Kolonie Veenhuizen, huismunt geslagen op last van de Maatschappij van Weldadigheid ter waarde van 1 cent 1818 - 1859

This small coin was minted on the order of the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid for use in the Kolonie Veenhuizen. In the 19th century, the Maatschappij van Weldadigheid, or Society of Benevolence, established settlements like Veenhuizen to address poverty by providing work and housing, but it also created a controlled social environment. This one-cent coin was a local currency to be used within the colony, reflecting the paternalistic approach of the organization that aimed to govern every aspect of its inhabitants' lives. The use of such currency highlights the power dynamics within the colony, and it restricted the residents' economic freedom. The coin is a token of a social experiment that blurred the lines between welfare, control, and exploitation. It invites us to reflect on historical approaches to poverty, and also the value we place on human autonomy.