Woudagemaal 5 Euro Coin 2020 Silver Proof

The Royal Dutch Mint celebrates the 100^th anniversary of the Ir. D.F. Woudagemaal: the largest, still functioning steam pumping station in the world. The Woudagemaal was opened in 1920 by Queen Wilhelmina, and its job was pumping excess water from Friesland into the Zuiderzee, and later into the IJsselmeer. To this day, the Woudagemaal still plays a crucial role within the Frisian water authority. Read more about the Woudagemaal on our page.

Dutch engineers at work
Not just in the Netherlands, but in the whole world, water poses many problems. There are three main issues: too much, too little or too dirty water. The Woudagemaal is a laudable example of Dutch water management and represents the highlight of Dutch engineers and architects in the war against water. Watch our video about the international collaborations of Dutch engineers on our dedicated page.
 
Design
Visual artist Berend Strik designed the Woudagemaal 5 Euro Coin. It is the first commemorative coin which depicts King Willem-Alexander with his beard. The Woudagemaal 5 Euro Coin is therefore highly wanted and is a memorable coin in Dutch coin history. On the obverse of the coin, the waving flag of the province of Friesland is visible behind the portrait of King Willem-Alexander. Underneath, you will see a fragment of the canals surrounding the Woudagemaal. On the reverse, a drawing of the Woudagemaal in straight and simple lines is found. All is depicted from a bird’s-eye view, to show the steam pumping station in the characteristic landscape. The font used on both sides of the coin is the same as found on the steam engines inside the Woudagemaal. Read more about Berend Strik and the design of the Woudagemaal 5 Euro Coin.
 
The Woudagemaal is one of the ten recognised heritage sites that represent the Netherlands on the UNESCO World Heritage List. For that reason, the Woudagemaal 5 Euro Coin is the ninth issue in the series Dutch World Heritage (2012-2021), following the Schokland 5 Euro Coin (2018) and the Beemster 5 Euro Coin (2019). The Woudagemaal 5 Euro Coin is struck in commission by the Dutch Ministry of Finance.