Mark, noodmunt van Frederik II, koning van Denemarken, in de Zevenjarige Oorlog tegen Zweden 1564

This is a silver "necessity coin," or noodmunt, made in 1564 by Poul Fechtel for Frederik II, King of Denmark, during the Seven Years' War against Sweden. Silver coins were typically made through a sequence of steps: smelting to refine the raw material, alloying it with other metals for durability, then hammering the metal into thin sheets. The coin's shape would be cut from this sheet, and designs impressed using dies. But in times of crisis, like wartime, such processes were simplified. The irregular shape and roughly stamped images on this coin speak to the urgency of its production, reflecting the scarcity of resources and the need for quick solutions. The coin’s very existence is a testament to the disruptions caused by the war. Its crude manufacture is in stark contrast to the traditional artistry associated with currency, reflecting the pressures of the time. It prompts us to consider how conflict reshapes even the most basic elements of daily life, like money. It reminds us that even mundane objects can carry powerful stories of human experience.