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local Thursday 24 augusT 2023

Did you know about...?

The history and meaning of the Aruban florin

(Oranjestad)—Aruba Today is names
proud to officially introduce a new In the past, Aruban coins had
segment called Did you know distinctive names and also varied
about…?, where we dive into some in worth. For example, a 5-cent
(historical) facts of Aruba, its culture coin was once called Dos placa;
and way of living. In this first edition, 10-cent coins were called debchi;
we look back at the Aruban florin: 25-cent coins were called diez
its history, design and symbolism. placa and the 50-cent coin was
once called Yotin (pronounced:
In Aruba, we know the 5, 10, 25 jo-teen). We also used a distinctive
and 50 cent coins, along with the coins worth 2 ½ cents, called placa
1 and 5 Florin coin. Aruban Florin too. However, this last coin is no
bills include the 10, 25, 50, 100, and longer in use and has become a discontinued. On this bill, we see the Cododo
rarely, the 200 bills. In Papiamento relic of Aruban money. Back then, (blue lizard found on the ABC
we call our currency Florin, but the the 5-Florin coin used to also be In 2019, the Central Bank of Aruba islands), Cangreu di tera (land
umbrella term for money is placa. square, but now it is circular. commissioned a new design of crab), Willem III Tower, and again
Cents are called cen (pronounced: the Aruba Florin bills, this time the symbols of Cas Floria with
seng), both in the singular and Aruban bills: their design and selecting artist and former art a piece of mosaic, as well as a
plural form. Most coins are circular symbolism teacher, Nigel Matthew, to present beach plant called Banana di rif.
and their size depend on their The Aruban Florin collection his new design. Matthew kept the The colors are pink/purple.
worth. However, the 50 cent coin is contains a variation of colorful tradition of including local animals
easily recognizable by their square bills, displaying incredibly detailed and the familiar colors on the bills. 100 florin
shape, as is the 5 Florin coin by and beautiful designs that tell the However, he included additional This bill is green in color, representing
their golden color. Every coin has story of Aruba on a single piece of designs that represent the Aruban nature. Here we see the Yuwana
the Aruban emblem carved on it, paper. culture and link to the Indigenous (Iguana), Aloe, Toteki (lizard),
with the other side displaying the inhabitants that were the first to set the symbols of Cas Floria with a
worth of the coin. The bigger 1 and Prior to 2019, the Aruban Florin bills foot on the island. piece of mosaic, and a dance
5 florin coins, however, contain the were relatively simpler in design group performing the Baile di cinta
carving of the emblem on one side, compared to now, but still included Current design and symbolism (forkloric dance with silk ribbons).
while displaying the side profile of beautiful designs and colors, often 10 florin
the Dutch king, Willem-Alexander, depicting local animals. These On the 10-florin bill, you can see 200 florin
on the other side. When his mother, past designs were made by the a Turtuga blanco (white turtle). There is another bill with a value
Princess Beatrix, was reigning Aruban artist Everino Fingal in 1990 The blue color symbolizes the blue of 200 dollars. The brown color
queen, it was her profile that was up to 2019. Between 1990 and Caribbean Sea. You can also see symbolizes the earth of Aruba.
carved on the two coins. 1993, the 5 Florin coin was a bill. the ruins of the Bushiribana Gold Here we see the Dornasol and
The Fingal designs also included a Mill Ruins, a coral motif, and the the Warawara—both local birds,
Outdated Aruban coins and their 500-Florin bill, which has now been symbols of Cas Floria (traditional along with the symbols of Cas
Aruban house design) with a piece Floria with a piece of mosaic, the
of mosaic. Tuna cactus plant, and the Caha
di orgel (folkloric instrument, used
25 florin for many traditional songs).
On this orange bill, you can see
an Aruban medicinal plant called Extra fact:
Shoshoro. The birds Trupiaal, Shoco, the word “florin” supposedly is
rock drawings, and the symbols of named after the Italian city of
Cas Floria with a piece of mosaic Florence or it’s a reference to
are also depicted. There is also a the Italian word “florino”, both
Purun di ceramica (clay pot), in explanations related to historical
reference to the relics left behind Italian currencies.
by our indigenous ancestors.
Source: Placa, placa, placa by the
50 florin National Library of Aruba