The collection of the Netherlands Economic Medal Cabinet (NEPK) offers a unique glimpse into the economic life of the Netherlands since 1900.
Think of themes such as trade (trade fairs, trading companies), industry (ports, factories), and the organization of economic activity (chambers of commerce, municipal institutions). Healthcare, an important economic growth sector in the 21st century, is also represented.
The collection is estimated to contain around 500 to 600 medals that cannot be found in any other collection in the Netherlands. With this, the NEPK has a clear position as a thematic collection alongside other museums that manage medal collections. The collection includes many honorary medals, medals of merit (intended to honour individuals, such as during jubilees), and commemorative medals, which are awarded to mark special events or milestones such as mergers or new constructions. These medals have both emotional and cultural value and offer a fascinating insight into the history and traditions of the Netherlands.
Finally, the collection is closely connected to Erasmus University Rotterdam (EUR) and the city of Rotterdam, which enhances the historical value of the NEPK.
Digital access to the collection
Our database contains descriptions of all medals and offers the possibility to search the collection with keywords. Additionally, it is possible to perform advanced searches on specific information of each medal, such as medallist, year, and method of manufacturing. The database makes the collection accessible to a wide audience, ranging from researchers to curious visitors.
Physical exhibitions
The collection is housed at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Woudestein campus. In the Erasmus Gallery in the Erasmus Building, two permanent medal exhibitions are presented with interactive touchscreen display cases. One of the display cases features the exhibition 'Highlights from the NEPK Collection,' with a touchscreen presentation highlighting over 500 medals, nearly 200 photos, and video material, both physically or digitally. The other display case regularly shows rotating exhibitions.
Try 'touching' a medal yourself to present it enlarged. Turn the medals over using the orange buttons to view the reverse side. Or click through to information on the next level. The textual information is available in both Dutch and English.