Bolivia’s Bicentennial Commemorative Banknote

Amidst the gradual introduction of a new banknote series, Banco Central de Bolivia (BCB) has also launched a new bicentennial commemorative banknote, which was unveiled earlier this month at a special event attended by the country’s President at the Casa de Libertad in Sucre, a heritage museum and former church where the country signed its declaration of independence in 1825.

The non-denominated banknote was printed by Crane Currency on GUARDIAN™ polymer substrate and is a collectible (the numeral 200 represents Bolivia’s 200 years of independence, not the value). In addition, gold and silver collectors’ coins and a circulating commemorative Bs2 coin have been produced.

The design of the note combines a number of tributes to the nation’s culture and history. On the front, it honours eight independence heroes, including Simón Bolívar, Antonio José de Sucre, Tupac Katari, and Juana Azurduy. A MOTION SURFACE® stripe in blue is featured on the right. Its visual effects bring to life a pandemonium of Blue Paraba (macaws) flying over a shape-shifting landscape, while the central bank initials BCB swirl inside a three-dimensional globe. The years 1825 and 2025 are printed in green- to-magenta colour-changing ink.