Use of the stampsFor a short period of time after 31 December 2001, it was possible to pay in both the old national and new common European currencies. Although a somewhat longer period had been envisaged at first, the old coins and banknotes could be used until 27 January 2002. Stamps with a face value in the old national currency remained valid until 31 October 2013. One had to convert the value into the equivalent euro value by dividing by 2.20371 as a rule of thumb, divide by two and subtract ten percent of the outcome and round to the nearest euro cent.
'Nikkels' permanent series back of cards of self-adhesive stampsThe back of the backing paper for the 12 eurocent stamps were blank. That for the 2 eurocent stamps had an instruction for the use of the make-up values (bijplakzegels). Below are examples of two equivalents using either an old-currency stamp with the make-up values or a euro-denominated stamp.
'Nikkels' permanent series using a 60C 'Crouwel' and 12 eurocent 'Nikkels' to prepay the basic inland letter rateThe basic rate for the carriage of an inland letter became 0.39. This equalled 60 old cents, being equivalent to 27 euro cents plus 12 euro cents.
'Nikkels' permanent series using a 1.60G 'Struycken' and two 2 eurocent 'Nikkels' to prepay the inland letter rate for the second weight stepThe rate for the carriage of an inland letter in the second weight step became 0.78, or twice that for the basic weight step. This equalled 1.60 old guilders, being equivalent to 73 euro cents plus two times 2 euro cents.
Some observations:
My maths may be rusty. It appears either the people at PTT Post could not do their maths, or the lack of a 1 euro cent stamp made it acceptable to pay 77 instead of 78 cents.
The rate for carriage of an inland postcard was raised from 60 cents to 70 cents in 1993. The 60 cents stamp became obsolete in 1993. In December 2001, the reduced rate for Christmas cards was 60 cents. PTT Post issued special Christmas stamps that had a dual currency imprint. The stamps could be used on Christmas cards sent without cover or in an open cover. The make-up value of 12 eurocent appears to have been intended for use with the Christmas stamp, after December 2001.
No permanent series stamps covering either the 0.54 rate to European countries or 0.75 rate to other countries existed. PTT Post issued stamp books of five stamps of these values with attached 'priority' labels, on 28 January 2002. Arguably, at that time there no longer was a clear divide between permanent series and special series.
The issue date for the 2 eurocent stamp that has the conversion table printed on the back of the card coincides with the first day only euro coins and banknotes could be used for cash payments in the Netherlands.