Proef in koper voor Hollandse dukaat, 1673 1673

Editor: This is a rather curious object, isn't it? It's called "Proef in koper voor Hollandse dukaat, 1673," essentially a copper trial piece for a Dutch ducat from 1673. It's held here at the Rijksmuseum. The metal is deeply patinated; what strikes me most is the deliberately punched hole. What do you see in this unusual coin? Curator: Oh, the 'hole' truth? To me, it's a portal! A peephole into the turbulent 17th century. It makes me wonder, what was deemed so important in 1673 that someone needed to punch a literal hole in this coin-to-be? Was it an act of defiance, a commentary on the fleeting value of money amidst war, maybe the Franco-Dutch War, which took place in 1673? Editor: Defiance, that's interesting! It hadn't occurred to me it could be more than just…damage. But tell me more, why a ‘trial piece?’ Curator: It’s like a sculptor’s maquette or a painter’s sketch! It's made in base metal instead of gold and served as a quality check. See how the details like the lion rampant bearing the bundle of arrows – the symbol of Dutch unity? It allowed the engraver, die maker and officials to assess the design before minting the official, valuable coins. If you don't like the copper trial strike, imagine your disappointment multiplied on a solid gold coin. Editor: So it’s quality control…artistic quality control! I see it now, each mark, including the hole, tells a story. What began as an assessment now serves as a record, something quite human in its imperfection, doesn't it? Curator: Precisely! Every coin whispers. This "Proef" shouts—I'd wager at the audacity of ambition amid the anxieties of a specific year in history. Thank you for the chance to muse about it.