April 2025 – This article is only available in English
Each auction again, we work hard to ensure there is something to suit every collector’s taste. This is why our current catalogue features no less than 500 banknotes, from all corners of the world. As a Dutch auction house, we are particularly proud of the 25 exceptional Dutch ‘gulden’ or guilder banknotes. Older Dutch banknotes, especially rare series, are highly sought after due to their historical value and colorful designs. They reflect The Netherlands’ rich history, featuring remarkable monarchs, artists and scientists, as well as national symbols like flowers, windmills and other landmarks. A guilder banknote with a special place in our collective history and popular culture is the 1000-guilder banknote a.k.a. ‘the red back’ from the iconic 1860 series.
Complex patterns and colorful artwork
Before 1860, Dutch banknotes were issued by various private banks, with no central bank overseeing the currency. These notes varied in design, depending on which bank had issued them and lacked uniformity. In 1860, De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) issued a remarkable new series of guilder banknotes. It was the first set of official state-issued banknotes, centralizing control of the Dutch guilder under a single, government-backed institution. All notes, also referred to as ‘reliëfrand’ or relief border series, included anti-counterfeiting measures like complex patterns and watermarks, and featured intricate and colorful artwork. The higher denominations feature a portrait of Minerva. The design of the smaller denominations included various symbols and allegorical figures that represented the Dutch state, economic strength, or national identity.
Red and yellow
The different denominations of the iconic 1860 series were associated with specific colors, making them easily identifiable. These colors led to nicknames that remained in use in The Netherlands for over a hundred years. The 1000-guilder note for example had a red reverse (back), and soon it was commonly referred to as a ‘rooie rug’ (red back) in popular speech. The 25-guilder note was called a ‘geeltje’ (little yellow one) due to its distinctive yellowish tint. Up until the introduction of the Euro in 2002, the 1000 and 25-guilder notes retained their nicknames, even though by that time they had a completely different appearance and color.
A desired red back in auction
Among the 25 exceptional guilder banknotes in our current auction, lot 855 stands out in particular. This 1000-guilder note from the 1860 series is graded PMG 55, indicating its excellent condition and desirability among collectors. The front is decorated with ornate borders and includes a portrait of Minerva. The reverse is primarily red and features a hard-to-copy guilloche pattern. As the highest denomination, the 1000-guilder banknote was a much desired banknote that was only used in larger transactions. Due to its high value, it was not commonly seen in daily life – adding to its mythical status and overall desirability. With its exceptional grade and historical significance, this 1000-guilder note represents a unique opportunity for the discerning collector. Make sure to mark your calendar for lot 855, which will be auctioned on Thursday, April 10, 2025.
