Zeeuwse duit, 1689 1689

Editor: Here we have a bronze coin, a Zeeuwse duit from 1689, representing the province of Zeeland. It's such a tactile little thing, clearly worn smooth by countless transactions. What speaks to you most about this piece? Curator: What I find fascinating is the raw materiality of this object. This coin wasn't just a symbol of value, it *was* value, physically embodying the resources and labor of the late 17th century. The very process of extracting the bronze, the labor involved in die-striking it – it all speaks volumes about the economic structure of the time. Editor: That's interesting. I hadn't thought about it in terms of the mining and manufacturing processes. How does its smallness factor into your view? Curator: Its size makes it easily transportable. Consider the circulation of this coin. Who held it? Where did it travel? Each transaction leaves its mark on the surface, further embedding its materiality with a social history of exchange and use. Did soldiers get paid with such coins? Was it women buying supplies? What was affordable with this small coin? Editor: It really makes you consider how much history a single object can hold! It has changed the way I approach analyzing an artwork’s value. Curator: Indeed! We need to go beyond traditional aesthetic analyses and examine the material realities embedded within objects.