Netherlands. Willem II. 1/2 Gulden 1848

½ Gulden 1848 – Willem II

Kingdom of the Netherlands | Silver

Silver half-gulden from 1848, struck during the reign of King Willem II.

An attractive nineteenth-century issue from Willem II’s last full year on the throne. The striking portrait of the king dominates the obverse, while the reverse shows the crowned Dutch Royal Arms.

This specimen appears to have circulated only minimally. The coin portraits stand out sharply and clearly, and the surface has a lively appearance. A few minuscule hairline scratches are present and are mentioned for completeness.

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Obverse

The portrait of King Willem II to the right, with his characteristic features and carefully worked-out hairstyle.

Around the portrait the legend:
WILLEM II KONING DER NED. G.H.V.L.

Below the neck cut the name of the engraver.

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Reverse

Centered the crowned Dutch Royal Arms, with the Dutch lion bearing a sword and arrows.

To the sides of the shield the denomination:
½ – G

Below the arms the year:
1848

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Specifications

Country: Netherlands
Period: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Ruler: Willem II
Reign: 1840–1849
Year: 1848
Nominal value: ½ guilder
Metal: Silver
Fineness: 945/1000
Fine silver weight: 4.73 grams
Weight: 5.00 grams
Diameter: 22 mm

References: Schulman 531 · LSch. 410 · KM 73.1

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Historical context

The 1848 half-guilder was struck in one of the most significant years of Willem II’s reign.

In that same year the far-reaching constitutional reform of 1848 took place. This fundamentally changed the Dutch political system and laid the groundwork for the parliamentary constitutional monarchy as the Netherlands would further develop it.

Willem II had already died in 1849, making 1848 also his last full year on the throne.

Precisely that historical context gives this half-guilder an extra dimension. A silver coin from a key year in Dutch history, which moreover gives the impression of having circulated in only minimal payments.