Curacao's Stamps with Banknotes

Coins, Stamps, and Banknotes not just make great collectibles but also offer a solid platform that stimulates the curious minds. However fascinating is keeping a collection, having more than one hobby can be a little bit exhausting and expensive. What if two hobbies are spliced into one? The Curacao Post has brilliantly combined Notaphily with Philately together which yielded an amazing result. World’s most peculiar hobbies i.e Notaphily – the study of banknotes – and Philately – the study of postage stamps are brought together by Curacao’s Post. ‘Curacao’s Stamps with Banknotes’ is an interesting chapter for those who wish to collect both Notes and Stamps in one go.

Curacao is a land of mystery to many. This tiny country is a part of Lesser Antilles Island in the southern Caribbean Sea and the Dutch Caribbean region. It is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The unusual name of this country has even more unusual story behind it. In the 16th and 17th centuries, sailors on long voyages would get scurvy from lack of vitamin C. According to some accounts, Portuguese sailors who were ill were left at the island now known as Curacao. When their ship returned, they had recovered, likely cured of scurvy, probably after eating fruits with vitamin C. From then on the Portuguese referred to this place as ‘Ilha da Curacao’ (Island of Healing).

Though the Portuguese traveled in and out of this Island from time to time, the history of Curacao goes way back in time: to 1634, to be precise, when the Dutch established the colony of Curacao. The Dutch West India Company (formally Geoctroyeerde Westindische Compagnie) was given a charter for trade between the Netherlands, the West Indies, and Surinam. Thus, the Dutch West India Company became accountable for delivering mail between the Netherlands and Curacao. However, it was the British who provided a post office at Willemstad to serve Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao and began the occupation of Curacao in the mid-1807. Over the time, the stamp of Curacao underwent many changes along with the changing administrations.

A new constitution in effect in May 1948 gave Curacao the greatest autonomy possible while still retaining Dutch rule. At that time, Curacao and related islands were renamed “Netherlands Antilles.” The little Island named Curacao became a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands until the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles came into effect on 10 October 2010. Curacao became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, with the Kingdom retaining responsibility for defense and foreign policy as well as issuing of the legal tender. Today, this tiny country issues its own stamps bearing its own country name. Here’s the further discussion about Curacao’s Stamps with Banknotes.

 

Curacao's Stamps with Banknotes

 

 

Stamp

Banknote

a

The 63c stamp depicts 1 gulden note which was issued in the year 1947. The banknote of 1947 is a 1 gulden banknote that depicts God Mercury seated between ships at center. Mercury is a god of commerce and travels. This banknote gives an account of trade and commerce and the growth of the economy.

b

The 75c stamp depicts 2 ½ gulden note which was issued in the year 1970. The banknote of 1970 is a 2 ½ gulden banknote that depicts a jetliner at left center. This banknote gives not only an account of trade and commerce but also the growth of the economy as well as the modern technology.

 

Curacao's Stamps with Banknotes

 

 

Stamp

Banknote

a

The stamp with 112c denomination depicts 5 gulden note issued in the year 1958. The banknote of 1958 is a 5 gulden blue-green banknote with an image of a woman sitting on the banks of a river. The stamp also depicts a view of Curacao, beach at the center.

b

The stamp with 175c denomination depicts 10 gulden note issued in the year 1948. The banknote of 1948 is a 10 gulden blue banknote with an image of a woman sitting on the banks of a river. The stamp also depicts building on the waterfront, building with a tower.

Note: The notes basically have the same design with few changes like the denomination as well as center design. This note is a testimony of the development of the country on the basis of infrastructure.

 

Curacao's Stamps with Banknotes

 

 

Stamp

Banknote

a

The stamp with 200c denomination depicts 1 gulden note issued in the year 1970. The banknote of 1970 is a 1 gulden banknote that shows aerial view Curacao harbor with ships at the dock.

b

The stamp with 250c denomination depicts 5 gulden note issued in the year 1967. The banknote of 1967 is a 5 gulden Dark blue and green banknote depicting the view of Curacao at the center along with the monument “Steunend op eigen Kracht”.

Note: Monument “Steunend op eigen kracht” or the Monument for Autonomy symbolizes the autonomy of the 6 islands of the Netherlands Antilles. The 6 birds represent the 6 islands viz. Curacao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius. The 5 gulden note of 1967 donates the principal island i.e. Curacao.

 

Curacao's Stamps with Banknotes

 

 

Stamp

Banknote

a

The stamp with 300c denomination depicts 25 gulden note issued in the year 1979. The banknote of 1979 is a 25 gulden banknote that shows the view of Bonaire at center, monument “Steunend op eigen Kracht at left.

b

The stamp with 350c denomination depicts 50 gulden note issued in the year 1972. The banknote of 1967 is a 50 gulden brown coloured banknote with the depiction of the beachside view of St. Maarten at the center along with the monument “Steunend op eigen Kracht”.

Note: This set of stamps indicate the islands of Bonaire and St. Maarten on the 25 Gulden and 50 Gulden banknotes respectively.

 

Curacao's Stamps with Banknotes

 

 

Stamp

Banknote

a

The stamp with 475c denomination depicts 250 gulden note issued in the year 1967. The banknote of 1967 is a 250 gulden banknote that shows the Mountains of Saba at center, monument “Steunend op eigen Kracht at left.

b

The stamp with 500c denomination depicts 500 gulden note issued in the year 1962. The banknote of 1962 is a beautiful 500 gulden red banknote with Oil refinery of Curacao along with an image of a woman sitting on the banks of a river.

Note: This set of stamps indicate the islands of Saba on the 250 Gulden banknote.

For the last 8 years, Post Curacao issued a number of stamps showcasing the uniqueness of the country. Even when Curacao is advancing towards the glorious future, the country is holding on to its past legacies. “Curacao’s Stamps with Banknotes” is a solid enough proof that the country is proud of its bygone era. On 11th April 2011, when the country was barely 1-year old ten stamps were published in the new (now independent) Curacao with images of older banknotes that were in circulation in the Netherlands Antilles. Curacao’s Stamps with Banknotes is a mirror that reflects the face of the country, its culture and last but not least its accomplishments.

The Mintage World Team comprises of experts, researchers and writers from the field of Philately, Notaphily and Numismatics who try to shed light on some of the most interesting aspects of coins, banknotes and stamps from not just India but across the globe as well.

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