The Netherlands 2013: Willem-Alexander, the new King.

[Jostein]

The next 30th april, The Netherlands will have a new King, and this mean new coins too 

I can't wait for the new designs 

[<k>]

I can't wait for the new designs 

Sorry, but they'll be very boring, like most modern Dutch issues. It will be interesting, nevertheless, to see a king on the coins - the first since 1890?

[Ukrainii Pyat]

Unlike in Britain I am sure that Queen Beatrix knows she hands the reigns to a responsible person.  Queen Elizabeth has stated that her's is a lifetime job - and for good reason.  Too bad they cannot just skip Princess Charles and declare their William IV King of the UK.

[chrisild]

Sorry, but they'll be very boring, like most modern Dutch issues. It will be interesting, nevertheless, to see a king on the coins - the first since 1890?

Right. There was Willem I (until 1840), followed by Willem II, followed by Willem III, followed by a brief female intermezzo, followed by Willem IV.

As for the circulation coin designs, well, Beatrix had precisely two for the eight denominations. (Interestingly, neither "type" could be used for the new coins - the Stars of Europe need to be positioned differently.) Whether there will be more designs for the Willem coins ... we'll see. I sure hope for the best.

Christian

[bart]

Unlike in Britain I am sure that Queen Beatrix knows she hands the reigns to a responsible person.  Queen Elizabeth has stated that her's is a lifetime job - and for good reason.  Too bad they cannot just skip Princess Charles and declare their William IV King of the UK.

I suppose you mean William V: William IV was king between George IV and Victoria... 
Btw: Princess Charles?

[chrisild]

Shall we move that part to the UK forums?

The Dutch Mint now offers a "Quadruple Willem" medal by the way, with the future king on one side (design: Michael Guilfoyle) and the three others on the reverse. http://www.knm.nl/De-officile-Willemspenning-Zilver-Proof/nl/product/1446/ Well, I hope that for the circulation coins a slightly different portrait will be used ...

Christian

[Figleaf]

An abdication was expected - the queens have created a tradition of abdication - but the timing unknown. The crown prince is a known quantity. All right, not clever enough to get bored with the job. His wife is probably more popular than he is. Also, this will be a short male interval. They have three daughters and are of an age when enough is enough.

It's too early to tell if there will be new coins in 2013. Since the news had not leaked AFIAK, the mint can probably start working on new designs only now. They usually need months to get a new design done and approved. Since the abdication will take place only in late April, a 2012 issue with queen Beatrix is quite possible.

Last time around, the void was filled with commemorative 1 and 2-1/2 gulden pieces. Something like that may happen again, with a special 2 euro issue on the succession issued in large quantities.

Peter

[Figleaf]

Saw the announcement. Beatrix made reference to the bi-centennial of the kingdom. I guess that makes it likely that the just announced coin on that occasion will be used as a stop-gap to smoothen the transition.

Peter

[bart]

The Royal Dutch Mint is acting fast: I saw the abdication-speech of Queen Beatrix on television at 19 PM and the first offer of the Mint entered my mailbox one and a half our later: the Abdication set part 1

Bart

[Bimat]

All I can say right now is that the new portrait on Dutch coins will be facing right.

Aditya

(Image courtesy: KNM FB page)

[chrisild]

Seems that quite a few people have already asked the Mint about the new issues. The KNM currently does not know though. ("Wanneer er nieuwe euromunten in circulatie komen is op dit moment nog niet bekend. Dit gebeurt in opdracht van het ministerie van Financiën.")

Christian

[<k>]

All I can say right now is that the new portrait on Dutch coins will be facing right.

That's interesting, because I thought only the British used that policy:

When were successive monarchs first portrayed facing in opposite directions?

[chrisild]

See the link in reply #5. That is not an official coin design, but it gives you an idea of what to expect ...

Christian

[Figleaf]

Maybe, but I think they are so committed to modern design they won't go back to renaissance type portraits now. I expect no heraldry either for the same reason. Mix this head with one of the three styles of the portraits on the euro coins of Luxembourg (designed in Utrecht) to get a better idea.

Peter

[Figleaf]

More news. The name on the coins will be Willem-Alexander, not Willem IV. The first male ruler since Frederik-Hendrik (1584 – 1647) not to be called Willem. Also, the first to note the reign change are not the coins, but the navy ships, whose name plaques amidship will change punctually on abdication from HMS to ZMS to indicate the gender change

Peter