Aruban florin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aruban florin
ISO 4217 Code	AWG
User(s)	Aruba
Inflation	4.4% (2011)
Method	CPI
Pegged with	1 U.S. dollar = Afl. 1.79
Subunit
1⁄100	cent
Symbol	Aƒ, ƒ
Plural	florin
cent	cent
Coins	5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, Afl. 1, Afl. 2+1⁄2, Afl. 5
Banknotes	Afl. 10, Afl. 25, Afl. 50, Afl. 100, Afl. 200
Printer	Crane Currency

The Aruban florin (often shortened to Afl.) is the official money used in Aruba. It is divided into 100 smaller parts called cents. The florin started being used in 1986. It replaced the old money, the Netherlands Antillean guilder, with the same value.

When you exchange money in Aruba, the value of the florin compared to the U.S. dollar can change slightly. For example, you might get Afl. 1.77 for one U.S. dollar in cash. Many shops and restaurants use an exchange rate of about Afl. 1.80 for one U.S. dollar.

Coins of Aruba

In 1986, Aruba introduced its first coins. These coins came in different values: 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, and 1 and 2+1⁄2 florin. Later, the 5-florin paper money was replaced by a special square coin. The 2+1⁄2-florin coin was also taken out of use.

In 2005, the square 5-florin coin was replaced with a round, gold-colored one. This was because the old square coin was too easy to copy. Most coins are made from steel with a nickel coating. However, the 5-florin coin is made from a mix of copper and other metals. The 50-cent coin is the only one that is still square-shaped. Locals sometimes call it a "yotin."

On the back of the 1-florin and 5-florin coins, you can see a picture of the current leader of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. From 1986 to 2013, this was Queen Beatrix. Since 2014, it has been King Willem-Alexander. These coins also have words on their edge that say God zij met ons, which means 'God be with us'.

Aruban Banknotes

The Central Bank of Aruba started issuing paper money, called banknotes, in 1986. The first banknotes came in values of 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 florin.

In 1990, the bank released a new, colorful set of banknotes. An Aruban artist named Evelino Fingal designed them. He got his ideas from old Indian paintings and broken pottery. Fingal used designs from ancient pottery and pictures of animals found only on the island. In 1993, a 500-florin banknote was added. The 5-florin banknote was replaced by a square coin in 1995.

Around 2003, new versions of the 10, 25, 50, 100, and 500 florin banknotes were printed. These new notes had special features to prevent people from making fake copies. However, they still looked very similar to the older ones.

In 2019, the Central Bank of Aruba showed off a brand new series of banknotes. These notes come in values of 10, 25, 50, 100, and a new 200 florin note. The theme for this new series is "Life in Aruba." Each note shows different parts of Aruba's nature, animals, culture, and famous places.

These new banknotes were released on June 4, 2019. They were used alongside the 2003 series for a short time. After August 11, 2019, the 2003 series banknotes were no longer valid for everyday use. However, you could still exchange them at the Central Bank of Aruba for many years. The 100 Florin note from this new series even won an award for being the "2019 Banknote of the Year"!

Banknotes of the Aruban florin (2019 issue)
Image		Value	Main colour	Description		Date of issue
Obverse	Reverse			Obverse	Reverse
		Afl. 10	Blue	Green sea turtle	Bushiribana gold mill ruins	1 January 2019
		Afl. 25	Orange	Venezuelan troupial	Arawak pottery and cave paintings
		Afl. 50	Red/purple	Red land crab	Willem III Tower, Fort Zoutman (Oranjestad)
		Afl. 100	Green	Green iguana	Baile di Cinta dancers
		Afl. 200	Brown	Crested caracara	Caha di orgel, drum

Current Exchange Rates

See Also

• Economy of Aruba
• Central banks and currencies of the Caribbean

Images for kids

• 

  The Aruban florin coins, from left to right: 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1, 2+1⁄2 and 5 florin, before 2005.

• 

  2004 5-florin coin, slightly smaller than the 1-florin coin.