Zeeuwse scheepjesschelling, 1775 1775

This is a Zeeuwse Scheepjesschelling, a coin made of silver in the province of Zeeland in 1775. The coin's form is simple, yet its materiality speaks volumes. Silver, a precious metal, was carefully die-struck, a process involving considerable force to impress the design onto the metal. Look closely and you can see the fine details: the Zeeland coat of arms, a ship emerging from waves, all encircled by lettering. The very act of minting coins speaks to the rise of mercantilism and global trade, with each coin representing a small promise, a token of exchange. Think of all the hands this coin passed through: merchants, sailors, shopkeepers, each contributing to the burgeoning economy. Considering its small size, this coin connects us to the bigger systems of labor, value, and power that shaped the world. It’s a potent reminder that even the humblest objects can be rich with cultural significance.