Three of Coins 1751

This is “Three of Coins,” a playing card created by Claude Burdel in the 18th century. These cards emerged in a time when Europe was experiencing considerable social and economic upheaval. Burdel’s Tarot de Marseille reflects a society steeped in tradition, yet on the cusp of transformative change. The “Three of Coins” signals collaboration and building, but what does it mean to build in a world rife with inequality? The coins, emblems of material wealth, prompt questions about the distribution of resources and labor. Who benefits and who is exploited? The visual language of the deck, with its motifs and symbols, speaks to the intricate layers of cultural, social, and personal experience. Burdel’s cards invite us to engage with these symbols not just as historical relics, but as ongoing reflections of our collective story.