After 2010, Curaçao and Sint Maarten became autonomous countries within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, following the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles. It was then decided that the two countries would form a monetary union, keeping the Antillean guilder.
On March 31, 2025, a new currency, the Caribbean guilder, was launched to replace the Antillean guilder. The new series is dated 2024 and was put into circulation by Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS).
There are five denominations in the new series: 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 guldens (Dutch for “guilders”). The new denominations represent a slight variation from those of the previous series.
Design inspired by the “World Under the Sea”
The CBCS describes the design of the new Caribbean guilder notes as drawing inspiration from the “World Under the Sea.” The front of the banknotes features the vibrant marine life native to Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The reverse side of each note depicts significant a historical or cultural landmark. The new banknotes are printed on paper.
200 Guilders Note
100 Guilders Note
50 Guilders Note
20 Guilders Note
10 Guilders Note
Security features that fight counterfeiting
The new banknotes integrate modern security features to help prevent counterfeiting. According to the CBCS, these features include:
- 3D moving stripe (MOTION SURFACETM): When the banknote is tilted, a 3D image of “XCG” is visible inside the sun shining over a shell in ocean, and water droplets.
- High-relief printing: CENTRALE BANK VAN CURAÇAO EN SINT MAARTEN, signatures, plus the date and denomination are in raised (tactile) ink on the sea creature of each note.
- Color-changing ink (SPARK®): When the banknote is tilted, a shell changes color from blue to green.
- Security threads create the illusion of rapidly moving waves. Each denomination has a unique color thread.
- Iridescent color: Tilt the banknote to see wave motifs and “XCG” in golden metallic color.
- Watermark: A multi-tonal image of a compass combined with the letters “XCG” appear when the note is held up to the light.
- See-through register: Patterns on the front and reverse sides of each banknote together form the letters “XCG” when the note is held up to the light.
A special feature to help visually impaired consumers
Rows of raised ink, along the short edges of each banknote, are designed to help visually impaired consumers identify each denomination. The number of rows corresponds to the denomination.
The transition period from old to new notes
The Caribbean guilder and the Netherlands Antillean guilder banknotes will circulate alongside each other for three months after the Caribbean guilder is introduced. The Netherlands Antillean guilder will expire as legal tender on July 1, 2025.
Netherlands Antillean guilder notes can be exchanged at commercial banks until March 31, 2026, and at the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten until March 31, 2055.
Sources/References:
The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS)
Notafilia
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