Collegium Medicum te Amsterdam, toegangspenning voor de hortus medicus voor apothekersleerling J.D.J 1813

This is an undated, anonymous token granting access to the Hortus Medicus in Amsterdam for apothecary apprentice, J.D.J. The Hortus Medicus, established in the 17th century, played a crucial role in the Dutch Republic's global trade and scientific exploration. These gardens were sites where botanical knowledge intersected with economic and colonial interests. As an apprentice, J.D.J. would have been at the forefront of understanding the medicinal properties of plants, many of which were sourced from colonized lands. The token, though small, speaks volumes about the intertwined histories of medicine, commerce, and colonialism. It reminds us of the often-unacknowledged labor and knowledge of indigenous communities, whose understanding of these plants was exploited for European gain. J.D.J.'s access to this knowledge, symbolized by the token, represents a specific form of privilege within this complex historical context.