Curacao and Sint Maarten
(Curacao and Sint Maarten, as at 10.10.2010)
Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten
Previously Bank of Netherlands Antilles (Est.1828)
Currency - Caribische Gulden/Caribbean Guilder (XCG)
Here is a full set of five notes all released on 31.03.2025. These are new currencies of Curacao and Sint Maarten called Caribische Gulden (Caribbean Guilder), replacing the previous currency of Netherlands Antillean Gulden/Guilder. As these are new currencies, all notes are also printed with the new central bank's name of the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten).
The Netherlands Antilles, also known as the Dutch Antilles are a group of Caribbean islands comprises the islands of Saba, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten in the Lesser Antilles region, and Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire in the Leeward Antilles (south of the Caribbean). This country was created in 1954 as the autonomous successor of the Dutch colony of Curacao and Dependencies. This union of these tiny nations was then dissolved on 10.10.2010 when each nation was granted specific statues by the government in the Netherlands. Since then, Curacao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, managing their own affairs with the exceptions of defence and foreign policy.
Since the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles in 2010, the authority continues to issue banknotes under the Netherlands Antilles's name. Aruba withdrew from the union on 01.01.1986 and since then has been issuing it's own currency - the Florin. Member nations like Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba (Caribbean Netherlands) ceased using the gulden currency and all adopted the United States dollar on 01.01.2011. This leaves Curacao and Sint Maarten the remaining two nations still using the gulden currency.
The arrangement for the Netherlands Antillean gulden currency used by both Curacao and Sint Maarten is due to expire on 30.06.2025. These new notes were reportedly released on 31.03.2025. Needless to say, the notes that I have posted here are the first series for these two tiny nations.
It is interesting to know that Sint Maarten is a very tiny island in the Lesser Antilles region. It is so tiny that you cannot see the island on a map via the Internet unless you zoom in. Even when you do that, you will also see that this island is split into two almost equal halves, with the top half occupied by the French and the bottom by the Dutch. Both the French and the Dutch called this island the same name, albeit with different spelling. Curacao is the larger of the two islands. The land area for Curacao is 444km2 whilst Sint Maarten is only 34km2 and the distance between these two islands are about 2+ hours apart by air. These two nations have a combined population of 190,000+/-.
The theme for this series is 'World Under The Sea'. On the front, each note shows a vibrant marine life native to Curacao and Sint Maarten, while the reverse side shows historical and cultural landmarks of both countries. All notes are also printed with the date of 31.03.2025. For this new series, all notes are printed horizontally on the front and vertically on the back.
The reasons for both Curacao and Sint Maarten sharing the same central bank are mainly due to economic, efficiency and effectiveness reasons as both countries are operating in an open but small economy and both countries are depending on the USA with fixed exchange rate. The Caribbean guilder is pegged to the US dollar at an exchange rate of US$1 = Cg1.79. The Netherlands Antillean guilder and the Caribbean guilder are of equal value. These notes were printed by Crane Currency.
Front - A single Gray angelfish. However, on the note it says Black Angelfish (Zwarte Keizersvis). To the central left is a Queen conch printed in green with the numeral 10 next to it. To the far right is a bloated fish.
Signatures
President - Richard A Doornbosch
Director Secretary - Leila A. Matroos-Lasten
Dated - 31 maart 2025 (31.03.2025)
Watermarks - Compass Rose and electrotype XCG
Dimensions - 148mm x 66mm
Back - An image of the Klein Curacao lighthouse. This lighthouse stands at 20 meters tall and was constructed in 1850. The lighthouse was then rebuilt in 1879. The Klein Curacao lighthouse is situated in the middle of the island of Klein Curacao, which is about 10 km south-east of the main island, Curacao. The island itself is about 1.7 sq km, and I believe the island has no permanent inhabitants. The only building on this small island is an old lighthouse, a beach house and a few huts. Due to advances in technology, the light house is not manned and is operated on solar power.
Front - A pair of Spotted Eagle rays (Gevlekte Adelaarsrog) swimming together in the same direction. To the central left is a Yellow cowry printed in green with the numeral 20 next to it. Cuttlefish is printed in the far right.
Signatures
President - Richard A Doornbosch
Director Secretary - Leila A. Matroos-Lasten
Dated - 31 maart 2025 (31.03.2025)
Watermarks - Compass Rose and electrotype XCG
Dimensions - 148mm x 67mm
Back - An aerial view of Simpson Bay in Sint Maarten with a bird
flying above. The island's international airport is located on Simpson
Bay and the airport was name Princess Juliana International Airport
when she was still the princess. This airport was opened in 1943. In
the background, you can see the airport's single runway. Would it be fair
to say that this is one of the very few islands that have two
international airports with a short distance for two nations? The other
one is the smaller airport called L'Esperance Airport controlled by the
French.
Front - Green Sea Turtle. Favoured tellin shell.
Signatures
President - Richard A Doornbosch
Director Secretary - Leila A. Matroos-Lasten
Dated - 31 maart 2025 (31.03.2025)
Watermarks - Compass Rose and electrotype XCG
Dimensions - 148mm x 66.5mm
Back - An aerial view of Grote Knip on the island of Curacao. Grote Knip is a beach resort situated in the northern end of Curacao island. Obviously this is also another tourist attraction on the island.
One Hundred Caribische Gulden
Front - Stoplight parrotfish. Music volute
Signatures
President - Richard A Doornbosch
Director Secretary - Leila A. Matroos-Lasten
Dated - 31 maart 2025 (31.03.2025)
Watermarks - Compass Rose and electrotype XCG
Dimensions - 168mm x 66.5mm
Back - Image of the Court House in Sint Maarten. This building is considered one of the most important buildings on the island. No doubt, this is a tourist attraction on the island and this courthouse was constructed in 1793. This building is located on Front Street.
Two Hundred Caribische Gulden
Front - A pair of Longsnout seahorses. Giant tun shell
Signatures
President - Richard A Doornbosch
Director Secretary - Leila A. Matroos-Lasten
Dated - 31 maart 2025 (31.03.2025)
Watermarks - Compass Rose and electrotype XCG
Dimensions - 148mm x 67mm
Back - Queen Emma Bridge. This is a pontoon bridge built across St. Anna Bay in the capital city of Willemstad on Curacao island. This bridge connects the Punda and Otrobanda quarters. Construction for this bridge was completed in 1888 and was named after Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont (b.1858-1934), who was then the queen consort of the Netherlands. Since 1888, this bridge has been restored twice, first in 1939 and then more recently in 2008.
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