Dukaton of zilveren rijder van West-Friesland 1728

Curator: Oh, what a curious little object! It’s aged like an antique mirror reflecting forgotten empires. Editor: This is a "Dukaton of zilveren rijder van West-Friesland" dating back to 1728, created by Jan Knol. Dukatons, traditionally crafted from silver, served as currency. Curator: Ah, money! Which makes it a kind of portrait of power, I suppose. A rather stern fellow on horseback, brandishing his sword. Looks ready to charge, or maybe just terribly bored. Editor: The image of the rider and horse wasn’t arbitrary. Equestrian portraits throughout history have symbolized strength, leadership, and nobility. Who gets to be on that horse matters. The reverse side displays a coat of arms—further consolidating and signaling West Frisian power and trade. Curator: Trade, you say? It feels like a stage prop in a child’s epic game. So, this little disc bought everything from exotic spices to the rope with which to hang a pirate. What a story in its curves. Editor: And those curves are important. Circular coins, regardless of the material used, became standardized in Europe as expressions of imperial ambition. This monetary device isn’t simply silver, it carries layered markers of societal hierarchies and burgeoning capitalism. Look at how phrases, or promises, are embossed onto the face. "Concordia res parvae crescunt." It’s a celebration of harmony making even the smallest things grow. A telling little maxim in retrospect. Curator: Oh, yes! A reminder that every object, even something as small as a coin, can carry immense cultural and historical weight. It’s funny to think of someone nervously clutching this during a dicey negotiation, perhaps buying their way out of trouble or into new privilege. Editor: Right! Power and promises compressed into a single metallic disc, still speaking to us across the centuries about governance, control, and the stories we tell ourselves.