraldry featuring the crowned lion, looks genuinely imposing. This lion seems fierce; like the little guy can barely hold on. But, then below the coin, it literally gives the value of it, like an antique novelty coin that seems kind of tongue-in-cheek! Editor: It's strangely endearing, though. A humble attempt at global art. Perhaps not profound, but certainly provocative in its odd way. The fact it was printed for Duke cigarettes brings an added layer of intrigue. It is, perhaps, the "Mad Men" of art. Curator: That it is. Thank you for your keen observations!