In 1818 the United Kingdom of the Netherlands started the issuance of its first series of coins. It is important to note that the 2,5 guilder coin that was issued in 1816 remained in use as well as the provincial coinage from before the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was founded.
In 1818 the pieces of 5 cent, 1/2 gulden, 1 gulden and 3 gulden were issued and in 1819 the series was completed with the introduction of the 1/2 cent, 1 cent, 10 cent and 25 cent coins. Interestingly, besides the abbreviated 'c.' for cent, these lower denominations don't have any words on them. All of the coins were minted at both the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht and Royal Mint of Belgium in Brussels.
The 1/2 cent and 1 cent coins depict the crowned letter W (referring to King William I) on the obverse and the crowned coat of arms of the Netherlands on the reverse. These designs were made by David van der Kellen Sr.
The 5, 10 and 25 cent coins depict a more stylised crowned letter W on the obverse and the crowned coat of arms of the Netherlands on the reverse. These designs were also made by David van der Kellen Sr.
The 1/2 guilder, 1 guilder and 3 guilder coins depict a portrait of King William I facing right on the obverse as well as the sentence Willem Koning der Ned.G.H.V.L. which translates to "William, King of the Netherlands, Grand Duke of Luxembourg". On the reverse the crowned coat of arms of the Netherlands can be seen with the lettering Munt van het Koningryk der Nederlanden, which translates to "Coin of the Kingdom of the Netherlands". Under the portrait an anchor and a roman oil lamp can be seen which refer to the engraver of the coin, Auguste-François Michaut. His name is also included on the coin.
