Humberto Tan receives the first Parrot Duit for 50 years of Surinamese independence

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Republic of Suriname, the Royal Dutch Mint has launched a special issue: an official restrike of the Surinamese Parrot Duit. Presenter Humberto Tan received the very first coin at the mint in Houten. The issues are available directly from the Royal Dutch Mint website.

The presentation took place in front of the Surinamese flag. This flag was adopted in 1975 upon Suriname’s independence and remains the country’s current flag. A beautiful symbol served as the backdrop for the presentation. Suriname officially became independent on November 25, 1975, meaning it was no longer part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Parrot Duit

The Parrot Coin (Parrot Duit) pays tribute to the shared history between the Netherlands and Suriname, and to the rich cultural significance of the parrot—one of Suriname’s most beloved birds. The original coin, which circulated in the 18th century, was known as the Parrot Coin, Medal, or Duit. The copper-colored coin depicted a parrot on a branch with one, two, or four leaves, symbolizing the value of one, two, or four pounds of sugar, respectively—with one pound of sugar equaling one stuiver. The new 2025 restrike retains the classic design but now also bears the year 2025, as well as the mint and privy marks of the Royal Dutch Mint. The coin will be available in several versions at
www.knm.nl:
Silver 1 Ounce, Silver 2 Ounce (double thickness), and an exclusive Gold edition of 1 or 2 Ounce.