Krijgstoerustingen in de Republiek 1601

This is a small, anonymous coin, titled "Krijgstoerustingen in de Republiek." The circular form, made from a base metal, is worn with age, yet its engravings present a fascinating study in miniature design. One side shows a ship rendered with simple lines floating on stylized waves. The opposite side features a complex heraldic shield topped with a crown and surrounded by inscriptions. Structurally, the ship and the shield function as emblems of power and national identity, common in the visual language of currency. The choice of imagery and its execution reflect a culture deeply intertwined with maritime strength and economic ambition. The coin then becomes a symbolic object, speaking volumes about the values and self-perception of the society that produced it. Consider the physical qualities: its size, the baseness of its material, and how these elements invite us to reflect on the tangible and intangible values we assign to objects.