Kolonie Veenhuizen, huismunt geslagen op last van de Maatschappij van Weldadigheid ter waarde van dertig cent 1818 - 1859

This is a thirty-cent coin, commissioned for use in the Kolonie Veenhuizen, part of the Dutch Society of Benevolence. Without an identified artist, its creation is a symbol of collective, institutional power. These colonies were established in the early 19th century as a social experiment, aiming to rehabilitate the poor and vagrant through agriculture and discipline. Think about the power dynamics at play. The coin was a form of internal currency, representing the limited economic freedom afforded to the colony’s inhabitants, mostly the working poor. It’s a stark reminder of how economic systems can control and define identity. The coin reflects a paternalistic approach to poverty, where the 'benevolent' society dictated the terms of existence. Consider the human stories behind this object: the hopes, struggles, and daily lives of those who were both subjects and objects of this social experiment. It serves as a poignant reflection on social control, economic disparity, and the quest for a more equitable society.