Saxony, 1 Pfennig, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 2) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This small lithograph was made around 1900 by W. Duke, Sons & Co. as a collectible card for their Duke brand cigarettes. It’s part of a series called "Coins of All Nations," but rather than simply depicting currency, it offers a satirical commentary on value and identity. The artist uses lithography, a printmaking process that allows for detailed, mass production of images, tying it directly to consumer culture. The card features a caricature of a man, his features exaggerated, juxtaposed with an image of a Saxony Pfennig. The material of the card itself is humble, paper stock, intended for widespread distribution and immediate consumption. This little card speaks volumes about the industrial era, commodification, and how value is assigned, both to currency and to cultural stereotypes. It questions the relationship between the real economic value of money, the perceived value of collectible objects, and the value judgments we make about people and nations. It reminds us to think critically about the messages embedded in even the most unassuming objects.