Kweekschool voor de zeevaart 1784

This small metal coin, whose maker is unknown, probably dates from the time of the Dutch East India company. It is made from metal, cast in a mold, and bears the inscription 'Kweekschool voor de Zeevaart', which translates to 'Training School for Seafaring'. The design depicts a female figure standing next to an anchor and what may be a stack of goods, alluding to trade and the sea. Although seemingly modest, this coin speaks volumes about the rise of global commerce and the labor practices on which it depended. It is a reminder that this period had a profound impact on economies and the lives of countless people. The act of minting coins like this one was part of a broader system of industrial production, driven by market forces and the expansion of trade routes. Ultimately, this coin invites us to consider how even the smallest of objects can hold significant cultural and historical meaning, and challenges the traditional distinctions between functional design and historical works of art.