Vijfentwintigjarig bestaan van de Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen 1809 1809

Hendrik Lageman crafted this silver commemorative coin in 1809 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen. Observe the figure of a seated woman, a classical allegory of enlightenment, holding aloft a radiant torch. This symbol of illumination, of knowledge dispelling darkness, carries echoes of ancient Greece, where the torch signified not just light but also life, regeneration, and truth. We see this motif echoed through time, from Roman sculptures of Minerva with her lamp to the Statue of Liberty. The torch, however, transcends its function, tapping into our collective memory. It stirs deep-seated emotions linked to hope, progress, and the unquenchable human desire for understanding. The gesture of holding the torch high evokes an almost primal response, a beacon in the darkness, promising clarity and guidance. As this symbol has been carried forward, it continues to inspire and ignite our shared cultural consciousness.