Hollandse duit, 1745. Afslag in zilver 1745

Curator: Here we have a Dutch "duit," dating back to 1745. This particular example, part of the Rijksmuseum collection, is quite interesting because it was struck in silver, rather than the usual copper. Editor: Silver, huh? It's tiny but powerful—kind of imposing for a humble coin. And seeing it aged and worn, I wonder what stories it could tell...the hands it's passed through, the transactions witnessed. It whispers of everyday life long gone. Curator: Indeed. Coins like this one weren't just monetary instruments, but tools of communication, particularly in an age where literacy wasn't widespread. Editor: Ah, like miniature propaganda! I notice the lion...very regal! It is striking such a heraldic image in such a small space. Almost comical. And is that a fence under its feet? I suppose it wants us to understand something about Holland. Curator: Exactly! The lion symbolizes the province of Holland, a critical player in the Dutch Republic. The image alludes to its role in the management and regulation of trade, reinforcing Dutch power in that era. It also served to strengthen communal identity. Editor: Power... it's ironic, isn’t it? That something so tiny represented this province’s might. Did the size add to its persuasive ability as it passed from person to person? Like a well-told secret! Curator: I think it is a more interesting and subtle phenomenon. Think about the politics of visual messaging back then. What iconographies became normalized, which events were made iconic, which people were honored by immortalization in the collective consciousness via art. Editor: Good point! That the iconographies represented the power—regardless of medium—but its easy movement created this subtle power to move across all rungs of the ladder of power. What else stands out? Curator: It’s also fascinating how it links artistic production, state ideology, and commerce. Each element reinforced the other, crafting a specific narrative of Dutch authority. Editor: Right, the coin as a portable monument. You know, seeing how worn it is, the edges softened by time…it makes me feel connected to that past, the feel of history literally at your fingertips. Curator: And to see something as seemingly mundane as a coin as carrying so much significance makes one think about the objects that surround us today, and the ways in which they encode meaning and power. Editor: Totally. A beautiful, silent scream from the past. Thanks for the enlightenment.