Guilder
The guilder (Dutch gulden) is the name of the currency used in the Netherlands from the 15th century until 1999, when it was replaced by the euro (coins and notes were not introduced until 2002). Two versions of the guilder are still in use in Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, both Dutch dependencies. The Suriname gulden has in 2004 been replaced by the Suriname dollar.
| Dutch gulden | |
|---|---|
| File:1gulden2001front.jpg | File:1gulden2001back.jpg |
| 1 Dutch gulden 2001 | |
In the 13th century, coins struck in Florence, Italy - the florenus - were widely accepted throughout Europe, including the Netherlands. Through time, the name and form of the coins became adapted to the region and the name gulden was used, short for gulden florijn (=golden florenus). However the abbreviation for the florenus, fl. or ƒ, remained in use.
Through time, other coins derived from the guilder emerged. Among them was the daalder, one and a half guilder. The name was derived from a large German coin called thaler.
Also see dollar.
Guilder is also a fictional nation in the book the The Princess Bride, as is florin.