Page 17 - AHATA

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LOCAL Wednesday 4 March 2026
The history and meaning of the Aruban florin

(Oranjestad)—Aruba To-
day loves to share parts of
the Aruban culture with our
readers, diving into (histori-
cal) facts of Aruba, its cul-
ture and way of living. In
this article, we’ll look at the
Aruban florin: its history, de-
sign and symbolism.

In Aruba, we know the 5,
10, 25 and 50 cent coins,
along with the 1 and 5 Flo-
rin coin. Aruban Florin bills
include the 10, 25, 50, 100,
and rarely, the 200 bills. In
Papiamento we call our
currency Florin, but the
umbrella term for money is
‘placa’. Cents are called
‘cen’ (pronounced: seng),
both in the singular and
plural form. Most coins are
circular and their size de-
pend on their worth. How-
ever, the 50 cent coin is
easily recognizable by their
square shape, as is the 5
Florin coin by their golden
color. Every coin has the
Aruban emblem carved
on it, with the other side and the 50-cent coin was Florin bills were relatively ana Gold Mill Ruins, a coral
displaying the worth of the once called ‘Yotin’ (pro- simpler in design com- motif, and the symbols of 200 florin
coin. The bigger 1 and 5 flo- nounced: jo-teen). We also pared to now, but still in- Cas Floria (traditional Aru- There is another bill with a
rin coins, however, contain used a distinctive coins cluded beautiful designs ban house design) with a value of 200 dollars. The
the carving of the emblem worth 2 ½ cents, called and colors, often depicting piece of mosaic. brown color symbolizes
on one side, while display- placa too. However, this local animals. These past the earth of Aruba. Here
ing the side profile of the last coin is no longer in use designs were made by the 25 florin we see the Dornasol and
Dutch king, Willem-Alexan- and has become a relic of Aruban artist Everino Fingal On this orange bill, you can the Warawara—both lo-
der, on the other side. When Aruban money. Back then, in 1990 up to 2019. Between see an Aruban medicinal cal birds, along with the
his mother, Princess Beatrix, the 5-Florin coin used to 1990 and 1993, the 5 Flo- plant called Shoshoro. The symbols of Cas Floria with
was reigning queen, it was also be square, but now it rin coin was a bill. The Fin- birds Trupiaal, Shoco, rock a piece of mosaic, the
her profile that was carved is circular. gal designs also included drawings, and the symbols Tuna cactus plant, and the
on the two coins. a 500-Florin bill, which has of Cas Floria with a piece Caha di orgel (folkloric in-
Aruban bills: their design now been discontinued. of mosaic are also depict- strument, used for many
Outdated Aruban coins and symbolism ed. There is also a Purun traditional songs).
and their names The Aruban Florin collection In 2019, the Central Bank di ceramica (clay pot), in
In the past, Aruban coins contains a variation of col- of Aruba commissioned a reference to the relics left Extra fact:
had distinctive names and orful bills, displaying incred- new design of the Aruba behind by our indigenous The word “florin” is suppos-
also varied in worth. For ex- ibly detailed and beautiful Florin bills, this time select- ancestors. edly named after the Ital-
ample, a 5-cent coin was designs that tell the story of ing artist and former art ian city of Florence or it’s
once called ‘Dos Placa’; Aruba on a single piece of teacher, Nigel Matthew, 50 florin a reference to the Italian
10-cent coins were called paper. to present his new design. On this bill, we see the word “florino”, both expla-
‘Debchi’; 25-cent coins Matthew kept the tradition Cododo (blue lizard found nations related to historical
were called ‘Diez Placa’ Prior to 2019, the Aruban of including local animals on the ABC islands), Can- Italian currencies.q
and the familiar colors on greu di tera (land crab),
the bills. However, he in- Willem III Tower, and again Source: Placa, placa, placa
cluded additional designs the symbols of Cas Floria by the National Library of
that represent the Aruban with a piece of mosaic, Aruba
culture and link to the In- as well as a beach plant
digenous inhabitants that called Banana di rif. The
were the first to set foot on colors are pink/purple.
the island.
100 florin
Current design and sym- This bill is green in color, rep-
bolism resenting nature. Here we
10 florin see the Yuwana (Iguana),
On the 10-florin bill, you Aloe, Toteki (lizard), the
can see a Tortuga blanco symbols of Cas Floria with
(white turtle). The blue col- a piece of mosaic, and a
or symbolizes the blue Ca- dance group performing
ribbean Sea. You can also the Baile di cinta (forkloric
see the ruins of the Bushirib- dance with silk ribbons).