Banknote Denomination/s and Date of Issue
$50, $100, $500, $1000, $2000 and $5000 issued 15th June 2023.
Submitting Organziation Name and role, if any, in the Project
De La Rue, designer and printer.
Banknote Issuer’s Organization Name
Project Description
Bank of Jamaica, in keeping with its commitment to provide Jamaicans with quality banknotes that are secure against the threat of counterfeiting, conceptualised a project to redesign its family of banknotes in 2020. The idea came about as the existing design of the country’s cotton-based banknotes was outdated, reflecting concepts from the 1980s, and needed to be updated to incorporate more modern concepts and the latest technology. In this regard, the redesign was aimed at:
• Enhancing the security features of the banknotes to combat counterfeiting;
• Enhancing the tactile features to better serve the visually impaired;
• Ensuring a clear distinction among the different denominations to allow for easy recognition and authentication; and
• Ensuring principles of fair trading are satisfied
• Providing cost savings to Bank of Jamaica
At the same time, this redesign of the banknotes allowed the country to introduce a new denomination, the $2000, which increased the family of banknotes from five to six. This additional denomination addressed the previously existing inefficiencies in the currency structure that arose from the over-reliance on the $1000 banknote. Importantly, through this redesign, the country took the opportunity to honour all its national heroes and deceased prime ministers for their various contributions to Jamaica’s development.
Project Team
Legal Tender/Continuous Circulation/Face Value Confirmation
If the nominator is not the Owner, please check this box that the Owner is aware and accepting this nomination
Innovation and Uniqueness of Security Features
The banknote series was designed and printed by De La Rue on SAFEGUARD® and included the 100th denomination printed on the substrate around the world. The three higher denominations feature a holographic stripe with photo-realistic dual portraits, DEPTH™ and PUREIMAGE™ effects. This series is among the first to utilise dual portraits on the SAFEGUARD® substrate. The three lower-value denominations make use of large windows with high-resolution dual-portrait images (except for the $100 which features a single portrait) within the windows.
Additionally, the notes feature ARGENTUM™, ILLUMINATE, TACTILE EMBOSS, and Enhanced GEMINI™. The front of the banknotes utilises the Enhanced GEMINI™ feature to depict vivid pattern work.
Integration of historical or local content that is relevant to the country concerned
The Jamaican story is one of overcoming the injustices of slavery and colonialism to become a proud independent nation with a global influence that belies its size and population. This is reflected in these banknotes, featuring Jamaican themes such as leaders, people, flora, fauna, historic sites, monuments, tourist attractions, and infrastructure.
The Bank’s Currency Structure Policy allows for the front of banknotes to feature deceased National Heroes/Heroine or former Premiers/Prime Ministers, with 11 eligible subjects. Initially, only five banknote denominations featured five of these subjects. The challenge was to ensure full representation of the 11 eligible Jamaicans (seven National Heroes and four deceased Prime Ministers) on six banknote denominations.
The Bank decided to feature two individuals on each denomination (excluding the $100), pairing them based on their historical significance and contributions. The Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey appears alone on the $100 banknote, given his status as Jamaica’s first National Hero.
Effectiveness of the integration of security features into the banknote
The banknotes feature secondary elements and background designs that enhance their aesthetic appeal and security. These elements are depicted around the portraits and between the window and holographic stripes, differentiating higher and lower denominations. Large clear denomination numerals in contrasting colours and strong colour definition form the foundation of the imagery.
The windows and foils replace the traditional watermark, making it easy for the public to identify genuine banknotes. The holographic stripe on higher denominations combines classical holography and vivid colour through movement and effects, creating a modern and secure feature. The high pixel density of the portraits in the window on lower denominations produces clear images with remarkable details, complemented by iridescent and reflective inks that produce movement effects.
Enhanced security features have led to fewer counterfeiting attempts. The new polymer notes’ tactile features are superior, allowing the visually impaired to easily authenticate and identify each banknote.
Aesthetic appeal and overall design of the banknote or banknote series
The new banknote series reflects an evolutionary design approach, retaining well-liked elements of the older cotton-based series while incorporating modern enhancements in themes and colours. The banknotes tell a cohesive story through their themes and imagery, inspiring pride in Jamaica, its culture, and its global achievements.
The new series allows for better colour separation among all six denominations, with each having a distinct colour. This new colour scheme is aesthetically pleasing and aids both colour blind and normal sighted people in identifying each denomination. The design evolution ensures familiarity while introducing modern elements that enhance the overall appeal and functionality of the banknotes.
Jamaican New Banknotes