Jamaica Makes the Change

The Bank of Jamaica’s new banknote series has now gone into circulation, marking a complete transition to polymer for the country’s currency.

The denominational structure remains unchanged with banknotes of $50, $100, $500, $1,000 and $5,000, but with the addition of a new $2,000 to help ease cash settlements and relieve pressure on the $500 and $1,000 notes.

The overall design is more modern (the designs of some of the notes in the current series date back to the 1980s), but the portraits have changed. The front of each denomination features two individuals, paired according to their contribution to Jamaica (other than the $100, which features one). The reverse continues to feature the same Jamaican themes and scenes as the current series.