Zeeuwse oord, 1604 1604

This Zeeuwse oord was produced in 1604 by the Province of Zeeland, and stands as a testament to the intricate relationship between commerce, identity, and political power. As currency, this coin speaks to the economic structures of the time, where value was literally impressed upon everyday objects. But consider its symbolic weight too. Who is represented and how? Whose stories are told, and whose are suppressed in its imagery and inscriptions? What does it mean for a province, rather than a monarch, to mint currency? Reflect on how this small object embodies larger narratives of regional autonomy, economic exchange, and the ongoing negotiation of identity. It's a reminder that even the smallest artifacts can offer profound insights into the complexities of our shared history.