Willem-Alexander Silver 5 Euro

The 2014 edition of the Willem-Alexander 5 Euro silver coin was the first in a series to feature the king's portrait on the obverse, a design choice that broke from decades of Dutch numismatic tradition favoring abstract motifs.

These coins, struck at the Royal Dutch Mint in Utrecht, come in .925 fine silver and typically weigh 15.4 grams. Each piece commemorates events like royal anniversaries or national milestones, with reverses designed by contemporary Dutch artists. The series ran through 2020, offering variations in themes but consistent in their high-relief strikes that make them pleasingly tactile.

Exact mintage figures vary by year; some editions, like the 2017 one for the king's birthday, might have topped 50,000 pieces, though records aren't always precise. I've handled a few with subtle edge lettering, a nod to older European coins, but don't expect miracles in terms of rarity.

Proving that even modern monarchs can end up as pocket change for collectors.