Denmark, 1 Kronor, from the series Coins of All Nations (N72, variation 2) for Duke brand cigarettes

Art Historical Context

Step into the vibrant world of 19th-century advertising with this tiny gem: *Denmark, 1 Kron, from the series Coins of Nations (N72, 2)*, produced by W. Duke, & Co. in 1889. This commercial color lithograph, measuring just 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inches, captures a Danish 1 Kronor coin exquisite detail, likely featuring a regal male portrait amid intricate national motifs. Tucked into Duke brand cigarette packs as collectible inserts, it exemplifies the era's innovative marketing tactics. Chromolithography, the medium here, was a breakthrough in color printing, allowing mass production of eye-catching images with layered inks for rich hues and fine lines. Duke, a leading American tobacco firm, spearheaded these "trade cards" in the *Coins of All Nations* series, sparking a numismatic collecting craze among smokers and hobbyists alike. Such ephemera bridged commerce and culture, turning everyday vices into portals for global education. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department from the Jefferson R. Burdick Collection, this piece highlights how advertising fueled public fascination with world currencies and history. A delightful snapshot of Gilded Age ingenuity!

About the Artist

W. Duke, Sons & Co. · 1870–1920

**W. Duke, Sons & Co.: Pioneers of Chromolithographic Trade Card Art** W. Duke, Sons & Co., an American tobacco manufacturer, emerged from the entrepreneurial vision of Washington Duke (1820–1905) and his sons in Durham, North Carolina. After the Civil War, Washington abandoned farming in 1874 to join his eldest son, Brodie L. Duke, in the burgeoning tobacco trade, establishing a factory that for...