Werkhuis te Amsterdam, huismunt ter waarde van 1 cent 1824 - 1837

This one cent coin, of unknown date, was minted by Werkhuis Amsterdam. The worn silver disc, small and lightweight, presents two faces each defined by symbolic engravings. The formal elements of the coin are determined by its circular shape and the symmetry of its design. We see that on one side, the bold numeral "1C" dominates the composition, surrounded by text which curves around the edge. Flip the coin, and the Amsterdam coat of arms is emblazoned within a shield shape encircled by a beaded border. The formal design of the coin invites a semiotic analysis, where the symbols and inscriptions act as signifiers within the economic system of Amsterdam. The repetitive patterns and clear geometric shapes give the coin an undeniable industrial aesthetic. As a relic of everyday exchange, this coin embodies the structural underpinnings of commerce and society and acts as a cultural artifact. Its form and material speak volumes about the values it once represented.