Reckheimse duit van Ferdinand van Aspremont-Lynden (1636-1665) 1636 - 1665

This small coin was made by the lord of Reckheim during the time of Ferdinand van Aspremont-Lynden, sometime between 1636 and 1665. It’s copper, and would have been produced using a die. Think about the process involved: the original design would have been engraved in hardened steel, the impression then transferred to softer metal, and the coins struck. These are not traditional art materials, and this repetitive action has a definite relationship to modes of production and the rise of capitalism. This piece may be small, but it represents the shift from unique handmade artworks to something more akin to a commodity. Considered in this light, it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, and invites us to appreciate the artistry inherent in even the most functional of objects.