The Coin and Currency History of the Netherlands

The history of money in the Netherlands is deeply intertwined with trade, politics, and international power. As early as Roman times, coins circulated in the Low Countries. In the early Middle Ages, cities such as Utrecht, Deventer, and Dordrecht began minting their own coins, usually under the supervision of local counts and bishops. This led to a colorful variety of regional coins, each with its own values and symbols.

From the 16th century onwards, during the Eighty Years' War against Spain, the need for a unified monetary system grew. The "leeuwendaalder" (lion dollar), introduced around 1575, became one of the most important coins of this period. This large silver coin, featuring an image of a climbing lion, was used not only in the Netherlands but also gained international fame — even in the American colonies!

Another famous coin was the "rijksdaalder" (rixdollar), which originated in the late 16th century. Originally equivalent to one and a half guilders, the rijksdaalder remained popular well into the 20th century, despite changes in its weight and composition.

The 17th century, often referred to as the Dutch Golden Age, was a time of great prosperity for the Dutch economy. The founding of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in 1602 not only gave the Netherlands worldwide trade power but also influence over international currency flow. The VOC even minted its own coins, such as the well-known VOC "duiten," which were used in their overseas territories.

After the fall of Napoleon, the Netherlands became a kingdom under King William I in 1815. A year later, in 1816, a national coinage law was enacted, officially establishing the Dutch guilder as the national currency. The Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht was granted the exclusive right to mint coins. Well-known coins from the 19th century include the silver guilder and half-guilder, featuring portraits of Kings William I, II, and III.

Throughout the 20th century, the guilder underwent several changes. During the occupation in World War II, the Dutch guilder was temporarily replaced by German currency, but after liberation, it quickly returned. In 1980, Queen Beatrix appeared on the guilder, following the earlier portraits of Queen Juliana and Queen Wilhelmina.

On January 1, 2002, the Netherlands bid farewell to the guilder and adopted the euro, although many Dutch people still remember the guilder with great nostalgia.

The coin history lives on through collector’s items, commemorative coins, and the issues of the Royal Dutch Mint, which continues to release special series in honor of the Netherlands' rich monetary history

S19-PEN-0157 Netherlands Lecturama 555