You’ve probably found an old, dusty bill in a relative's attic or maybe you're staring at a "guilder" listing on eBay and wondering if you've struck gold. Or perhaps you're just a history nerd trying to figure out how much a 17th-century merchant actually paid for a crate of spices. Whatever the reason, figuring out dutch florins to dollars isn't as straightforward as checking the morning stock report.
First off, let’s clear up the "florin" thing. In the Netherlands, they called it the gulden. "Florin" is actually the same thing—that’s why the currency symbol was ƒ or fl. It’s like calling a USD a "buck." Same money, different name.
But here is the kicker: the Dutch florin doesn't officially exist anymore. It was killed off by the Euro in 1999 (physically in 2002). So, if you’re looking for a "live" exchange rate, you’re actually looking for two different things: the historical dead-reckoning rate or the current numismatic (collector) value.
The "Final" Exchange Rate Everyone Uses
When the Netherlands switched to the Euro, they locked in a permanent rate. This is the "official" ghost of the currency.
1 Euro = 2.20371 Dutch Guilders (Florins).
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Since the Euro currently hovers around $1.08 to $1.10 (depending on the week in early 2026), you can do some quick back-of-the-napkin math. Basically, one old Dutch florin is worth about $0.45 to $0.50.
Honestly, it’s not much. If you find a 10-florin note, you're looking at roughly five bucks. Don't go quitting your day job just yet.
Can You Actually Get Cash for Them?
This is where people get tripped up. Most "dead" currencies are just paper scrap now. But the Dutch Central Bank (De Nederlandsche Bank) is actually pretty chill about this.
You can still exchange most Dutch florin banknotes for Euros until January 1, 2032.
Coins? Forget about it. The deadline for coins passed in 2007. If you have a jar of "dubbeltjes" (the tiny 10-cent coins) or "kwartjes" (25 cents), they are technically worth $0 at a bank. You'd have better luck selling them for the metal value or to a collector who likes the iconic minimalist designs by Bruno Ninaber van Eyben.
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The Caribbean Catch
Wait, there's a weird exception. If you are looking at dutch florins to dollars because you're planning a trip to Aruba or Curaçao, you're dealing with a totally different beast.
- Aruban Florin (AWG): This is pegged to the U.S. Dollar at 1.79 to 1. It's alive and well.
- Netherlands Antillean Guilder (ANG): This is being phased out for the new Caribbean Guilder right now in 2025/2026. It also uses the 1.79 peg.
If you have these, they are worth way more than the old European ones. A 100-florin note from Aruba is worth about $55.87. Big difference.
What About the "Old" Money?
If you have a silver florin from the 1800s or earlier, the exchange rate to the dollar is irrelevant. You’re looking at silver "melt" value plus "coolness" factor.
For example, a silver 1-guilder coin from the reign of Queen Wilhelmina (like the 1914 issue) contains about 10 grams of 94.5% silver. With silver prices in 2026 sitting around $27-$30 an ounce, that single coin has about $9 in raw silver alone. Collectors will often pay $15 to $20 for a decent one.
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The 17th-century stuff? That’s where it gets wild. In the mid-1600s, a skilled craftsman might earn 300 florins a year. In "buying power" terms, historians like those at the Essential Vermeer project suggest one 1650s florin would be roughly equivalent to $60 to $100 today.
Why the Rate Matters Now
Most people searching for dutch florins to dollars are doing it for one of three reasons:
- Inheritance: You found a stash of 100-guilder "Snipe" (Snip) or "Lighthouse" notes.
- Travel: You have leftovers from a Caribbean vacation.
- Accounting: You’re settling an old estate or contract that was denominated in NLG.
For the estate stuff, you must use the 2.20371 conversion to Euro first, then convert that Euro to USD based on the historical date of the contract.
Moving Money: Your Next Steps
If you're holding onto old paper florins from the Netherlands, don't just leave them in a drawer. The 2032 deadline is a hard stop.
Check your notes against the official exchangeable list on the De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) website. Not every single note is eligible—very old ones or those from the WWII era are often excluded. You’ll need to fill out a digital form and actually mail the physical notes to Amsterdam.
For Caribbean florins, check the current bank rates. Since they are pegged, the rate won't move much, but the fees will eat you alive if you try to exchange small amounts at an airport. Use a local bank in Oranjestad or Willemstad if you're physically there.
If you've got coins, stop looking at exchange rates and start looking at eBay sold listings. The market for "silver guldens" is surprisingly active with people who want to hedge against inflation with recognizable European silver.
Sort out which version you have first—European or Caribbean. That’s the difference between a $5 bill and a $50 bill.