A gold or silver coin that was used in medieval and early modern Europe, especially in German-speaking regions and the Netherlands.
From Middle Dutch and Middle High German 'gulden', derived from 'guld' (gold). The suffix '-en' indicates the material or origin. The coin was named for its golden color and became a standard currency across much of Northern Europe from the 13th to 19th centuries.
The gulden was so successful that it appeared in multiple European currencies—even today, the Netherlands called their pre-euro currency 'guilder' (the English version)! This word literally means 'made of gold' and reflects how precious metals backed real money.
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