Logo Title
obverse
reverse
brismike CC BY-NC
Context
Years: 1982–2001
Issuer: Netherlands Issuer flag
Ruler: Beatrix
Currency:
(1817—2001)
Demonetization: 28 February 2002
Total mintage: 732,551,050
Material
Diameter: 21 mm
Weight: 3.5 g
Thickness: 1.45 mm
Shape: Round
Composition: Bronze (95% Copper, 4% Tin, 1% Zinc)
Magnetic: No
Technique: Milled
References
KM: #Click to copy to clipboard202
Numista: #732
Value
Exchange value: 0.05 NLG
Inflation-adjusted value: 0.13 NLG

Obverse

Description:
Beatrix left, inscription right.
Inscription:
BEATRIX KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN
Translation:
Beatrix Queen of the Netherlands
Script: Latin
Language: Dutch

Reverse

Description:
Value | Date
Inscription:
5ct 1999
Script: Latin

Edge

Plain

Mints

NameMark
Royal Dutch Mint

Mintings

YearMint MarkMintageQualityCollection
198247,100,000
198210,000Proof
198360,200,000
198315,000Proof
198470,700,000
198420,000Proof
198517,000Proof
198536,100,000
19867,700,000
198619,000Proof
198718,000Proof
198733,300,000
198822,600,000
198819,550Proof
198927,100,000
198915,300Proof
199039,200,000
199015,100Proof
199173,000,000
199114,000Proof
199252,600,000
199212,600Proof
199340,000,000
199312,000Proof
199413,900,000
199412,500Proof
19955,900,000
199511,500Proof
199639,900,000
199613,500Proof
199735,900,000
199712,000Proof
199865,000,000
199812,000Proof
199916,340,000
199915,000Proof
200029,900,000
200015,000Proof
200117,000Proof
200115,815,000

Historical background

In 1982, the Netherlands operated within the European Monetary System (EMS), a framework established in 1979 to create a zone of monetary stability in Europe by reducing exchange rate volatility. The core of the EMS was the Exchange Rate Mechanism (ERM), which pegged participating currencies, including the Dutch guilder, within a band around a central rate against the European Currency Unit (ECU). The Netherlands was a committed and disciplined member, maintaining a very tight peg between the guilder and the Deutsche Mark (DM), the anchor currency of the system. This policy, often called the "hard guilder" policy, was a cornerstone of Dutch economic philosophy, prioritizing low inflation and exchange rate stability over autonomous monetary policy.

This commitment was tested by the economic turbulence of the early 1980s, a period marked by the aftermath of the second oil shock, a deep recession, and high unemployment. While other countries, like France, faced severe pressure and devalued their currencies within the ERM, the Dutch guilder remained remarkably stable. This stability was achieved through strict fiscal discipline and a monetary policy that closely shadowed the anti-inflationary stance of the German Bundesbank. Consequently, inflation in the Netherlands fell sharply from double digits in the late 1970s to around 6% in 1982, aligning closely with German levels and reinforcing the credibility of the peg.

The currency situation in 1982 thus reflected a nation firmly anchoring its economic fortunes to Germany and the broader project of European monetary integration. The successful maintenance of the guilder-DM link provided a stable foundation for trade and investment but came at a short-term cost, requiring high interest rates that contributed to the depth of the domestic recession. This unwavering choice set a critical precedent, solidifying the Netherlands' reputation as a core, stability-oriented member of the European monetary order, a position that would seamlessly lead to its adoption of the euro two decades later.

Series: 1982 Netherlands circulation coins

5 Cents obverse
5 Cents reverse
5 Cents
1982-2001
10 Cents obverse
10 Cents reverse
10 Cents
1982-2001
25 Cents obverse
25 Cents reverse
25 Cents
1982-2001
1 Gulden obverse
1 Gulden reverse
1 Gulden
1982-2001
2½ Gulden obverse
2½ Gulden reverse
2½ Gulden
1982-2001
🌱 Very Common