Netherlands - Travel/Philately/Numismatics/Memorabilia Profile

Netherlands, a country located in the Northwest Europe bordered by Belgium, Germany, and the North Sea has a total land area of 16,158 square miles and a population of over 16.64 million. Netherlands, a low-lying country, has a very strong economy and is among the leading exporting countries of the world. It is among the top countries that attract foreign direct investment and in turn invests in foreign countries too. Food, agriculture, chemical, machinery, electrical goods and tourism are the important sectors of its economy. However, Netherlands liberal policy on both soft and hard drugs has earned it negative political fame though visitors stop by for that precise reason.

Travel Resources: 

Its mild weather makes it a year-round destination, but the peak is defined to be July and August. With over 20 national parks and hundreds of other nature reserves Netherlands aims to please its visitors. The major attractions of Netherlands are Amsterdam, Delft, Hague, Groningen, Rotterdam and Utrecht. The Delta project Maeslantkering is considered as among the seven wonders of the modern world. An engineering marvel, its goal is to reduce the risk of flooding in South Holland and Zeeland to once every 10,000 years. Soups (thick), seafood, meat, vegetables, pastries and light deserts are the main items of Dutch cuisine.

Resource	ISBN or ASIN	Best Price	Description
The Rough Guide to the Netherlands	978-1848365063	$16	A Traveler’s introduction covering 55 pages followed by sections on Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Zuid-Holland and Utrecht, The North and the Frisian Islands, The Eastern Islands, and The South and Zeeland. Ideal for travelers planning a two-week trip.
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank Kindle Edition	B0041OT9W6	$10	The Dutch Jewish teenager’s account of the holocaust in an Amsterdam warehouse while hiding from the Nazis is considered one of the most moving and eloquent documents ever written on the holocaust.
Michelin Map Netherlands	978-2067122994	$10	1:400,000 Scale. City maps of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague with driving times and distances.
Streetwise Amsterdam Map	978-1931257299	$8	Laminated. Main Amsterdam Map 1:14,500. Central Amsterdam Map 1:9,000. Amsterdam Surrounding Area Map 1:80,000.
International Travel Grounded Adapter Plug	B001ISR9B6	$4

Philatelic Profile:

The first stamps of Netherlands were a set of three stamps released on January 1, 1852 depicting the Queen. The set (Scott #1 to #3) catalogs for around $650 mint and around $125 used. The set features interrupted perforations called syncopated in three different types. This was followed by a set of three stamps issued in 1864 featuring King William III. That set (Scott #4 to #6) is even more valuable cataloging in the $1800 range for mint and around the $120 range for used. A few other designs featuring King William III, a Coat of Arms theme, and a Numerals design were the primary designs of the stamp issues of Netherlands till 1891. Chief among them were a set of eleven stamps released between 1872 and 1888 in double colors featuring King William III. The set (Scott #23 to $33) catalogs for around $3500 mint and around $250 for used.

The first stamps featuring Princess Wilhelmina appeared in 1891 and that theme along with a numerals theme continued until the turn of the century. The first variation outside of these themes was a short set of three stamps released on March 23, 1907 featuring Admiral M. A. de Ruyter, the naval hero from the seventeenth century and his fleet. The set (Scott #87 to #89) catalogs for around $30 MNH and around $5 for used. Netherlands released another short set of three stamps between 1921 and 1922 in the Numerals theme. The set (Scott #107 to #109) catalogs for around $170 MNH and around $2 used. The Numerals theme along with sets featuring the Queens will go on to become the most recognized stamps of Netherlands. They are both highly collectible themes.

Other issues of Netherlands enjoying good philatelic interest include:

1. A long set of fifteen stamps released between 1944 and 1946 in the World War II theme. The set (Scott #262 to #276) catalogs for around $10 MNH and around $9 used. The designs show Soldier, S.S. Nieuw Amsterdam, Pilot, Cruiser De Ruyter, and Queen Wilhelmina. The early issues were used on board ships until the liberation of Netherlands during World War II. Germany invaded Netherlands on May 10, 1940. The government in exile in London continued the war. Over 100,000 Jews were transported to concentration camps in Germany and by the time the war was over only 876 of them survived the holocaust.
2. A set of two stamps released on May 2, 1979 in the Europa theme. The set (Scott #587 to #588) catalogs for around $4 MNH and less than a dollar for used. The designs show Dutch stamps and magnifying glass, hand on Morse Key, and ship at sea. Several other Europa sets were issued by Netherlands over the years. Most of them catalog for a slight premium over regular issues from the same periods.
3. A long set of fifteen stamps released between 1991 and 1994 featuring Queen Beatrix. The set (Scott #772 to #785) catalogs for around $45 MNH and around $8 for used.
4. A set of ten stamps released in 2005 showing Views of Netherlands. The set (Scott #1185 to #1194) catalogs for around $10 MNH and around $2 for used. The designs show symbolical, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Weesp, Monnickendam, Goes, Boalsert, Amsterdam, Roermond, and Papendrecht. A couple of souvenir sheets that feature four stamps each from the same set is also considered part of the set. The sets (Scott #1193a and #1194a) catalog for around $5 each MNH or used.

Numismatic Profile:

The first coins of Netherlands were Silver Guilders released in the late 17th century. Provincial coinage dominated the scene in the 18th century with issues denominated in Duit, Stuivers, Guilder, Rijksdaalder, and Ducatons. The late 18th century saw the introduction of Batavian Republic Standard Coinage Silver Guldens. The issues are valued well into the 100s for UNC. Kingdom of Holland Standard Coinage debut in 1807 with the introduction of Silver Stuivers. The first issues are very rare and catalogs well into the 1000s. Netherlands has issued a number of gold coins over the years. The Guilder was replaced by the Euro Standard in 2002.

Numismatic items of Netherlands include:

Item	Price Range	Description
Coins	$2 and up	Common UNCs start around $2. Early 20th century Cents in VF, Recent Sealed Mint Year Sets, etc start around $10. Silver Coins from the late 19th century and early 20th century, Recent Commemorative Silver Proofs, etc start around $40. Silver Coins of the 19th century in high grades (XF+), Mint Euro Coin Year Sets, etc go into the 100s. Gold Coins, rare graded silver coins, etc go well into the 100s and 1000s.
Paper Money	$3 and up	Common UNCs starts around $3. Large Notes from the 30s and 40s in VF, Recent High Value UNCs, etc start around $10. Rare Large Notes in High Grades, etc start around $50. Recent UNC Specimens, Rare Specimens in VF, Rare Dates, Low Serial Numbers, etc go well into the 100s.

Collectible Memorabilia:

Miniature windmills, tulips, wooden shoes, cheese, Delft pottery, and cannabis are the typical souvenirs from Netherlands.

Resource	Price Range	Description
Antiques	$10 and up	19th century maps start around $10. 18th century and prior maps go into the 100s. 17th century Majolica plates, 16th century maps, Iron Tower Crosses etc start well into the 100s and 1000s.
Art	$15 and up	19th century local scenes, royalty, and other historical prints start around $10. Original works by Tijmen Moll, Pasch Hil Varenbeek, David Smith, William Eyre, etc go well into the 100s. Signed works by Yubi Kirindongo, H J Topman, Van Der Plas Niek, Karel Appel, etc go into the 1000s.
Miscellaneous Collectibles	$30 and up	Queen Juliana Wall Plaques, Vintage Tobacco Tins, etc start around $30. Royalty plates, and Military Medals start in the 50s.

Last Updated: 12/2015.