In 1817, the first coins of the decimal currency were issued, the copper 1 cent and silver 3 guilder. The remaining denominations were introduced in 1818. These were copper ½ cent, silver 5, 10 and 25 cents, ½ and 1 guilder, and gold 10 guilder. In 1826, gold 5 guilder coins were introduced.
In 1840, the silver content of the coinage was reduced (see above) and this was marked by the replacement of the 3 guilder coin by a 2½ guilder piece. The gold coinage was completely suspended in 1853, five years after the suspension of the gold standard. By 1874, production of silver coins greater in value than 10 cents had ceased, to be only fully resumed in the 1890s. Gold 10 guilder coins were struck again from 1875. In 1877, bronze 2½ cent coins were introduced. In 1907, silver 5 cent coins were replaced by cupro-nickel pieces. In 1912, gold 5 guilder coins were reintroduced but the gold coinage was ended in 1933.
In 1941, following the German occupation, production of all earlier coin types ceased and zinc coins were introduced for 1, 2½, 5, 10 and 25 cents. Large quantities of pre-war type, silver 10 and 25 cents and 1 guilder coins were minted in the United States between 1943 and 1945 for use following liberation.
In 1948, all half cents were taken out of circulation, and new bronze 1 and 5 cents coins and nickel 10 and 25 cents coins were introduced. In 1949, 1 and 2½ guilders banknotes were introduced. Five years later, the silver 1 guilder coin was reintroduced, followed by the silver 2½ guilders coin in 1959. The silver content was replaced with nickel in 1967, although no 2½ guilders coins were minted in 1967 and 1968. The silver coins were demonetised in 1973.
Varieties:
- KM# 161.1 (1922-1944) with obverse legend ending below the neck.
- KM# 161.2 (1944-1945) with obverse legend ending at the right of the neck.