The Netherlands has a prestigious silver heritage, led by the legendary Leeuwendaalder (Lion Daalder). This coin was so successful in international trade that it influenced the weight of the early dollars in America and the thalers of Germany. For centuries, Dutch silver standards were among the most reliable in the world.
During the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Netherlands maintained a high 94.5% purity for its larger Gulden denominations. As economic pressures increased following the world wars, these purities were eventually reduced to 72% for the circulating coinage of Queen Wilhelmina and Queen Juliana. Silver remained in Dutch pockets until 1967, marking the end of a long and storied era of circulating precious metals.
| Coin Type | Purity | Years | ASW (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Gulden | 72.0% | 1970-1973 | 0.5787 |
| 2.5 Gulden (Juliana / Rijksdaalder) | 72.0% | 1959-1966 | 0.3472 |
| 2.5 Gulden (Wilhelmina) | 72.0% | 1929-1944 | 0.5787 |
| 2.5 Gulden (Rijksdaalder) | 94.5% | 1840-1898 | 0.7596 |
| 1 Gulden (Juliana) | 72.0% | 1954-1967 | 0.1505 |
| 1 Gulden (Wilhelmina) | 72.0% | 1922-1945 | 0.2315 |
| 1 Gulden | 94.5% | 1840-1917 | 0.3038 |
| 1/2 Gulden (Wilhelmina) | 72.0% | 1921-1930 | 0.1157 |
| 1/2 Gulden | 94.5% | 1848-1919 | 0.1519 |
| 25 Cents | 64.0% | 1849-1945 | 0.0736 |
| 10 Cents | 64.0% | 1849-1945 | 0.0288 |
| 5 Cents | 64.0% | 1850-1907 | 0.0141 |
| Leeuwendaalder (Lion Daalder) | 75.0% | 1575-1713 | 0.6580 |
