NEW CARIBBEAN GUILDER NOTES AND COINS

Curaçao and Sint Maarten are autonomous countries in the Kingdom of the Netherlands. On March 31, 2025, they will introduce their own currency, the Caribbean guilder, to replace the former Netherlands-Antillean guilder. -Garrett

In 2010, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. It was then decided that the two countries would form a monetary union with a shared central bank and one currency - the Caribbean guilder. This new currency will replace the Netherlands-Antillean guilder that has been in circulation on the former island of the Netherlands Antilles.

The Caribbean guilder will be legally pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = 1.79 Caribbean guilder. The exchange rate between the Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder will be 1:1. The Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder are of equal value. The Caribbean guilder is expected to be introduced in the monetary union on March 31, 2025.

The design for the Caribbean guilder banknotes draws inspiration from the "World Under the Sea". The front of the banknotes shows the vibrant marine life native to Curaçao and Sint Maarten, while the reverse shows historical and cultural landmarks in both countries.

The Caribbean guilder coins share the maritime theme, with the seashells, the turtles and the waves of the ocean. The coins have similar but distinct designs for Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

The 1 through 50 cent shows the Orange Blossom on the front and reads either "Curaçao" or "Sint Maarten". The back of the coin shows the denomination and the year of issue.

The 1-guilder coins show the effigy of King Willem-Alexander. The Curaçao 1 Cg shows the island of Curaçao, while the Sint Maarten 1 Cg shows the national coat of arms.

The CBCS launched the "My Caribbean Guilder" mobile application to make you familiar with the new banknotes and coins, even without physically having them in your hands. The app also provides information about the Caribbean guilder theme and everything that is featured on the notes and coins. Download the app for free and start exploring our treasures of the Caribbean.

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten provided additional information on their website, as well as a YouTube video. -Garrett

The CBCS is working towards the introduction of the Caribbean Guilder - the new currency for the countries of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. This new currency will replace the Netherlands Antillean guilder that has been in circulation on the former island of the Netherlands Antilles - Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, and Saba - since 1952.

In 1986, when Aruba attained a separate status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, it introduced the Aruban florin. In 2010, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba introduced the US dollar as their official currency, when the Netherlands Antilles ceased to exist, and the three islands became special municipalities within the Netherlands. At that same time, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom. It was then decided that the two countries would form a monetary union with a common central bank and a common currency, being the Caribbean guilder.

The Caribbean guilder will be legally pegged to the U.S. dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = 1.79 Caribbean guilder.

The exchange rate between the Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder will be 1:1. The Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder are of equal value.

On August 22, 2024, the designs of the Caribbean banknotes and coins were revealed during a launch event in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

To read the complete article, see:
Caribbean Guilder (https://www.centralbank.cw/functions/banknotes-coins/caribbean-guilder)

Thanks to Curaçao resident Jeff Koyen for passing this along. Nice designs. If any U.S. readers would like to obtain bills or coins for their collection, just let me know, and we'll see what we can work out. Jeff offered to get some from his bank once issued, and he could mail them during a U.S. visit this summer. -Editor

For more information, see:
Caribbean Guilder (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caribbean_guilder)