Dutch aim to lead euro way

The Dutch expect the death of the guilder to be quick and painless.

The nation of 16 million will be the first to give up the familiar coins and notes in favour of the euro.

The changeover begins on January 1, and the government has opted for a four week ‘blitz’ transition - the swiftest among the 12 countries embracing the historic currency switch.

‘‘We’re capable of doing it faster than any other member states, so we will,’’ said Finance Ministry spokesman Raymond Salet. ‘‘We are the only country that will do it in a month.’’

While many European businesses will continue to accept national currencies alongside the euro for up to two months, the guilder will become defunct on January 28. After that, only banks will take in the old money.

Ireland will be next, losing its punt forever on February 9. Virtually all other European countries will continue accepting old currencies until the end of February.

To speed things along, the Dutch government is giving everyone aged six and over a free starter kit of the eight new coins, adding up to €3.88 (£2.40).

The new currency is identical in all 12 countries, but each government gets to put a symbol of its choice on one side of the coins. The Netherlands’ have chosen Queen Beatrix.

By December 31, 1,000 vans will have delivered the bulk of 2.8 billion euro coins and 360 million notes to outlets across the country. Within two weeks, the Finance Ministry predicts, 90% of transactions will be in euros.

The Dutch government has spent 2.2 billion guilders (£606m) on the new currency and businesses say additional costs will reach 10 billion guilders (£2.8bn).

The guilder (meaning ‘‘golden’’) dates back to 1325. Today, its notes reflect the nation’s identity: the painter Frans Hals, the philosopher Baruch Spinoza, a red-and-white lighthouse representing the Dutch seafaring tradition, and a bright yellow sunflower reminiscent of Vincent van Gogh.

The euro bank notes, with their pictures of generic European bridges, are bland by comparison. But still, the Dutch seem unmoved. The general attitude seems to be, ‘‘it’s only money.’’

The indifference is linked to traditions of tolerance, pragmatism and the free economy, says Rob Vos, a professor of finance and economic development at the Institute of Social Studies.

‘‘There is not a lot of emotion around about the departure of the guilder,’’ he said. ‘‘I don’t think many see it as the ultimate Dutch identity.’’