Milestones in the coinage of the Netherlands

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In 1832 the production of the 3 guilder coin was discontinued.

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In August 1830 Daniel Auber's opera La Muette de Portici, about the repression of Neapolitans, was staged in Brussels. Performances of this show seemed to crystallize a sense of nationalism and "Hollandophobia" in Brussels, and spread to the rest of the South. Rioting ensued, chiefly aimed at the kingdom's unpopular justice minister, Cornelis Felix van Maanen, who lived in Brussels. An infuriated William responded by sending troops to repress the riots. However, the riots had spread to other Southern cities. The riots quickly became popular uprisings. Soon an independent state of Belgium was proclaimed. For several years there was a war between the north and the south but eventually King William I was forced to end the war due to the high costs. The United Kingdom of the Netherlands was dissolved by the Treaty of London (1839) and the northern part continued as the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It was not renamed, however, as the "United"-prefix had never been part of its official name, but rather was retrospectively added by historians for descriptive purposes.

In 1832 Belgium introduced its own series of coins that was also legal tender in Luxembourg. The Dutch guilder coins were no longer in use in Belgium and Luxembourg which had become independent.

[eurocoin]

In 1840 a new effigy of King William I was introduced on the 1 guilder and 2,5 guilder coins. It was only used for 1 year as King William II ascended the throne in October of that same year. The design was made by Johannes Petrus Schouberg. At the same time there were also made some minor changes on the reverse of these coins.

[eurocoin]

In October of 1840 William II ascended the throne. In 1841 and 1842 his effigy was introduced on respectively the coins of 2,5 and 1 guilder. It took until 1847 before the first 1/2 guilder coins were introduced with this portrait. The design was made by David van der Kellen Jr.

[eurocoin]

In 1848 new coins of 10 and 25 cents were introduced. On the obverse a new effigy of King William II by Johannes Petrus Schouberg can be seen. This effigy was only used on the 10 and 25 cents coins. The reverse of the coins depicts 2 tied oak branches.

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In 1849 King William III ascended the throne. In that same year his portrait was introduced on the coins of 10 cents, 25 cents and 2,5 guilder. It was also introduced on the 1/2 and 1 guilder coins in their first year of minting after the inauguration. The design was made by Johannes Petrus Schouberg.

[eurocoin]

In 1850 a new 5 cents coin was introduced. Previously the coin depicted the crowned W on the obverse and crowned coat of arms of the Netherlands on the reverse. Now its design was made similar to that on the 10 and 25 cents coins. On the obverse a portrait of King William III by Johannes Petrus Schouberg can be seen and on the reverse the denomination and 2 tied oak branches are depicted.

[eurocoin]

In 1877 and 1878 new designs were introduced on the coins of 1/2 and 1 cent. Also a coin with a denomination of 2,5 cent was introduced. On the obverse of the coins a crowned lion can be seen holding a sword and a bundle of arrows. On the reverse of the coins, the denomination and 2 tied orange branches can be seen. The designs were made by the Dutch designer Johannes Cornelis Wienecke.

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The 1/2 cent coin.

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The 1 cent coin.

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The 2,5 cent coin.

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After the passing of King William III in 1890, Wilhelmina became queen of the Netherlands at the age of 10. In 1892 her portrait was introduced on the coins of 10 and 25 cents and 1 guilder. The design was made by medallist Ludwig Jünger and the dies were engraved by Willem Schammer.

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In 1898 a new portrait of Queen Wilhelmina was introduced on the coins of 10 cents, 25 cents, 1/2 guilder, 1 guilder and 2,5 guilders. The portrait was made by medallist Pier Pander. At the same time minor changes were made to the reverses of the 1/2 guilder, 1 guilder and 2,5 guilders coins.

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In 1907 a new 5 cents coin was introduced. On the obverse a crown is depicted between 2 oak branches and on the reverse the denomination is depicted between two tied orange branches. The design was made by Johannes Cornelis Wienecke.

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In 1909 the coins of 1/2 cent, 1 cent and 2,5 cent were redesigned. These new designs were introduced on the coins in their next year of minting. The redesign was made by Johannes Cornelis Wienecke who also made the original design.