Handgeschreven briefje bij Piet-Heinpenning after 1816

This handwritten note at the Rijksmuseum details the financial valuation of a Piet Hein medal. Penned anonymously, it offers a glimpse into the economic and social world of the 17th-century Netherlands. The note, written in Dutch, reveals much about the cultural and economic values of the time. It meticulously lists the medal's worth in guilders, a reflection of the burgeoning mercantile society of the Dutch Golden Age. This was a period marked by unprecedented economic growth, driven by maritime trade and colonial expansion, with institutions such as the Dutch East India Company wielding immense power. The reference to Piet Hein, a celebrated naval hero who captured the Spanish treasure fleet, underscores the significance of maritime power to the Dutch identity. The note suggests a society deeply invested in its naval achievements and the economic prosperity they brought. By examining such archival material, historians can better understand the intricate relationships between art, economics, and national identity in the Dutch Golden Age.