How Much Is A Rijksdaalder (2½ Gulden) Worth?
Values for the rijksdaalder run from about €8–€12 (silver value) (Juliana (1959–66), circulated) to €100–€1,000+ (Early dates and better grades). Here is what separates the bottom of that range from the top — and how to find out where your coin lands.
History of the Rijksdaalder (2½ Gulden)
The rijksdaalder — two and a half gulden, nicknamed the "knaak" — was the big silver coin of the Netherlands, descended from the Dutch Republic’s rix-dollars that once circulated worldwide. Nineteenth-century pieces under Willem I, II and III are substantial 25-gram crowns in high-grade silver.
Twentieth-century issues with Wilhelmina and Juliana are the ones found in most Dutch households. The 1929–1940 and 1959–1966 silver types trade near melt in worn condition, while 19th-century dates, especially early ones, are genuinely scarce coins commanding strong premiums.
The rijksdaalder was struck from 1840 to 1966 in silver in 94.5% silver until 1919, then 72%. Each coin weighs 25 grams (19th century), 16.5 grams (1929–1966). Production took place at Utrecht.
How much is a rijksdaalder worth?
Like every collectible coin, the value of a rijksdaalder comes down to grade, rarity and demand. The ranges below are approximate retail prices collectors pay for problem-free examples — coins that have been cleaned, scratched or holed usually trade well below these figures.
Printed price guides age quickly. The most honest benchmark is what comparable coins actually sold for. AI Coin Collector gives you a starting point: the Numista catalogue price per grade, from VG to UNC, whenever it identifies a coin.
- Juliana (1959–66), circulated: €8–€12 (silver value)
- Wilhelmina (1929–40), circulated: €10–€18
- Willem III (1849–90), VF: €25–€60
- Early dates and better grades: €100–€1,000+
How to identify a genuine Rijksdaalder (2½ Gulden)
Before you get excited about a potential find, confirm that the coin in your hand matches the genuine article. Work through this checklist:
When a coin fails any of these checks, treat it with suspicion. Modern counterfeits can be convincing at arm's length, but weight, dimensions and die details rarely lie.
- Weight identifies the era: about 25 grams for 19th-century issues, 16.5 grams for 20th-century ones.
- The edge motto GOD ZIJ MET ONS ("God be with us") should be crisp — worn or absent lettering flags casts.
- 19th-century dates with low mintages (1840s–1850s) are the sleepers; check dates before selling as bullion.
Check your rijksdaalder with AI Coin Collector
The fastest way to find out what you have is to photograph the coin with AI Coin Collector. Our own AI vision model suggests what it is (you check and adjust the suggestion), the app estimates a grade on the Sheldon 1–70 scale, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.
From there you can add the coin to a collection, see the collection’s total value and export it to CSV. The app is free to start and comes to Android first.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a rijksdaalder worth?
Broadly, examples at the bottom of the market (Juliana (1959–66), circulated) trade around €8–€12 (silver value), while the strongest pieces (Early dates and better grades) bring €100–€1,000+. Grade, rarity and eye appeal decide where a specific coin lands, and problem-free coins always bring the best prices.
How can I tell if my rijksdaalder is genuine?
Start with the physical basics: weight identifies the era: about 25 grams for 19th-century issues, 16.5 grams for 20th-century ones. Counterfeits usually fail on weight, dimensions or fine die details, so compare your coin against verified reference photos before paying a premium.
Can an app identify and value my rijksdaalder?
Yes. AI Coin Collector suggests an identification from a single photo using our own AI vision model — you check and adjust it — estimates a Sheldon grade from 1 to 70, and shows the Numista catalogue price per grade.