Netherlands, Wilhelmina, 1923, Silver Guilder, KM 161

[aws22]

Netherlands, Wilhelmina, 1923, Silver Guilder, KM 161
Weight 10 gm
Diameter 28 mm
Metal Silver 0.720
Edge lettering GOD * ZIJ * MET * ONS *

Maythem

[Figleaf]

Your id is correct. I can only add mintage (8.05 million) and the name of the mint master: Dr. C. Hoitsema, whose sign, hippocampus, appears near the down left corner of the shield.

From 1815, silver content was 945. However, the relation between silver value and denomination was broken after the Napoleonic wars. As long as countries maintained standard coins, with full value silver, there was the danger of a rise in the price of silver, so that coins would be melted massively. This increase indeed came about (this is why e.g. early Swiss 5 frank pieces are so expensive) and it was worsened by the increasing political tension that would eventually lead to the first world war. The Dutch government decided to let the idea of standard coins go between 1898 and 1929 (no 2½ gulden coins were minted in that period, as they would have been melted immediately) for the 2½ gulden. Lower silver content was introduced in 1917 for the 1 gulden and in 1919 for the ½ gulden. Lower denominations did not have a high silver content to begin with.

Peter

[aws22]

Thank you Peter, nice description.

Maythem