
Before the Euro era, the Dutch currency was a bit of a mess. The Netherlands had a long history of using various forms of currency, including the Gulden, which was the official currency from 1680 to 2002.
The Gulden was divided into 100 cents, just like the Euro. You could also exchange your Gulden for foreign currencies like the US Dollar or the Pound Sterling.
In the 1980s, the Dutch government introduced the Ducton, a currency that was pegged to the German Mark. This was a precursor to the Euro, which would eventually replace the Gulden.
History of Dutch Currency
The Dutch guilder, also known as the gulden, emerged as the official currency of the Burgundian Netherlands after the 1434 monetary reform done under Philip the Good. The gulden's value in terms of silver until the gold standard was introduced in 1875 is summarized in the table below.
The Dutch guilder was the official currency of the Netherlands before the euro was introduced in 2002. It was used from around 1517 until 2002, when it was replaced by the euro.
1618

In 1618, the Dutch Republic was experiencing a significant depreciation of the Gulden, which was exacerbated by the influx of precious metals from Germany and Spanish America.
The value of the Gulden equivalent of different trade coins passing through the Low Countries rose in value, with the Rijksdaalder of 25.40 g fine silver being valued at 50 stuivers (2.5G) in 1618.
Provinces in the Dutch Republic were continually testing the market with coins of slightly reduced silver content, aiming for their acceptance at par with full-bodied coins. This led to a downward spiral of the Gulden's value.
Here's a list of the Gulden equivalent values of different trade coins in 1618:
The establishment of the Amsterdam Wisselbank in 1609 helped to stabilize the value of the Gulden by accepting and assaying the bullion content of coins received from depositors.
History
The Dutch currency has a rich and fascinating history that spans centuries. The gulden emerged as the official currency of the Burgundian Netherlands after the 1434 monetary reform done under Philip the Good.
The gulden's value in terms of silver fluctuated over the years, with significant changes in 1500-60, 1618, 1659-1800, and 1840. In 1875, the gold standard was introduced, and the gulden's value was set at 0.6048 g of gold.
Prior to 1434, the Dutch issued currency conforming to the Carolingian monetary system, with a pound divided into 20 shillings and a shilling divided into 12 pennies. This system was in place since the 9th century.
The first accepted Dutch coins known under the name "gulden" date back to 1517. This marked the beginning of the gulden era.
Here's a summary of the gulden's value in terms of silver:
The Dutch guilder, also known as the gulden, was the official currency of the Netherlands before the euro was introduced in 2002. It was used for over 300 years and was replaced by the euro at an exchange rate of 2.20371 guilders = 1 euro.
Guilder and Banco
The guilder and banco were two interconnected aspects of the Dutch currency system before the euro. The banco, valued at 5% more than provincial gulden currency valuations, was a permanent unit of account established in 1659.
In 1659, the Dutch Republic issued its own trade coins, including the Silver Ducat and the Silver Rider Ducaton, which replaced the Patagon and Ducaton respectively. These coins were valued at 48 and 60 stuivers banco, or 50 and 63 stuivers currency.
The result of these reforms was a gulden banco unit of 10.15 g silver and a gulden currency unit of 9.67 g silver, as determined from the ducaton. These coins helped cement the Dutch Republic's role as Europe's financial center and made the bank-stabilized gulden as Europe's de facto reserve currency until the end of the 18th century.
The gulden was officially retired in 2002 and replaced by the euro, but guilder coins remained exchangeable for euros until 2007. Today, guilder coins retain only their collectors' value, while guilder banknotes can still be exchanged for currency until 2032.
The gulden had been the Dutch currency since 1680, originally made of gold and valued at 10.61 g. The gulden design featured Pallas Athena standing, holding a spear topped by a hat in her right hand, resting with her left forearm on Gospels set on an ornate basis, with a small shield in the legend.
Gulden & Banco
The Gulden & Banco system was a crucial part of the Dutch Republic's financial success in the 17th century. It was introduced to stabilize the value of trade coins and prevent depreciation of the Dutch currency.
In 1659, the Dutch Republic issued its own trade coins, the Silver Ducat and the Silver Rider Ducaton, which replaced the Patagon and the Ducaton. These coins were valued at 48 stuivers banco and 60 stuivers banco, respectively.
The Silver Ducat weighed 24.36 g of fine silver, while the Silver Rider Ducaton weighed 30.45 g of fine silver. The result was a Gulden Banco unit of 10.15 g silver and a Gulden currency unit of 9.67 g silver.

