https://www.nu.nl/binnenl...-op-munten-en-zegels.htmlArticle on Dutch newssite, dated September 4, 2019
Willem-Alexander is not yet getting a beard on coins and stamps.
King Willem-Alexander's image on coins and stamps is not yet provided with his new beard. Both the Ministry of Finance and PostNL currently see no reason to adjust the now used, beardless image. The first coin in which this may happen is a commemorative coin that will be released in 2020 due to 75 years of liberation.
This special coin has yet to be designed; the artist can decide for himself whether to depict Willem-Alexander with or without a beard, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance reports.
Two other commemorative coins that will be released this year have already been designed before Willem-Alexander appeared with his beard on an official occasion last weekend. These coins are issued because of the 75th anniversary of Operation Market Garden (coming month) and in honor of sports icon Jaap Eden (in December).
The procedure for designing the commemorative coins for 2020 has recently been set in motion.
'Normal' euro coins will not be adjusted for the time being
A number of designers may submit a proposal. These proposals are then assessed by a committee that advises the State Secretary for Finance. The winning design, on which King Willem-Alexander may be bearded, is then submitted to the King's Cabinet for approval.
These commemorative coins are mainly minted for collectors. The situation is different for the 'regular' euro coins that can be used to pay in the store: a new batch is produced every year, depending on whether there is a need for it.
In the past, pictures have changed as the queen grew older
"A fixed portrait of the king is used for these coins," the spokesperson explains. "There is now no reason to change that image. There is also no set protocol for changing that image if the king changes striking things in his appearance."
However, it does happen that images of Dutch princes on coins are adjusted. In the past, for example, the images of Wilhelmina, Juliana and Beatrix were adjusted when they became visibly older. The Ministry of Finance cannot answer the question of when the appearance of Willem-Alexander has changed enough to make such a decision.
"If the beard stays longer, there may be a new seal"
Also the stamps with King Willem-Alexander on it will not be adjusted for the time being, says a PostNL spokesperson. "We use designs that are fairly timeless," she explains. "We still use the same image as when Willem-Alexander was inaugurated in 2013." Many millions of these stamps are printed every year.
PostNL currently has no plans to change the image of Willem-Alexander. "But if the king keeps his beard longer, then there may come a time when we will discuss this with the Royal House." In the past, such changes were always initiated by the postal company, not by the Royal Family itself.
In the past, King Willem-Alexander often left his beard in the summer months. However, last week, after the holidays, he appeared for the first time with a beard on an official occasion. Trend watchers and fashion experts are very enthusiastic about the new reddish hair growth of the frost. It is unclear whether the king intends to leave his beard for a longer period of time; Willem-Alexander still had his beard on Wednesday.
