The Netherlands

1 Gulden = 100 cents

Head of Queen of the Netherland Beatrix

Cent: 1 (withdrawn 1 March 1983), 5, 10, 25 / Gulden: 2, 2,5, 5

On January 1, 1999, the European Monetary Union introduced the euro as a common currency to be used by the financial institutions of member countries; Three years later, on 1 January 2002, the euro became the sole currency for everyday transactions with the member countries

The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I, but suffered invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EEC (now the EU), and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.

Borders	Belgium 450 km, Germany 577 km
Economy	Population: 16,318,199 (July 2004 est.) GDP per capita: $ 28275.17

The Royal Dutch Mint

Dutch coins have been made in Utrecht since 1567. As one of the oldest businesses in our country the Royal Dutch Mint is also proud of its long and rich past. The Dutch State provides in the demand for circulation money by giving the Royal Dutch Mint the assignment to manufacture this money. The company has taken up a special position in the country, as well as striking circulation money it also serves the (inter)national collectors market with coins, medals and coin related products.

Due to its centuries of experience the Royal Dutch Mint has acquired much knowledge and skill for developing and producing coins and medals. The company strengthened its position as coin expert during the period of the initial euro production. In the period from 1999 to 2002, 2.8 billion euro coins were produced. The euro production in the mentioned period was six times higher on a yearly basis than the usual yearly guilder production.

As well as euro coins, the Royal Dutch Mint also strikes commemorative coins, such as the 10 euro coin that came out in 2002 for the occasion of the wedding between the Royal Highnesses Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Maxima. More recently, a 5 euro coin was issued to honor the 400th birthday of Rembrandt.

For further information, contact Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt, Postbus 2407, 3500 GK Utrecht, Netherlands, Telephone: +31-30-2910465, Fax: +31-30-2946179, E-mail: info@coins.nl, Internet: http://en.knm.nl

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