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Aruba became a Dutch colony in 1634, was occupied by the British between 1805 and 1816, was made part of the Dutch West Indies beginning in 1828 and part of the Netherlands Antilles (which excluded Suriname) beginning in 1848. Aruba became a separate territory within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on January 1, 1986.

Coins from Spain and Portugal were used in the Netherlands Antilles until the 1700s. The Joe was the largest denomination, divisible into 8 (later 6) Pesos and 20 Gulden. The Peso was divisible into 12 (later 15) Realen, the Real was divisible into 6 Stuivers (XCAS), and the Gulden was divisible into 20 Stuivers. The Dutch introduced the Guilder (NLG), also known as the Gulden or Florin in the 1700s. The Netherlands Antilles broke their link to the Netherlands Guilder on May 10, 1940 after Germany invaded the Netherlands, linking the Netherlands Antilles Guilder (ANG) to the U.S. Dollar. After gaining independence, Aruba began issuing its own currency, the Aruba Guilder (AWG). It was introduced at the rate of 0.98 Aruban Florin equal to 1 Netherlands Antillean Guilder.

The Netherlands decimalized the Gulden in 1825, making the Gulden divisible into 100 Cents. The Curacaosche Bank issued banknotes from 1855 until 1960, and by the Bank van de Nederlandse Antillen from 1955 until 1986. The Banco Central di Aruba issued banknotes from 1986 until 1990, and the Centrale Bank van Aruba from 1990 until today.

Here is a 5 cent coin, from the Island nation of Aruba, that is valued at 5 cents and dated 1999. The obverse features the Aruban national coat of arms. The coat of arms was originally designed in Amsterdam in 1955. Since that time, the shield has been in use as the national symbol of Aruba. The reverse depicts a geometric design, with the value in the upper center.

• Weight: 2.0g
• Diameter: 16mm
• Material: Nickel Bonded Steel
• Edge: Plain
• Mint: Utrecht
• Mintage: 823,000
• Krause # 1

Here is a 1989 dated 10 cent coin. The Obverse features the Aruban national coat of arms. The reverse depicts a geometric design with the coins value in the upper center. The Aruban coat of arms, a national symbol, has 7 components:
-The Aloe is the symbol of the first source of prosperity of Aruba
- Hooiberg (Aruba's second highest point of elevation and its most recognizable landmark) symbolizes Aruba rising out of the sea.
- The handshake is the symbol of the friendly ties Aruba enjoys with other nations and people, both on the political and economic level.
- The gear symbolizes industry.
- The cross in the center represents devotion and faith.
- The lion, sitting atop the Coat of Arms, represents power and generosity.
- The laurel leaves are the symbols of peace and friendship

• Weight: 3.0g
• Diameter: 18mm
• Material: Nickel Bonded Steel
• Edge: Reeded
• Mint: Utrecht
• Mintage: 610,000
• Krause # 2

This 25 cent coin is dated 1998. The obverse features the Aruban national coat of arms. The coat of arms was originally designed in Amsterdam in 1955, andwas created by "Atelier voor Heraldische Kunst" of Amsterdam, Holland, but it was later altered to reflect of the symbols of Aruba. The reverse shows a geometric design with the value at the top.

• Weight: 3.50g
• Diameter: 20mm
• Material: Nickel Bonded Steel
• Edge: Plain
• Mint: Utrecht
• Mintage: 641,000
• Krause # 3