80 years Liberation Day in Coincard

Every year, on the 5th of May, the Netherlands celebrates Liberation Day: this is the day to remember that the Netherlands was freed by the Allied soldiers after 5 years of occupation (1940-1945). Although the liberation of our country took some time, the Germans officially capitulated on May 5th and since this moment, Liberation Day has already been celebrated for 80 years! For the 80th Liberation Day, the Royal Dutch Mint issues a special coincard containing 80 Euro Cents, to commemorate and celebrate this extra special Liberation Day 2025!

The liberation of The Netherlands

Liberation Day in The Netherlands is being celebrated annually on May 5th, because this is the day that the German troops capitulated and the whole country was liberated. However, the southern part of the Netherlands was already liberated on the 12th of September 1944, while in other parts of the country there were still fights going on. The Battle of Arnhem, from the 17th to the 26rd of September 1944, is an important example. Because the Allies failed to capture an important ridge in Arnhem, the North and West of the Netherlands could not be liberated: they later suffered from the Hunger Winter. Eventually, the Allies tried again with a new plan: Operation Veritable. After heavy battles throughout Europe, the German troops capitulated on May 4th and this capitulation came into effect on May 5th, 8 a.m. 

Liberation Day

When the whole country was liberated on May 5th 1945, the Netherlands was in a festive mood. There were big liberation parties all over the country during the summer of 1945, with red-white-blue and orange everywhere. People were happy, dancing and celebrating. To this day, Liberation Day still is a national holiday in which we do not only commemorate the liberation of the Netherlands in 1945, but it’s also a day on which we think about the value of freedom, human rights and democracy. 

Design

The 80 years Liberation Day in Coincard shows a happy picture with celebrating Dutch people after the liberation in 1945. The Dutch flag flutters in the foreground between the 10, 20 and 50 Cent coins. The reverse shows the modern Liberation Day, which is often accompanied by free festivals throughout the country. The coins are placed in a colorful background: red-white-blue.