Hotel de Oude Doelen, eigenaar Pl. Reyman te 's-Gravenhage 1821 - 1885

This is a token depicting the Hotel de Oude Doelen in The Hague, created by Isidore Bessaignet. Although the exact date remains unknown, it offers a glimpse into the economic and social life of the Netherlands during the 19th century. Tokens like this one often circulated as a form of local currency or advertising, reflecting the burgeoning commercial landscape of the era. This token signifies a period of growth in hospitality and tourism, yet it also hints at the complexities of class and access. Hotels like the Oude Doelen catered to a specific clientele, predominantly the wealthy. This piece speaks to the power dynamics inherent in such spaces, reminding us of who was welcomed and who was excluded. It embodies both the promise of progress and the subtle echoes of inequality.