The Netherlands has one of the most respected silver traditions in Europe. During the Dutch Republic (1581–1795), the seven provinces each struck their own silver — Leeuwendaalders, silver ducats, and heavy ducatons that circulated as trusted trade coins from the Baltic to the Levant to colonial America. After Napoleon’s defeat, the Kingdom of the Netherlands unified its money under Willem I with the decimal Gulden in 1816. Dutch silver stayed in circulation right up to 1967.
This guide covers every major Dutch silver coin — from Republic-era trade coins through the flagship Rijksdaalder (2½ Gulden), the everyday 1 Gulden, and the small change of daily life — with fineness, weight, actual silver weight (ASW), and how to calculate melt value at any spot price.
Jump to the live calculator: Netherlands Silver Coin Melt Value Calculator →
Melt values update automatically with the live silver spot price.
Which Dutch Coins Are Silver?
The short answer: Dutch circulation coins dated 1967 and earlier may contain silver, and the date is the single most important clue. Any Dutch coin dated 1968 or later contains no silver — the Netherlands switched fully to nickel that year. Fineness dropped in stages: the large Guldens and Rijksdaalders were .945 fine before about 1910, then .720 fine; the small 25- and 10-cent pieces were always .640 fine. The occupation-era zinc coins of 1941–1944 contain no silver at all.
| Era | Silver Content | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch Republic (pre-1815) | .750–.941 fine | Leeuwendaalder, Silver Ducat, Ducaton |
| Early Kingdom (1817–1909) | .945 fine | 2½ Gulden, 1 Gulden, ½ Gulden, 3 Gulden |
| 1848–1945 (small change) | .640 fine | 10 Cent, 25 Cent |
| c. 1910–1945 | .720 fine | Wilhelmina Guldens & Rijksdaalders |
| 1941–1944 | None (zinc) | Occupation coins — no silver |
| 1954–1967 (Juliana) | .720 fine | Lightweight 1 Gulden & 2½ Gulden |
| 1968–present | None | Nickel circulation coins |
| 1970–1998 (commemoratives) | .720–.925 fine | 10 Gulden, 50 Gulden |
Post-1967 circulating coins are not silver. The only silver struck after 1967 is found in the commemorative 10 Gulden (1970, 1973) and 50 Gulden (1982–1998) coins, which are collector issues rather than everyday money.
A Brief History of Dutch Silver Coinage
Dutch silver content went through two major shifts. Before roughly 1910, the Rijksdaalder, Gulden, and half-Gulden were struck in .945 fine silver — among the highest fineness used by any major European nation. A monetary reform gradually reduced fineness to .720 for the larger denominations, while the smaller 25-cent and 10-cent pieces stayed at .640 fine throughout their silver era. Under Queen Juliana the 1 Gulden and 2½ Gulden were made physically lighter in the 1950s, so a post-war coin holds less silver than a pre-war one of the same face value. The last Dutch silver circulating coins were struck in 1967.
Historic Trade Silver: The Dutch Republic (pre-1815)
Before the decimal Gulden, the provinces of the Dutch Republic struck some of the most widely traded silver coins in the world. These are numismatic pieces first and silver second — their collector value almost always exceeds their melt value, so they should be attributed and sold through a numismatic channel, not melted.
Leeuwendaalder (Lion Daalder)
The Leeuwendaalder, struck from about 1575 to 1713, was so trusted in international trade that it shaped the weight of early coinage in the American colonies and lent its name to the “dollar.” It was struck at roughly 27.68 g and .750 fine, giving an ASW of about 0.667 oz. Weights and fineness vary by province and year, so treat this as an approximate figure.
Silver Ducat (Zilveren Dukaat)
The Silver Ducat — the standing “silver rider” knight with the motto Concordia res parvae crescunt (“unity makes small things grow”) — was legal tender from 1659 to 1798 and has been revived by the Royal Dutch Mint as a collector coin since the late 1980s. It weighs 28.25 g at .873 fine for an ASW of about 0.793 oz — nearly a full troy ounce in a striking, historic design.
