Zestien penningen met versierde lijsten, waarvan één blanco 1647 - 1682

These sixteen ornamental coin designs were created in the Netherlands by Simon de la Boissière, likely sometime in the mid-17th century. They're made with an engraving process, where a design is cut into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. What strikes me about this print is the sheer labor involved in its production. Each line is carefully etched, requiring a steady hand and deep understanding of the materials. The process is indirect; the artist never touches the paper, yet their skill determines the final outcome. The designs themselves reflect the cultural values of the time: trade, civic pride, and classical learning. Each coin tells a story, but it is the printing that makes it accessible. Through this multiplication, knowledge and authority are disseminated. In the end, this work speaks to the power of skilled craftsmanship, as a mediator between ideas and a wider public. It reminds us that even in the age of mass production, the human touch remains essential.