Utrechtse dukaat, 1781 1781

This is a gold Utrecht ducat minted in 1781 by the Province of Utrecht, one of the states that formed the Dutch Republic. The image on the coin carries a potent message. We see a standing figure carrying both a sword and a bundle of arrows, visual symbols of the province's commitment to both defense and unity. The motto 'Concordia Res Parvae Crescunt' translates to 'Through Harmony Small Things Increase'. This references the strength found in the collective, a core value of the Dutch Republic. Minted during a period of economic decline and growing political tensions between the provinces, this ducat served as a form of propaganda, reinforcing ideals of unity and strength. These coins circulated widely, embedding these messages within everyday transactions. As historians, we turn to archives, economic records, and political pamphlets to understand fully the context in which objects like this coin were created and circulated. Only then can we appreciate the silent yet powerful ways in which art shapes and reflects social and institutional forces.