Ducaton (Silver Rider / Zilveren Rijder)
The Ducaton, or “Silver Rider,” is the heavyweight of Dutch Republic silver — an armored knight on horseback, struck from 1659 to 1798 at 32.78 g and .941 fine. That works out to an ASW of about 0.992 oz, essentially a full ounce of high-purity silver. Original ducatons are prized by collectors worldwide.
| Coin | Years | Fineness | Gross Weight | ASW (oz t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeuwendaalder (Lion Daalder) | c. 1575–1713 | .750 | ~27.68 g | ~0.667 |
| Silver Ducat (Zilveren Dukaat) | 1659–1798 / restrikes | .873 | 28.25 g | 0.793 |
| Ducaton (Silver Rider) | 1659–1798 | .941 | 32.78 g | 0.992 |
Kingdom Decimal Silver: Guilders and Rijksdaalders
Rijksdaalder — 2½ Gulden
The Rijksdaalder, worth 2½ Gulden, is the flagship Dutch silver coin for collectors and stackers. Struck under Willem II and III and later Queen Wilhelmina, this large 38 mm coin holds substantial silver and is easy to identify by its size and crowned portrait. Note the long gap: no 2½ Gulden was struck between 1875 and 1928, and the silver content dropped sharply when it returned.
- 1840–1874 (Willem II & III): 25.00 g, .945 fine — ASW 0.7596 oz
- 1929–1945 (Wilhelmina): 25.00 g, .720 fine — ASW 0.5787 oz
- 1959–1966 (Juliana): 15.00 g, .720 fine — ASW 0.3472 oz (smaller, lighter coin)
Watch the era carefully: a Wilhelmina Rijksdaalder holds far more silver (0.5787 oz) than the smaller Juliana version (0.3472 oz) struck after 1959, even though both read “2½ G.”
1 Gulden
The 1 Gulden is the most commonly encountered Dutch silver coin and comes in three distinct silver types. The 1954 weight reduction under Juliana matters: a post-war Gulden is lighter and worth less silver than a pre-war one despite the identical denomination.
- 1840–1909 (Willem II, III, early Wilhelmina): 10.00 g, .945 fine — ASW 0.3038 oz
- 1910–1945 (Wilhelmina): 10.00 g, .720 fine — ASW 0.2315 oz
- 1954–1967 (Juliana): 6.50 g, .720 fine — ASW 0.1505 oz
½ Gulden (50 Cent)
The half-Gulden bridges the large silver coins and the smaller subsidiary coinage. Like the 1 Gulden, it moved from .945 to .720 fine around 1910, and silver striking ended after 1919.
- 1848–1909: 5.00 g, .945 fine — ASW 0.1519 oz
- 1910–1919: 5.00 g, .720 fine — ASW 0.1157 oz
25 Cent
Dutch 25-cent pieces were struck in .640 fine silver. The coin’s weight changed slightly over its history — post-1892 pieces are a touch heavier than earlier issues, giving them a fractionally higher melt value.
- 1848–1890: 3.19 g, .640 fine — ASW 0.0656 oz
- 1892–1945: 3.575 g, .640 fine — ASW 0.0736 oz
10 Cent
The smallest silver Dutch denomination, 10-cent pieces were struck in .640 fine silver from the mid-19th century through 1944. Small (15 mm) and lightweight, their silver adds up quickly in bulk.
- 1848–1944: 1.40 g, .640 fine — ASW 0.0288 oz
3 Gulden (Willem I)
The short-lived 3 Gulden of Willem I (1817–1832) is the largest of the early Kingdom silver coins — roughly 32.06 g at .893 fine, an ASW of about 0.9205 oz. It is a scarcer type than the standard Gulden series and carries a collector premium above melt.
