History of the Dutch guilder

For centuries, the Dutch guilder has been the official currency of the Netherlands. Our country has a rich trading history and in this, the Dutch guilder has played an important role. What is the origin of the Dutch guilder, how has it behaved over time and in what way is the Dutch guilder still valuable for our country now that we have switched to the euro? We will tell you all about it. 
 

The origins of the guilder

The origins of the Dutch guilder date back to the late Middle Ages. The term ‘gulden’ is derived from the German word for gold, ‘Gold’, which reflected the original gold coin minted in Florence around 1252 and later introduced in Germany. In the Netherlands, the first gulden was minted in 1517, under the reign of Charles V, and was known as the ‘gulden florijn’. This gold coin quickly became popular for its reliability and stability. The coin formed the basis of the monetary system of the Low Countries. 
 

The guilder and the Golden Age

During the 17th century, commonly known as the Golden Age, the Dutch guilder played an important role in the trade and economic expansion of the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. The Netherlands became one of the world's leading trading nations, with the United East India Company (VOC) and the West India Company (WIC) as key players in international trade and colonisation. The guilder was the standard currency for these trading activities and contributed to the prosperity and economic stability of the Republic. The currency was used in transactions around the world and was known for its high degree of reliability.  
 

The guilder during world wars

The value and use of the guilder were significantly affected during World War I and World War II. During World War I, the Netherlands remained neutral, but the economic impact of the war led to inflation and fluctuations in the value of the guilder. During World War II, the Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany and the Dutch guilder was pegged to the German Reichsmark. After liberation in 1945, the guilder was reformed and restored as the official currency. The rebuilding of the Dutch economy in the postwar period ensured a stable guilder, which contributed to the country's recovery and growth.  
 

From guilder to euro

The transition from the guilder to the euro began with the formation of the European Union and the introduction of Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). On 1 January 1999, the euro was introduced as an accounting unit and on 1 January 2002, the physical euro banknotes and coins were put into circulation. This officially replaced the Dutch guilder. The changeover to the euro was introduced to strengthen economic integration in Europe, reduce trade barriers and promote the stability of the European economy.  
 
The Dutch guilder did not just ‘disappear’. The guilder is still cherished in museums, collectors' circles and in the memories of the Dutch people. The Dutch Mint Museum and other institutions preserve collections of old guilder coins, and there are many numismatic associations that keep the history and heritage of the guilder alive. The Dutch guilder can also be bought by investors as investment gold.