The Dutch guilder’s decline pattern (1775–1800): stability was maintained for years after the underlying empire peaked, then collapsed rapidly when both military defeat (Anglo-Dutch War) and political takeover (French conquest) occurred simultaneously. This lag between empire decline and currency collapse is the core trap for investors: the currency appears safe for decades after the fundamentals have eroded, then fails suddenly. There is no gradual exit — the guilder went from stable to worthless over a decade.