Curaçao and Sint Maarten: 5 Guilder Red Cross 2017

[eurocoin]

The Royal Dutch Mint is later this year planning to issue a 5 gulden coin for Curaçao and Sint Maarten to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Red Cross. The design of the coin was made by Ellis Kloosterman, who is often being asked to design the collectors coins of the islands. What is the most interesting about this coin however is the fact that it does not mention the Netherlands Antilles. Until now every modern coin issued by the 2 islands always mentioned the former name. The Netherlands Antilles were dissolved in 2010 and ever since Curaçao and Sint Maarten have been trying to issue their new currency, the Caribbean Guilder.

Although Elles Kloosterman usually makes ok designs, I consider the reverse of the coin to be a mess and I am not fond of the obverse either.

[Prosit]

I have been to Sint Maarten (twice) but not Curacao although it is on my bucket list. Interesting looking coin but I have recently decided no more collector-only coins for me.
Circulating issues only.

Dale

[Figleaf]

I consider the reverse of the coin to be a mess and I am not fond of the obverse either.

I agree and would add that the symbolism is, at least for me, somewhat confused. Not sure who the figure in the background is. It looks most like William III (no, it's not Dunant) and I don't know what his connection with the red cross is - which may be my ignorance. The date 1867 is within the reign of William III.

The words on the other side mean impartiality, humanity, generality, unity, voluntaryness, neutrality, independence. Of these, impartiality, neutrality and independence have been criticised as kowtowing to bloodthirsty dictators. Case in point: in Syria, the Russian air force is bombing the hospitals of "Doctors without borders" to kill the wounded. The red half moon isn't there, because it requires the permission of all belligerents to enter. "Doctors without borders exposes the humanitarian crimes committed. Even if the red half moon would be there, its policy would prohibit criticism of any party. In other words, half of the words on the coin are criticising the red cross.

Peter

[chrisild]

Somewhat busy indeed. I see six crosses in different sizes, I see a second man who looks as if he had just had a noodle dish a little too hastily and four hands, two of which are in a heart ...

May well be that the hands were taken from some logo, dunno. And yes, the second portrait is probably Willem - the explanatory image that I posted in the NL €5 coin topic mentions a royal portrait "tot aan de borst; een link naar Koning Willem III die in 1867 de start van het Nederlandse Rode Kruis mogelijk maakte."

Those words (principles) can also be found on the German Red Cross coin from 2013. They may not work well any more these days, and of course you could add a sentence such as "provided that, in the case of armed conflicts, all parties adhere to these ideals." Peacekeeping or humanitarian missions cannot work if one or more major conflict parties do(es) not respect them ...

Well, I may still buy the coin because of the new "country" name. Will see.

Christian

[eurocoin]

It appears that the government of Curaçao and Sint Maarten did not give permission for the issuance of the coin.

[Figleaf]

Making the design more interesting now.

Peter

[eurocoin]

According to Erik J Van Loon on his blog, the design has been changed. A low quality image of the new design can be seen below. It again depicts "the Netherlands Antilles".

[Bimat]

Commemorative Coin 150 Years Of Dutch Red Cross

Published On: Thu, Nov 23rd, 2017

WILLEMSTAD - On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Dutch Red Cross, the Central Bank has minted a silver commemorative coin of 5 guilders.

The divisions Curaçao and Sint Maarten fall under the Dutch Red Cross. The coin is made of silver and 400 copies have been minted.

Those who are interested in purchasing this coin can do so at the offices of the Central Bank in Scharloo, Willemstad. The purchase price is 107 guilders and 50 cents.

Source: Curacao Chronicle

[eurocoin]

Difference in mintmastermark, images above in this topic have sails only, images of the newspaper have sails + star.

[chrisild]

By the way, neighboring Aruba also has a "Red Cross" commem. Don't think that one has been mentioned in a WoC topic, but I could be wrong.
https://www.knm.nl/aruba-5-florin-2017-60-jaar-rode-kruis/nl/product/9594/

Christian