This months featured coin (Volume 2 Number 7) is a silver proof-like 1970 Netherlands 10 Gulden coin commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Netherlands liberation from Nazi Germany in 1945.

In more than 100 years, the Netherlands has not had a male monarch on the throne. As a result, this Netherlands 1970 silver 10 gulden coin commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of liberation features the two reigning queens of the middle twentieth century. On the reverse of the coin is a left facing profile of Queen Wilhelmina, who was the queen of the Netherlands at its liberation from the Nazis in 1945. The obverse features a right facing profile of Queen Juliana, who became queen in 1948 and reigned through the twenty-fifth anniversary of liberation in 1970. The exemplary leadership of both these women in tumultuous times makes this coin an excellent choice for inclusion into my Inspirational Ladies Custom set.

The 1970, twenty-fifth anniversary of liberation 10 gulden coin has a mintage of 5,980,000 and a proof-like mintage of 20,000. The diameter of this coin is 38mm and it weighs 25 grams. The coins fineness is .7200 silver with an actual silver weight of .5787 ounces.

Around the rim of the coins obverse is the inscription, Juliana Koningin Der Nederlanden which is translated, JULIANA QUEEN OF THE NETHERLANDS. On the coins reverse is the inscription, Nederland Herrijst for which I have discovered two possible translations with similar meanings. The first is, THE NETHERLANDS RISES AGAIN and the second, THE NETHERLANDS NOT RECONSTITUTED AS BEFORE. Additionally, around the edge of this coin is the inscription God*zig*met*ons* which is translated GOD BE WITH US. Along the lower rim of the reverse is an inscription with the dual date 1945 and 1970 delimited by the coins denomination at 10G.

This coins designer is L.O. Wenckebach, and his initial W appears just below the hairline of each profile at the rear of the neck. There are also two privy marks on the reverse near the center at opposite sides of the coins circumference. The privy mark on the right is a caduceus and represents the Utrecht Mint. The mark on the left is a rooster, which represents Mint Master Marius van den Brandhof. Mint masters in the Netherlands choose their own privy mark, and it is said that Marius van den Brandhof chose the rooster because the rooster is a historical sign of vigilance. Whether intended or not, the rooster is the perfect symbol to represent both queens portrayed on this months coin. Thus, the following paragraphs are a short narrative on both Queen Wilhelmina and her daughter, Queen Juliana.

World War II saw the Netherlands falling to a German invasion. Queen Wilhelmina and her daughter Juliana narrowly escaped capture by leaving the Netherlands on a British warship that the Germans nearly sank as it crossed the English Channel. A naval officer commenting on the incident said I have never seen a woman so completely calm in my life. From Great Britain, Wilhelmina inspired her people and members of the Dutch underground with late evening radio broadcasts calling Adolf Hitler the arch-enemy of mankind. Over the course of the war, Queen Wilhelmina became popular and respected among the leaders of the world. Winston Churchill described her as, the only real man among the governments-in-exile in London. Queen Wilhelmina also became the second women inducted into knighthood in the Order of the Garter. While living in England, Queen Wilhelmina survived an assassination attempt that killed several of her guards. After the war in 1945, Queen Wilhelmina returned to the Netherlands and a rapturous welcome by her people.

In the era of colonization, the Netherlands was third to only Great Britain and France in the lands they controlled. The Dutch controlled the oil-rich Dutch East Indies or current-day Indonesia. A revolt after WWII in the East Indies brought sharp criticism on Queen Wilhelmina by the economic elite of the Netherlands. Subsequently, on September 4, 1948, Queen Wilhelmina abdicated in favor of her daughter, Juliana. Shortly thereafter, the Dutch East Indies gained their independence.

During World War II, the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands was particularly brutal resulting in a manufactured famine. As president of the Dutch Red Cross after the fall of Nazi Germany, Juliana was instrumental in the reconstruction and relief efforts for her country. Her down-to-earth demeanor endeared her to her people. Moreover, Queen Juliana had a heart of compassion towards her people. During Hollands most destructive storm in 500 years on January 31, 1953, Queen Juliana waded through water and mud to bring food and clothing to the flood victims. Queen Juliana was also an accomplished public speaker. She frequently used her speaking engagements to advocate for philanthropic causes of which child welfare issues were among her favorite topics. She is quoted as saying, A child must be surrounded with love. No one can live without receiving love, or without feeling wanted for his own sake. In fact, no human being lives without giving love.

Overall, Queen Juliana was a very popular queen, this in spite of various scandals from within her family and her own indiscretions involving excessive political influence from a so-called faith healer. One such scandal involved a bribe taken from the Lockheed Corporation by Julianas husband, Prince Bernard. Resilient as ever, Queen Juliana and her husband survived this scandal without abdicating the throne. Always loyal, Queen Juliana loved her husband, Prince Bernhard, up until the day she died. The thing that makes her love especially amazing is the fact that Prince Bernhard was a known philanderer.

Interestingly, there has not been a king on the throne since King William III died November 23, 1890 and Emma of Waldeck and Pyrmont became the queen regent. However, when Queen Beatrix abdicates on April 30, 2013 in favor of Prince Willem-Alexander, the Netherlands will once again have a king on the throne. Now until next month, happy collecting!

Gary

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