The Golden Fiver of 1912

The Origin

The gold 5 guilder, officially known as the gold five, was first minted in 1826 with the portrait of the great-grandfather of Wilhelmina, William 1. The coin was legal tender at the time and served as a symbol of Dutch prosperity and stability. In 1912, under the reign of Queen Wilhelmina, a special edition of the golden fiver was issued. During Wilhelmina's reign, only the year 1912 came out. This fiver was minted in a circulation of 1 million copies. How many copies eventually survived is unknown. Some coins were surrendered to the bank at the time when the coin went out of circulation. Also, some of the specimens were melted down for the gold. The coin also weighs half of a golden tenner, namely 3.36 grams with a gold content of 900/1000. 

The Design

The design of the 1912 gold Wilhelmina fiver is a masterpiece of Dutch coinage. The obverse of the coin features a majestic image of Queen Wilhelmina, surrounded by the inscription "Wilhelmina Queen." The reverse of the coin shows the Dutch coat of arms flanked by symbols of prosperity and trade and "Kingdom of the Netherlands." The design exudes royal grandeur and national pride, and has many admirers around the world. Thus, the gold fiver was not only appreciated by collectors, but people also wore this coin as jewelry in a gold pendant as a sign of pride. The fiver had a diameter of 18 mm with a serrated edge. Not to forget, that the coin was also counterfeited. Especially in the 70s and 80s, more and more (copper) forgeries came on the market. This coin sometimes had a lower gold content, but was not an official coin. Also known as the jewelers five.

Significance and Rarity

This gold coin has not only aesthetic value, but also historical and financial significance. As a reminder of Queen Wilhelmina's royal jubilee and a symbol of Dutch pride, this coin represents an important chapter in Dutch history. Moreover, the limited edition of this jubilee coin is a factor that contributes to its rarity and value on the collector's market. Also, this coin is also purchased as a investment. 

Conclusion

The 1912 golden fiver remains a shining example of Dutch numismatics and royal heritage. With its beautiful design, historical significance and rarity, this coin has earned a special place in the world of coin collecting. As a beloved collector's item and a tangible reminder of an important anniversary in Dutch history, the 1912 gold five will always remain a source of admiration and fascination for collectors, investors and enthusiasts around the world.