More Caribbean Countries Switch to Polymer

The switch from paper to polymer banknotes in the Caribbean is gathering speed, with two countries announcing in March that they will be making the change.

First was the Bank of Jamaica, which will issue a new series on polymer by the end of the year, coinciding with the country’s 60th anniversary of independence,. including a new $2,000 denomination. The notes will be printed by De La Rue on its SAFEGUARD® polymer.

According to the Bank, the objectives of the new notes are to enhance security, better satisfy the needs of the visually-impaired, save costs, ensure a clearer distinction between the different denominations, ensure the principles of fair trading are met and honour past prime ministers and national heroes.

The front of each denomination will feature two individuals, paired according to their contribution to Jamaica. The reverse of the notes will continue to feature Jamaican images that exist on the current notes.

Second, was the Central Bank of Barbados, which has announced that an all-new series on polymer will be issued this December.

The designs will be unveiled in May, although it has been stated that the denominations, colours and portraits of notable Barbadians will remain unchanged.

According to Clevison Haynes, the Governor, ‘with this transition to polymer we will be able to offer Barbadians banknotes that are highly secure, with features that are harder to simulate yet easy to authenticate’.

The first central bank in the region to introduce a full series of polymer notes was the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) in 2019. Trinidad & Tobago followed suit in 2020.