Dutch Banknotes

10 Guilder Note Kingfisher

The Kingfisher (or IJsvogel in Dutch) is used as the theme of the watermark in the new 10 Guilder note. It is te watermark of the bill, a poem in very small characters is on the backside and so on.

The kingfisher was considered by the ancient Romans to have supernatural powers: being able to calm a rough see, distracting lightning etc.

Willem de Zwijger (1533-15), the first statesman of the, later Royal, Orange-family, used the Kingfisher as his symbol because of its steadfastness.

Queen Wilhelmina (1880-1962) was also very fond of the bird as a symbol of the all-mighty Who prevented the country being drawn into the Great War. In 1938 there were plans to make the bird a national symbol.

Picture: www.ijsvogels.nl