In Curaçao and Sint Maarten, a new currency, the Caribbean guilder, was proposed,[1][2] but has been stalled indefinitely by negotiations over the establishment of a separate central bank for Curaçao.[3] In November 2020, the Central Bank announced the introduction of the replacement guilder, which was planned for implementation in the first half of 2021;[4] however, release of the new currency was delayed several times. The new guilder's official launch at the end of March 2025 was eventually planned.[5]
In the 18th century, the Dutch guilder circulated in the Netherlands Antilles. This was supplemented in 1794 by an issue of coins specific for the Dutch holdings in the West Indies. At this time, the guilder was subdivided into 20 stuiver.
Between 1799 and 1828, the reaal circulated on the islands, with 1 reaal = 6 stuiver or 3+1⁄3 reaal = 1 guilder. The Dutch guilder was reintroduced in 1828, subdivided into 100 cents. When currency began again to be issued specifically for use in the Netherlands Antilles, it was issued in the name of Curaçao, with the first banknotes and coins, denominated in the Dutch currency, introduced in 1892 and 1900, respectively. The name "Netherlands Antilles" (Nederlandse Antillen) was introduced in 1952.
In 1940, following the German occupation of the Netherlands, the link to the Dutch currency was broken, with a peg to the U.S. dollar of 1.88585 guilders = 1 dollar established. The peg was adjusted to 1.79 guilders = 1 dollar in 1971.
In 1986, Aruba gained a status aparte and left the Netherlands Antilles. Shortly after that, Aruba began to issue its own currency, the Aruban florin, which replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder at par.
Curaçao and Sint Maarten intended to replace their currency, ceasing production thereof, but as of December 2020[update], these territories still use the Antillean guilder. Current banknotes and coins now require replacement,[7] and only two years of Antilles guilder physical currency remaining for use. There has been talk that the islands could opt for the euro or possibly the US dollar in lieu of implementing their own new currency.[8]
In November 2019, Curaçao Finance Minister Kenneth Gijsbertha confirmed the introduction of the Caribbean guilder,[9] and the Central Bank announced the same a year later.[4]
By August 2021, it was reported that the new guilder was expected to launch in either 2023 or 2024.[10] In September 2022, however, CBCS announced an introduction date of 2024.[11] Then in July 2023, its release was postponed to 2025 at the latest.[12] Indeed, by June 2024, that guilder was planned to be introduced on 31 March 2025. After the introduction of the Caribbean guilder, the Netherlands Antillean guilder will remain legal tender until 30 June 2025.[5]
Coins
A one cent coin from 1998.
In 1794, silver coins were issued for use in the Dutch West Indies in denominations of 2 stuiver, 1⁄4, 1, and 3 guilders. The Dutch guilder was reintroduced in 1828, and some 1 guilder coins were cut into quarters and stamped with a "C" in 1838 to produce 1⁄4-guilder coins.
In 1900 and 1901, silver 1⁄10 and 1⁄4-guilder coins were introduced, which circulated alongside Dutch coins. Following the German occupation of the Netherlands and the separation of the Netherlands Antillean currency from the Dutch, a bronze 1-cent coin was introduced in 1942, followed by a cupro-nickel 5-cent coin in 1943. Bronze 2+1⁄2 cent and silver 1 and 2+1⁄2 guilders were introduced in 1944. The coinage of 1941–44 was minted in the United States and carried "P" or "D" mintmarks, and for most denominations a small palm tree. This money was also intended for use in Suriname. The alternate Dutch names for some of these coins are: 5 cent—stuiver; 10 cent—dubbeltje; 25 cent—kwartje; and 2+1⁄2 guilders—rijksdaalder.
From 1952, the name "Nederlandse Antillen" appeared on the coins. In 1970, nickel replaced silver, although the 2+1⁄2-guilder coin was not reintroduced until 1978. Aluminium 1 and 2+1⁄2 cents were introduced in 1979. In 1989, aluminium 1 and 5 cents, nickel-bonded-steel 10 and 25 cents, and aureate-steel 50 cents, 1 and 2+1⁄2 guilders were introduced. Aureate-steel 5-guilder coins followed in 1998.
The five-guilder coin is produced from aureate steel. The spots on the obverse are the result of corrosion, and are not a typical feature of the coin. Octagonal ridges are built into the face to help distinguish it from the similar one-guilder coin. The obverse features Beatrix of the Netherlands, while the reverse has the coat of arms of the Netherlands Antilles.
The one-guilder coin is produced from aureate steel. The obverse features Beatrix of the Netherlands, while the reverse has the coat of arms of the Netherlands Antilles.
The 50-cent coin is diamond-shaped. It is the only modern Antillean coin in this form, but an earlier version of the five-cent piece was also in this shape.
Banknotes
In 1892, the Curaçaosche Bank introduced notes in denominations of 25 and 50 cents, 1 and 2+1⁄2 guilders. This was the only issue of the cent denominations. Notes for 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 and 500 guilders followed in 1900. The 1 and 2+1⁄2 guilder notes were suspended after 1920 but reintroduced by the government in 1942 as muntbiljet.
From 1954, the name "Nederlandse Antillen" appeared on the reverse of the notes of the Curaçaosche Bank and, from 1955, the muntbiljet (2+1⁄2 guilders only) was issued in the name of the Nederlandse Antillen. In 1962, the bank's name was changed to the Bank van de Nederlandse Antillen. Starting in 1969, notes dated 28 AUGUSTUS 1967 began to be introduced. The front of these notes all feature the Statuut monument at front left instead of the allegorical seated woman found on the preceding issues, and on the back there is a new coat of arms.[13] In 1970, a final issue of muntbiljet was made in denominations of both 1 and 2+1⁄2 guilders. The 500 guilder note was not issued after 1962. The 5 and the 250 guilder notes were not issued after 1998. The 5 guilder was replaced with a coin.
The 10 guilder note is illustrated with a hummingbird. Security features include a surface foil tag, an embedded hologram under the hummingbird, and an orange moiré pattern contrasting with the green note.
The 25 guilder note is illustrated with a Caribbean flamingo. Security features include a surface foil tag, an embedded hologram under the flamingo, and a green moiré pattern contrasting with the pink note.
The 50 guilder note has an rufous-collared sparrow on the face. Security features include a surface foil tag, an embedded hologram under the sparrow, and a green moiré pattern contrasting with the orange note.
The 100 guilder note has a bananaquit on the face. Security features include a surface foil tag, an embedded hologram under the bananaquit, and a green moiré pattern contrasting with the brown note.
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