By Coin & Currency Institute….
April 30, 2013 saw the Netherlands crown its first king in over a century when Crown-Prince Willem Alexander succeeded his mother, Queen Beatrix, after she stepped down that same day. The seating of a new monarch in the Netherlands is neither a coronation nor an inauguration, but is instead referred to as an “investiture.” The first Dutch king in over a century is being commemorated in all the Dutch component states (the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curaçao & St. Maarten) with gold and silver coins.
In the Netherlands, The Dutch Ministry of Finance authorized four coins with the same basic design: a silver-plated copper €10 coin, another €10 but in .925 fine silver, and €50 and €20 .900 fine gold coins. The obverse shows the new king as though observing an audience, which appears on the reverse. A banner with the royal motto “Je Maintiendrai” (“I will maintain”) is split between the two sides as a unifying device. The design is said to symbolize the three elements the new king considers the focus of his reign: unity, representation, and encouragement.
€50 and €20 gold coins and €10 silver coins are issued only on royal occasions. The €50 (27mm, 13.44 g) is available only as part of one of just 1,000 issued “Royal Prestige Sets,” which also includes the three other coins, for $1,775.00. They are housed in a wood box. The proof .900 fine gold €20 coin weighs 8.5 grams and is 25 millimeters in diameter with a mintage limit of 2,500 pieces. It costs $695.00. It, too, is in a wood box. The proof .925 silver €10 coin is in a color jacket and is $77.50. It weighs 25 grams, is 38 mm and has a mintage limit of 12,500 coins.
The silver-plated copper coin is is a circulating commemorative in the Netherlands. Although it is the same denomination as the silver version, it is 33 mm in diameter and weighs 15.5 grams. The price is $29.50.
The Dutch Caribbean states chose traditional designs showing the new king’s head on the obverse with values, crowns and coats of arms on the reverse. Aruba is issuing two proof coins, a 10 florin gold and a 5 florin silver. The former is .999 gold and is in the popular 1.932 mm and 1.244 gram small format. It has a maximum mintage of 750 and costs $125.00. The 5 florin is a traditional crown size coin at 38 mm and with 25 grams of .925 fine silver. It is $79.50 and has a mintage of 2,000.
The coins from Curaçcao and St. Maarten, parts of the former Netherlands Antilles are 10 and 5 gulden. The former sells for $274.50 and contains 3.364 grams of .900 fine gold with a size of 18.5 mm. Maximum mintage is 750 coins in proof quality. The 5 gulden is .925 silver, 11.9 grams and 25 mm. 2,000 proof coins are being minted at an issue price of $76.50.
Orders are being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. To order visit www.coin-currency.com or contact the Coin & Currency Institute, P.O. Box 399, Williston, VT 05495. Toll-free 1-800-421-1866. Fax 802-536-4787. E-mail: [email protected]. Add $5.75 per order for shipping and handling. Vermont residents should add 6% sales tax. Major credit cards are accepted.
