Gelderse dubbele stuiver, 1786 1786

This Gelderse dubbele stuiver was produced in 1786 by the Province of Gelderland. Issued during a tumultuous period, it reflects the economic and social tensions brewing in the Dutch Republic. The coin, small in size, acted as a tangible symbol of power and governance. It was a time marked by growing class disparities, as the merchant class flourished, the working class experienced hardship. Consider how the representation of authority on coinage shapes collective identity and economic power. The coin's materiality speaks to a world on the brink of change, where traditional power structures were about to be challenged, and new economic realities were emerging. It invites us to consider how objects such as this coin mediate our understanding of history, identity, and power.