1/4 gulden van Nederlands Indië, 1855 1855

This is a silver 1/4 gulden coin from the Dutch East Indies, dating back to 1855 and minted under the reign of Willem III. Its circular form is immediately apparent, but the design elements intricately divide the space within. Observe how the coin's face is dominated by the crowned coat of arms, a heraldic device embodying power and governance. The lion rampant, brandishing a sword, is rigidly contained within the shield's border, yet it symbolizes the reach of Dutch authority. Encircling this emblem is the inscription "NEDERL. INDIE," spatially organizing the coin's message of colonial possession. The numerals '1/4' and '1855' flanking the crest denote monetary value and the year of issue, thus serving a dual function of economic and historical record. Consider also the semiotic weight of this small object. A coin is never simply currency; it embodies the state's authority, rendered here in miniature. The very texture of the metal, worn smooth by circulation, speaks to its function within a vast network of exchange. This coin presents us with a complex interplay of formal design and symbolic meaning, and offers a glimpse into the economic and political structures of colonial history.