Modern Silver Commemoratives
After circulating silver ended in 1967, the Netherlands issued a handful of silver commemoratives for collectors:
- 10 Gulden (1970 Liberation, 1973 Reign Jubilee): 25.00 g, .720 fine — ASW 0.5787 oz
- 50 Gulden (1982–1998, various themes): 25.00 g, .925 fine — ASW 0.7435 oz
These trade close to melt in circulated or common grades, with premiums for low-mintage dates and high grades.
Complete Denomination Reference
Every major Dutch silver coin in one table — fineness, weight, and actual silver weight (ASW). To get the current melt value, multiply the ASW column by today’s silver spot price, or use the live calculator linked below.
| Denomination | Years | Fineness | Gross Weight | ASW (oz t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeuwendaalder (Lion Daalder) | c. 1575–1713 | .750 | ~27.68 g | ~0.667 |
| Silver Ducat (Zilveren Dukaat) | 1659–1798 / restrikes | .873 | 28.25 g | 0.7929 |
| Ducaton (Silver Rider) | 1659–1798 | .941 | 32.78 g | 0.9917 |
| 3 Gulden (Willem I) | 1817–1832 | .893 | 32.06 g | 0.9205 |
| 2½ Gulden (Rijksdaalder) | 1840–1874 | .945 | 25.00 g | 0.7596 |
| 2½ Gulden (Rijksdaalder) | 1929–1945 | .720 | 25.00 g | 0.5787 |
| 2½ Gulden (Rijksdaalder, Juliana) | 1959–1966 | .720 | 15.00 g | 0.3472 |
| 1 Gulden | 1840–1909 | .945 | 10.00 g | 0.3038 |
| 1 Gulden | 1910–1945 | .720 | 10.00 g | 0.2315 |
| 1 Gulden (Juliana) | 1954–1967 | .720 | 6.50 g | 0.1505 |
| ½ Gulden (50 Cent) | 1848–1909 | .945 | 5.00 g | 0.1519 |
| ½ Gulden (50 Cent) | 1910–1919 | .720 | 5.00 g | 0.1157 |
| 25 Cent | 1848–1890 | .640 | 3.19 g | 0.0656 |
| 25 Cent | 1892–1945 | .640 | 3.575 g | 0.0736 |
| 10 Cent | 1848–1944 | .640 | 1.40 g | 0.0288 |
| 10 Gulden (commemorative) | 1970 & 1973 | .720 | 25.00 g | 0.5787 |
| 50 Gulden (commemorative) | 1982–1998 | .925 | 25.00 g | 0.7435 |
→ Live melt values with current spot price: Netherlands Silver Coin Calculator
How to Calculate Melt Value
Every melt value comes from one formula:
Melt value = ASW (oz t) × silver spot price ($/oz t)
The ASW (Actual Silver Weight) in troy ounces is the only number that matters — it already accounts for both the coin’s gross weight and its fineness. The dollar value changes every time spot moves; the ASW never does.
Example: A .945 fine 1 Gulden (1840–1909) has an ASW of 0.3038 oz t. If silver spot is $32/oz, melt value = 0.3038 × $32 = $9.72. If spot rises to $50/oz, the same coin is worth 0.3038 × $50 = $15.19.
How fineness and weight combine: ASW = gross weight (grams) × fineness ÷ 31.1035 (grams per troy ounce). So the 1 Gulden: 10.00 g × 0.945 ÷ 31.1035 = 0.3038 oz t.
For the current spot price and up-to-date melt values across every Dutch denomination, use the Netherlands Silver Coin Melt Value Calculator — it updates automatically.
How to Identify Dutch Silver Coins
Check the date first. The single most important rule: any coin dated 1968 or later contains no silver. The 1967-dated 10 Cent, 25 Cent, and 1 Gulden are the last silver issues of each denomination — and they look identical to the later nickel pieces. Always read the date before anything else.
Beware the occupation-era zinc coins. During the German occupation (1941–1944), zinc substitute coins were issued for the 1, 2½, 5, 10, and 25-cent denominations. These contain no silver, weigh noticeably less, and often show corrosion or pitting. If a small Dutch coin feels unusually light, it’s almost certainly zinc — worth face value at best.
