Evolution of Central Banking?: De Nederlandsche Bank 1814 -1852

The book analyses the establishment of De Nederlandsche Bank and its early development as a case study to test competing theories on the historical development of central banking. It is shown that the establishment of DNB can be explained by both the fiscal theory and the financial stability theory. Later development makes clear that the financial stability role of DNB prevailed. DNB´s bank notes were not forced onto the public and competition was fierce. A prudent and independent stance wa...