Netherlands 1/2 Gulden (WWII Philadelphia Mint)
Country of Origin: Netherlands (Kingdom of the Netherlands), minted in the USA
Year of Issue: 1943
Denomination: 1/2 Gulden (50 Cents)
Composition: 72% Silver, 28% Copper (.720 fine)
Brief Description
A silver coin featuring Queen Wilhelmina on the obverse and the crowned coat of arms of the Netherlands on the reverse.
Historical Significance
Struck by the Philadelphia Mint in the United States while the Netherlands was under Nazi occupation during WWII. These coins were intended for use in the Netherlands East Indies or for the liberated areas of the Netherlands.
Estimated Value
$4-$10 in circulated condition, $15-$35 in Mint State (MS-60 to MS-65)
Care Instructions
Do not clean or polish the surfaces; handle by the edges only to avoid fingerprint oils, and store in an acid-free holder.
Mint Mark
P (Philadelphia Mint) - denoted by the palm tree privy mark on the reverse.
Mintage & Rarity
20,000,000; Common for the silver type.
Weight & Diameter
5.0 grams, 22 mm
Edge
Reeded
Apparent Grade
Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated; shows minor wear on the higher points of the hair and crown and light surface scratches.
Obverse (Front)
Head of Queen Wilhelmina facing left with hair in a bun. Legend: WILHELMINA KONINGIN DER NEDERLANDEN.
Reverse (Back)
Crowned coat of arms dividing the denomination 1/2 G. Legend around: MUNT VAN HET KONINGRIJK DER NEDERLANDEN. Date 1943 at the bottom.
What Drives This Coin's Value
Silver spot price, overall eye appeal, and lack of heavy wear or cleaning marks.
Similar Coins
1943 1/4 Gulden and 1 Gulden, which share the same design but differ in size and denomination.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for the distinct 'Palm Tree' privy mark near the date, which indicates the US production for the Dutch government-in-exile. Verify weight (5g) and diameter (22mm).
Notable Varieties & Errors
None widely recognized; however, variation in luster and strike quality are common.
Created At: 2026-05-05T21:46:23.170051