Note and Coin News

The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) is introducing new polymer $2 and $5 banknotes on the theme of ‘Same Look, Smarter Design’.

Designed and printed by De La Rue on SAFEGUARD®, the banknotes incorporate a number of new security features including ARGENTUM™, a special silver ink that creates a highly reflective and visually striking image, and Enhanced GEMINI™, a level 2 feature that appears under UV light.

The front left corner of the new $2 and $5 notes features the portrait of King Charles III. The $2 note includes triangular embossed dots to aid the visually impaired, while the $5 note features a circular pattern. On the front, a reflective, mirrorlike tuna appears in ARGENTUM, with its shadow visible on the back. Opposite the silver tuna, a coloured tuna embedded in the substrate becomes clearer when held to light.

The notes also feature a clear window with fully and partially transparent areas displaying a cloudy sky and an underwater scene visible from both sides. In this window, the abbreviation BMA is printed on the front, and a hibiscus flower appears on the reverse, both becoming see-through when backlit. Additional security features ILLUMINATE™ and ROTATE™ are fully integrated into the iridescent ink design of waves, multiple fish, and a sun, that appear when the notes are tilted. Under UV light, hidden elements in two colours emerge.