Westfriese Nederlandse rijksdaalder, 1619 1619

This Westfriese Rijksdaalder was made in 1619 in the province of West Friesland, Netherlands, from silver. Struck with a die and hammer, the process involved skilled die-makers who engraved the designs in steel. The coin’s material, silver, was itself deeply implicated in global trade networks. Mined in the Americas under brutal conditions, much of the silver arriving in Europe was turned into coinage, which facilitated further trade. The coin’s design is dominated by a knight, his armor gleaming, a symbol of the province's military power and wealth. The production of these coins was an assertion of regional power, reflecting a time of economic expansion, and the growth of capitalism. The minting of coins like these wasn't just a matter of technical skill; it was a political act. Consider the labor involved: from mining the raw material to the artisans crafting the dies, and the minters striking each coin. In the end, it's a potent reminder that even the smallest objects can tell big stories about labor, politics, and consumption.