Shilling; twaalf pence, noodmunt uit Pontefract, uit het beleg door Oliver Cromwell 1648

Editor: This is a Shilling, a twelve-pence emergency coin from Pontefract, dating back to 1648, during the siege by Oliver Cromwell. It's metal, quite small and diamond-shaped, with relief imagery on both sides. It looks austere and functional. What do you see in this piece? Curator: What immediately strikes me is its very existence as an act of resistance. This coin speaks volumes about power dynamics during the English Civil War. It’s not just currency; it's a symbol of defiance minted under siege. Consider the implications of creating such an object within a space of conflict; it is not neutral. Editor: Resistance, how so? Curator: This wasn’t sanctioned by the ruling powers of the time. It was a local initiative born out of necessity. The shape itself challenges traditional notions of currency and authority. What does that diamond shape, rather than a circle, suggest to you about power? Editor: It's less… stable? Like a conscious decision to disrupt the status quo visually, not just economically. It makes it so much more loaded. Almost aggressive. Curator: Precisely. Think about who made the decision to create this coin, what it represents, and how it was circulated. This artwork encapsulates so much more than just monetary value. It allows us to confront narratives of centralization of power through decentralized, locally-controlled objects. What have you learned by looking at this object? Editor: That even something as mundane as a coin can tell such a powerful and multifaceted story about resistance and identity. I’m surprised by how it makes me think about the economics of conflict, and about seeing alternative forms of expression through what seems like simple objects. Curator: Absolutely. Examining art through a critical, historically-informed lens unearths fascinating and relevant insights. It really enhances how we perceive historical narratives of resilience.