The magnet test. Silver is not magnetic. If a coin sticks to a magnet it is not silver. This is a quick screen for junk lots (and zinc occupation coins are only weakly magnetic, so also weigh anything suspicious).
Weight and size. Silver coins are heavier than the base-metal coins that replaced them. A pre-war .945 Gulden (10 g) is noticeably heavier than the lighter 1954+ Juliana Gulden (6.5 g), which is in turn heavier than the 1968+ nickel coin.
Look at the fineness era. Larger coins dated before about 1910 are .945 fine; the same denominations after 1910 are .720. The small 10- and 25-cent pieces are always .640.
Buying and Selling Dutch Silver
Junk silver lots of .640 fine 10- and 25-cent pieces and .720 fine Wilhelmina and Juliana Guldens are common and trade close to melt. They are an efficient way to accumulate Dutch silver by weight.
The Rijksdaalder (2½ Gulden) is the most popular Dutch silver coin for stackers — big, attractive, and easy to authenticate. Pre-1875 .945 examples carry collector premiums; the .720 Wilhelmina and Juliana pieces trade nearer to melt.
Republic trade coins — the Leeuwendaalder, Silver Ducat, and Ducaton — should be treated as numismatic coins, not silver by weight. Have them attributed and, for valuable pieces, graded (PCGS or NGC) before selling.
Key dates. Among Rijksdaalders, the low-mintage 1929 and 1930 Wilhelmina issues are sought by type collectors; for the 1 Gulden, the 1907 Wilhelmina is notably scarcer than surrounding years. Wartime 1943–1945 issues struck at the Philadelphia and San Francisco Mints (marked “P” or “S”) appeal to collectors of both Dutch and US numismatics and carry the same silver content as domestic strikes.
Where to trade. The Royal Dutch Mint (Koninklijke Nederlandse Munt), European coin dealers, and major auction houses such as Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers handle Dutch material. For generic junk silver, local coin shops and online bullion dealers are efficient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dutch coins are silver? Circulation coins dated 1967 and earlier may be silver; anything dated 1968 or later is nickel. Larger coins (2½ Gulden, 1 Gulden, ½ Gulden, 3 Gulden) before about 1910 are .945 fine, then .720 fine; the small 10- and 25-cent pieces are .640 fine. The 1941–1944 occupation coins are zinc, with no silver.
How much silver is in a Dutch Rijksdaalder (2½ Gulden)? It depends on the era. An 1840–1874 Rijksdaalder is .945 fine with 0.7596 oz ASW. A 1929–1945 Wilhelmina Rijksdaalder is .720 fine with 0.5787 oz. A 1959–1966 Juliana Rijksdaalder is smaller — .720 fine with just 0.3472 oz.
What is the silver content of a Dutch 1 Gulden? A pre-1910 Gulden is .945 fine (0.3038 oz ASW). A 1910–1945 Wilhelmina Gulden is .720 fine (0.2315 oz). A 1954–1967 Juliana Gulden is lighter — .720 fine with 0.1505 oz. See the reference table above, or use the live calculator.
Are Dutch coins dated 1967 silver? Yes — 1967 is the last silver year. The 1967 10 Cent, 25 Cent, and 1 Gulden are silver, and they look nearly identical to the 1968-and-later nickel versions. Always confirm the date.
Is a Dutch Silver Ducat (Zilveren Dukaat) worth more than melt? Yes. The Silver Ducat holds about 0.793 oz of silver (28.25 g at .873 fine), but historic examples and modern collector restrikes both sell at a premium over their melt value because of their design and demand.
How do I tell if my Dutch coin is silver? Check the date first (1967 or earlier for circulation silver), then confirm the denomination and expected weight in the reference table above. Use a magnet as a quick screen — silver is not magnetic. For valuable pieces, a reputable dealer or a calibrated precious-metals tester is the most reliable option.
Calculate the current melt value of your Dutch silver coins → Netherlands Silver Coin Melt Value Calculator
Updated live with the current silver spot price. All denominations by year, fineness, and ASW.
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