½ gulden voor Nederlands Indië, 1802 1802

This half gulden for the Dutch East Indies was minted in 1802 by the Batavian Republic, and is made of silver. The cold, hard materiality of this coin speaks to its function as a token of trade. The ship, finely engraved, is not just a symbol of Dutch maritime power, but also a clear indication of how it accrued its wealth. The coin was likely produced through die-striking, a process that creates multiples from a master design. Consider the labor involved in extracting, refining, and minting the silver, all to create this object intended to facilitate further labor across the Dutch colonies. The coin's value, literally stamped into its surface, represents a system of exchange built on exploitation. So, next time you handle a coin, remember it's not just money – it's a material record of social and economic relations.