Zeeuwse hoedjesschelling, 1672 1672

Curator: The patina of age is captivating on this "Zeeuwse hoedjesschelling," dating back to 1672 and minted by the Province of Zeeland. The wear on its surface really speaks to its history as a circulating object. Editor: Yes, it has that compelling sense of touch and purpose about it. Its visual composition has an undeniable power. The geometric precision contrasts intriguingly with what seems like the relative crudeness of its creation and the soft, time-worn surface of the metal. Curator: I agree. There’s an inherent semiotic richness, of course, in the central emblem, the Zeeland coat-of-arms, surmounted by a crown. We can decode power and place within these symbols. Editor: And what about its production, what do we know? We see engraving identified among its media. The laborious process by which the dies would have been carved and the number of these objects in circulation give scale to Dutch mercantilism. The repetitive labor and consumption are key. Curator: Indeed. And one can easily see this circulation playing into trade dynamics and colonial ambition, right? The coin exemplifies a micro-narrative of Zeeland's 17th-century existence. Formally, note the way the circular form encloses all elements of this little world and focuses our eye in on its components. Editor: Precisely. While its formal elements point to higher concepts and a structural unity of sorts, I think its production and existence highlight much about Dutch society and economics. Curator: I appreciate the grounding that approach offers! I had lingered only with what one could glean from the surface, and so it really emphasizes the different kinds of knowledge that we bring to the same experience. Editor: A vital collaboration.