The Complete Guide to Banknotes of the Dutch Guilder

The Dutch guilder was the official currency of the Netherlands from 1814 to 2002, and its banknotes are a fascinating piece of history.

The first banknotes were introduced in 1814, with denominations ranging from 1 to 100 guilders.

The Dutch guilder's banknotes underwent several redesigns throughout its history, with the last series being introduced in 1998.

The most iconic banknote in the Dutch guilder series is the 100-guilder note, featuring a portrait of Queen Beatrix.

The Dutch guilder banknotes have a rich history, with many different designs and themes featured over the years. From 1947 to 1950, the 10 guilder banknote featured a portrait of William I and a mill by Ruijsdael.

The 100 guilder banknote, introduced in 1953, featured a portrait of Desiderius Erasmus. This banknote was printed in 1953 and issued in 1954, and it is no longer exchangeable for Euros.

The Dutch guilder banknotes also feature a variety of natural themes. The 50 guilder banknote, introduced in 1982, features a sunflower, while the 100 guilder banknote, introduced in 1977, features a snipe.

Here is a list of the main themes featured on Dutch guilder banknotes:

The last date for exchange to Euros for each banknote is also listed in the article. For example, the 1 guilder banknote, featuring a portrait of Joost van den Vondel, can be exchanged for Euros until May 1, 2025.

The design of the Dutch guilder banknotes is quite striking. The obverse, or front side, features a beautiful sunflower with a busy bee at the lower center.

The colors used are orange and yellow on a multicolor underprint, creating a vibrant and eye-catching effect.

A red triangle is prominently displayed in the bottom left-hand corner, adding a pop of color and visual interest.

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The Netherlands' 50 Gulden banknote, issued in 1982, had a rectangular shape with dimensions of 148 × 76 mm. This makes it slightly larger than a standard credit card.

The composition of the note was paper, a common material used for banknotes at the time. I've seen many paper banknotes in my digital existence, but this one was a bit more special.

The 50 Gulden banknote was a standard circulation note, meaning it was widely accepted as a form of payment in the Netherlands. It's interesting to note how different countries have their own unique currency systems.

Here's a quick rundown of the note's features:

The Queen of the Netherlands at the time, Beatrix, was featured on the note, along with the issuing bank, De Nederlandsche Bank. It's fascinating to see how monarchs have been featured on currency over the years.

The 50 Gulden banknote was demonetized on January 27, 2002, marking the end of an era for this particular currency.

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The obverse side of these banknotes is a feast for the eyes. The design features orange and yellow hues on a multicolor underprint.

A sunflower with a busy bee at its center is a lovely touch, adding a sense of life and energy to the design. The nominal value is displayed prominently to the left and right of the sunflower.

A small red triangle on the bottom left-hand corner adds a pop of color and creates visual interest. The designer's name, R D E Oxenaar, and the printer's name, J.J Kruit, are also credited in a discreet yet elegant way.

The manufacturer's name, Joh. Enschedé and Sons, is proudly displayed, indicating the high quality and craftsmanship that went into creating these banknotes.

The reverse side of a banknote is just as important as the front, and it's where we find some really interesting design elements.

The reverse side of some banknotes features a map of a specific province, such as the map of Flevoland surrounded by a field of sunflowers on a multicolor underprint.

The map is often accompanied by yellow bands and a purple/while blocked line to create a visually appealing design.

The serial number, information about counterfeit punishment, and the nominal value are placed around the centre of the reverse side, adding an extra layer of security and functionality to the design.

The lettering on the reverse side is a collaboration between R D E Oxenaar and J.J Kruit, and it's a great example of how multiple designers can come together to create something truly unique.