Coin by Helmut Smits

Helmut Smits
Coin, 2012

Identify yourself in the currency

A conceptual object that challenges the traditional meaning of currency. While it takes the familiar form of a coin, its surface has been polished to a mirror finish, removing any national symbols, such as portraits or emblems.

This subtle transformation shifts the focus from authority and state identity to the individual. Instead of seeing a historical figure, the user sees their own reflection, turning the coin into a personal object. In doing so, the design raises questions about who defines identity and value in society, and how these are represented through everyday objects.

The Coin was developed as part of the Identity Land project (2012), a fictional society created by Droog in collaboration with Erik Kessels. Within this context, traditional symbols are reimagined to reflect a more fluid and diverse understanding of identity. The mirrored coin becomes a symbol of this shift, suggesting that identity is no longer fixed or imposed, but personal and constantly changing.

By transforming a widely recognised object with a minimal intervention, Smits highlights the symbolic power of money beyond its practical use. The Coin functions both as a reflective surface and as a conceptual statement, inviting users to reconsider ideas of identity, value, and representation.