Zeeuwse scheepjesschelling, 1779 1779

This Zeeuwse scheepjesschelling was produced in the province of Zeeland in 1779. More than just currency, this coin embodies the economic and political identity of Zeeland, a maritime province of the Netherlands, during a pivotal era. Consider the power dynamics at play: the Dutch Republic was a major player in global trade, yet its wealth was built on the backs of enslaved people and exploited resources from colonized lands. The coin features the Zeeland coat of arms: a lion emerging from water. This lion symbolizes strength and resilience, but it also glosses over the complexities of Zeeland’s participation in the Dutch colonial empire and the impact on those who suffered because of it. The coin is a reminder that even the smallest objects can carry immense historical weight, prompting us to reflect on the legacies of colonialism and the stories we choose to tell about our past.