Aruban Florin
The Aruban florin reflects an island where stability, nature and design converge into one of the most visually refined currencies in the Caribbean.
Quick Facts
Country: Aruba
Code: AWG
Symbol: ƒ
System: Decimal (1 Florin = 100 Cents)
Status: In circulation
Issuer: Central Bank of Aruba
The Story of the Aruban Florin
Introduced in 1986 following Aruba’s Status Aparte within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the florin replaced the Netherlands Antillean guilder and marked a clear step toward monetary self-definition.
Its stability has been reinforced through a long-standing peg to the U.S. dollar, supporting a tourism-driven and internationally connected economy.
A defining transformation came with the 2019 “Stars of Aruba” series—a complete redesign that reimagined the currency through a bold, contemporary visual language rooted in nature and identity.
This series brought global recognition, most notably through the 100 florin banknote featuring the iguana, which received the prestigious “Banknote of the Year” award. This positioned Aruba among the world’s most respected modern banknote issuers.
Through this evolution, the florin became not only a stable monetary instrument, but a benchmark of modern Caribbean design excellence.
Design & Symbolism
Aruban banknotes express identity through a vivid dialogue between nature and abstraction. The “Stars of Aruba” series replaces traditional portraiture with stylized representations of native fauna, flora and natural forms.
The iconic divi-divi tree—shaped by constant trade winds—serves as a central symbol of resilience and adaptation, while marine life and desert elements reflect the island’s ecological diversity.
The award-winning 100 florin iguana design stands out for its clarity, composition and color execution, becoming one of the most recognizable modern banknotes worldwide.
Geometric structures and layered color fields create a visual rhythm that echoes Caribbean light and landscape, while maintaining precise balance and readability.
Advanced security features—including transparent elements, refined microprinting and complex layering—are fully integrated into the design, ensuring both protection and visual sophistication.
For collectors
For collectors, the Aruban florin offers a clear and highly desirable modern collecting focus.
The 2019 “Stars of Aruba” series forms the core of this appeal, with the 100 florin iguana note standing as a global highlight following its “Banknote of the Year” recognition.
This creates a strong entry point for collectors of award-winning banknotes, as well as those focused on wildlife and modern design themes.
The shift from traditional issues to this contemporary series provides a clean collecting arc—before and after a design revolution.
For collectors, the florin represents a currency where artistic innovation, international recognition and island identity converge into a single, highly collectible series.
A currency shaped by nature and design, the florin reflects Aruba’s modern visual identity.