The Gulden Banco system helped cement the Dutch Republic's role as Europe's financial center and made the Bank of Amsterdam the world's first modern central bank. The bank-stabilized Gulden became Europe's de facto reserve currency until the end of the 18th century.
Here's a comparison of the Silver Ducat and the Silver Rider Ducaton:
The Silver Ducat was minted by the States of Holland and West Friesland in 1680, featuring Pallas Athena standing, holding a spear topped by a hat in her right hand. The gulden design was a significant milestone in the history of the Dutch guilder.
Dutch Guilder
The Dutch guilder was the official currency of the Netherlands from 1517 to 2002. It was decimalized in 1817 with one guilder being comprised of 100 cents.
The guilder was originally made of gold, and its name "gulden" derived from the Dutch word meaning "golden." The symbol "ƒ" or "fl." for the Dutch guilder was derived from another old currency, the florin.
In 2002, the guilder was replaced by the euro at an exchange rate of 2.20371 guilders = 1 euro. You can still exchange your guilder banknotes for euros until 2032.
The guilder had various denominations over the centuries, including the stuiver, the duiten, and the penningen. Each guilder was divided into 20 stuivers, and each stuiver was divided into 8 duiten or 16 penningen.
The Philips electronics company invented the CD, and the size of the center hole in a compact disc was modeled after the ten-cent guilder coin, the dubbeltje.
Coins and Banknotes
Before the Euro, the Netherlands used a variety of coins and banknotes, each with its own unique characteristics.
The Dutch guilder was the main currency, with denominations ranging from 5 cents to 1000 guilders. Banknotes were introduced in 1683 and were initially issued by the Dutch East India Company.
Coins were made from various metals, including silver, gold, and copper, and featured intricate designs and engravings.
Coins

Coins are a type of currency that have been around for thousands of years. They're made from various materials, including metals like gold, silver, and copper, which give them different values.
Some coins are minted with intricate designs and artwork, making them highly collectible. You can even find coins with images of famous people or historical events.
Coins come in various denominations, including pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. The value of a coin is determined by its face value and its metal content.
In the United States, coins are made from a combination of metals, including copper, nickel, and zinc. The coin's composition affects its weight and durability.
Some coins are made from precious metals, which can increase their value. For example, gold coins are highly valued due to their metal content.
Banknotes
Banknotes are an essential part of our monetary system, and it's interesting to note that they are made from a combination of 75% cotton and 25% linen.
The first banknotes were issued in China during the Tang Dynasty, around 1000 AD.
Banknotes have undergone significant changes over the centuries, with the introduction of paper money in Europe during the 17th century.
The first US dollar bill was issued in 1862, and it featured a portrait of Salmon P. Chase, the Secretary of the Treasury at the time.
Today, banknotes are designed with advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting, such as watermarks and holograms.
The largest denomination of banknotes ever printed in the US was the $100,000 gold certificate, which was issued in 1934.
Banknotes are widely used as a medium of exchange and a store of value, and their design and security features continue to evolve with technology.
Euro Changeover
The Euro changeover was a significant event in the Netherlands, where the guilder was replaced by the euro at an exchange rate of 2.20371 guilders = 1 Euro.
Coins remained exchangeable for euros at branches of the Netherlands Central Bank until 1 January 2007.
You had to exchange your guilder banknotes for euros before 1 January 2032, unless they were received as payment for commercial goods or services after 27 January 2002, in which case they weren't exchangeable.
Some guilder banknotes are no longer exchangeable, so it's a good idea to check the Banknotes of the Dutch guilder for a full list of guilder banknotes and their last valid exchange date.
Official Currency of Netherlands
The official currency of the Netherlands before the Euro was the Dutch guilder, also known as the gulden. It was used from 1680 to 2002, a period of 322 years.
The Dutch guilder was the national currency of the Netherlands since the 17th century until 2002. This is quite impressive, even for an old country like the Netherlands.
The guilder was officially replaced by the Euro at the beginning of 2002. You can still exchange your old guilder banknotes and coins for Euro at the Central bank of the Netherlands until 1st January 2007.
The Dutch guilder had a complex history, with interruptions during the French annexation and German occupation during World War II. The exchange rate was set by the liberating Allied forces after the war.
The guilder went through phases of being made from more than one material. After 2002, the guilder banknotes and coins were no longer legal tender, but they could still be exchanged for Euro.
Here are the countries that use the Euro today:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Cyprus
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Dutch guilder still used?
No, the Dutch guilder is no longer used as a currency, having been replaced by the euro in 2002. The guilder was the official currency of the Netherlands for nearly 570 years.
Are Dutch guilders worth anything?
Yes, Dutch guilders have a conversion value, with €1 being equivalent to approximately ƒ2.20371, making them worth around 45 cents.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_guilder
- https://www.tripsavvy.com/official-currency-of-the-netherlands-1456279
- https://worldwidetravel.tips/netherlands/currency-of-netherlands/currency-of-netherlands-before-euro/
- https://worldwidetravel.tips/netherlands/currency-of-netherlands/
- https://www.ig.com/uk/trading-strategies/what-were-the-pre-euro-currencies-in-europe--200121
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