Norway, 10 Kronors, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 2) for Duke brand cigarettes 1889

This lithograph, made by W. Duke, Sons & Co. between 1870 and 1920, presents a whimsical caricature set against a pale blue backdrop. A disproportionately large head, adorned with a straw hat and a pipe jutting from the mouth, dominates the composition, immediately drawing our attention. The figure's diminutive body is laden with a heavy sack, while a giant coin, emblazoned with national symbols, obscures the lower half. This deliberate manipulation of scale disrupts conventional representation, rendering the figure comical yet strangely compelling. The coin functions as a signifier of national identity and economic value. It is undermined by the absurd juxtaposition with the caricatured figure, highlighting the complex relationship between representation, value, and cultural identity. The flattening of depth and simplification of form further emphasize the constructed nature of this image, inviting viewers to question the values and categories it seems to represent.