Overview
The Netherlands Antillean Guilder is the official currency of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, two Caribbean islands that were formerly part of the Netherlands Antilles (dissolved 2010). The Guilder is issued and managed by the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The currency is pegged to the United States Dollar at 1.79 ANG = 1 USD.
Etymology & History
The word "Guilder" (Dutch: "Gulden") derives from the Dutch gold coin of the Middle Ages. The Netherlands Antilles adopted the Guilder in 1828 when the Dutch colonial administration unified monetary systems across Caribbean possessions. The modern iteration continues post-2010, serving the two constituent countries that remain in monetary union.
The currency reflects centuries of Dutch colonial monetary control in the Caribbean, transitioning from Dutch florins to a dedicated Caribbean guilder.
Timeline of Key Events
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1828 | Netherlands Antilles adopts Guilder as unified currency |
| 1940–1945 | WWII; currency stability maintained under Dutch administration |
| 2010 | Netherlands Antilles dissolved; Curaçao and Sint Maarten retain Guilder in new central bank |
| 2017 | Hurricane Irma impact on Sint Maarten; currency stability maintained |
Current Denominations
Coins in circulation: 1, 5, 10, 25 Cents; 1, 5 Guilders
Banknotes in circulation: 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250 Guilders
Withdrawn: None actively withdrawn (full series in circulation)
Exchange Rate Regime
Fixed peg to USD: 1 ANG = 0.5587 USD (1.79 ANG per USD, maintained since 1989).
Convertibility
- Current account: Fully convertible
- Capital account: Convertible with minor restrictions
Monetary Policy Framework
The Central Bank maintains the peg and manages liquidity in accordance with the currency board arrangement, limiting independent monetary policy but ensuring stability.
Notable Characteristics
- Pegged to USD to ensure economic stability in tourism-dependent economies
- Shared currency across two separate political entities
- Limited monetary policy independence due to peg
- Tourism sector dominates currency demand