Stevenweertse duit 1620 - 1632

This is a ‘Stevenweertse Duit’ made by Herman van den Bergh. The Duit was a Dutch coin used in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Dutch Republic in this period was a major economic and maritime power. The Duit circulated widely, facilitating trade and economic activity. It represents Dutch commercial power, but also the complexities of early modern European economics, where coinage was issued by various authorities. The coin features a lion within a shield, surrounded by pellets, on one side, and an inscription on the other. The lion symbolizes strength and authority. It evokes the historical context of the Low Countries and their struggle for independence. The inscription indicates the coin's value and origin. Historians use numismatic records, trade documents, and economic histories to understand the cultural and economic contexts of artifacts like this coin, enabling us to understand the relationship between art and society.