Groot schippersgilde van Franeker, gildepenning van Beern Jansen 1645

This octagonal, bronze guild token, created in 1645 by an unknown artist, depicts a ship sailing on the water and the name "BEERN JANSEN" on the reverse. This token belonged to the "Groot Schippersgilde van Franeker," or the Great Guild of Shipowners of Franeker, Netherlands. Guild tokens were often used to identify members of the guild, and this example demonstrates the importance of maritime trade to the Dutch economy during this period.