Trinidad & Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago new 100-dollar polymer note (B241) reported for 09.12.2019 introduction

On 9 December 2019, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago introduced a new 100-dollar note on polymer substrate with significantly enhanced security. The bank intends to expand the range of polymer notes to the other denominations in 2020. The polymer notes will circulate in parallel with the preceding paper notes.

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Trinidad and Tobago new signature 1-dollar note (B229b) confirmed

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Like B229a, but new signature. Prefix QX.

Courtesy of Jean-Michel Engels.

Trinidad and Tobago new signature 100-dollar note confirmed

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Like B233a, but new signature. Prefix NB.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Trinidad and Tobago new signature 10-dollar note (B231b) confirmed

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Like B231a, but new signatures. Prefix DP.

Courtesy of Richard Miranda.

Trinidad and Tobago new signature 20-dollar note (B232b) confirmed

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Like B232a, but new signature (Alvin Hilaire). Prefix JT.

Courtesy of David Murcek (The Monetary Unit).


Trinidad and Tobago new signature 5-dollar note (B230b) confirmed

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Like B230a, but new signature (Alvin Hilaire). Prefix ET.

Courtesy of David Murcek (The Monetary Unit).


Trinidad and Tobago new 50-dollar note (B235) confirmed

This note is like the preceding issue (B234), but without novel serial numbering or the commemorative text at upper center front, and with the addition of a circle of embossed dots at lower right front, and a red banner across the tail of the bird on front. Reports are that the bank intends to add embossed symbols to all the other denominations to assist the sight impaired. No word yet on when the new notes will be introduced, nor if they will be all new designs.

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B235 (PNL): 50 dollars (US$7.85)
Gold, brown, purple, red, and green. Front: Coat of arms; red hibiscus flower; SPARK Orbital hibiscus; red-capped cardinal bird in flight. Back: Red-capped cardinal in flight; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; female masquerader in Carnival costume. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (TDLR). 152 x 70 mm. Polymer.
a. 2015. Sig. 9. Prefix CH. Intro: 30.11.2015.


Trinidad & Tobago new 50-dollar note reported

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According to an article in the Daily Express dated 29 November 2015, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago introduced a redesigned 50-dollar note similar to B234 which was introduced in December 2014 and subsequently was honored as the IBNS Bank Note of the Year. The redesigned note was introduced in early November 2015 and incorporates an embossed tactile feature for the visually-impaired, and no longer features novel serial numbers.

Trinidad and Tobago new 10-dollar note confirmed

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10 dollars, 2006. Like B223, but new signature (Jwala Rambarran, who took over as governor from Ewart S. Williams on 13.07.2012) and raised horizontal bars at upper left and right front to assist the visually impaired distinguish between denominations.

Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (
www.banknoten.de).

Trinidad and Tobago 50-dollar note named IBNS Banknote of 2014

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The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) announces that its voting membership has for the first time ever selected the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago to receive it prestigious “Bank Note of the Year Award” for 2014. With over 130 new banknotes released worldwide in 2014, nearly 3 dozen were of sufficiently new design to be eligible for nomination. The 50 Dollar polymer Trinidad and Tobago note was followed in voting by the 5000 Franc note from the French Pacific Territories (Tahiti) and the 10 Dinar bill from Kuwait.

Now in its 54th year, the IBNS has over 2000 members worldwide. As a nonprofit educational organization its objectives are to promote, stimulate and advance the study, collection and dissemination of information related to paper money. From all significantly newly designed and widely circulated banknotes released in 2014, the IBNS membership nominated notes from 12 different countries to place on the ballot. Nominees represented three continents (Europe, Asia & Africa), the Middle East, and 4 island nations (2 in the Americas). Past “Bank Note of the Year” winners include Kazakhstan (2013, 2012, 2011), Uganda (2010), Bermuda (2009), Samoa (2008), Scotland (2007), Comoros (2006), Faeroe Islands (2005) and Canada (2004).

The 2014 winning banknote was produced collaboratively by the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago and De La Rue Currency of England. It is the first Central Bank in the Caribbean to issue polymer currency. While the 50 Dollar award-winning bill fittingly commemorates the Central Bank’s Golden Anniversary, “it is meant to be used for all your purchases, like you would any other money.” The note is virtually identical in size to United States bills with a face value of almost 8 U.S. Dollars, 7 Euros or 5 British Pounds at early May 2015 exchange rates.

The stunning design, predominantly gold in color, interprets an artist’s rendering of a red hibiscus flower and truly striking image of a red capped cardinal bird in flight against the clear transparent polymer plastic window. The back of the note features a young female masquerader in an award-winning Carnival costume along with the Central Bank building. Modern polymer banknotes have enjoyed increasing popularity since their introduction in 1988. They offer durability as well as enhanced security features and have become a favorite of many collectors.

Trinidad and Tobago new 5-dollar note confirmed

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5 dollars, 2006. Like CBTT B22, but new signature (Jwala Rambarran, who took over as governor from Ewart S. Williams on 13.07.2012) and raised horizontal bars at upper left and right front to assist the visually impaired distinguish between denominations.

Courtesy of Rachel Peters.

Trinidad & Tobago new 50-dollar polymer note (B234) confirmed

According to the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago, this redesigned 50-dollar note printed on polymer substrate reflects “the beauty of our people and the diversity off our flora.” It replaces the preceding 50-dollar paper note issued in 2012, which failed to gain public acceptance because it was similar in color to other denominations and the misperception that it was a commemorative note. Both notes will circulate in parallel, though the paper notes will be slowly withdrawn as they are returned to the central bank. If the polymer note is warmly received, the bank intends to issue other denominations on polymer substrate in the future.


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B234 (P50): 50 dollars (US$8)
Gold, brown, purple, red, and green. Front: Coat of arms; red hibiscus flower; SPARK Orbital hibiscus; red-capped cardinal bird in flight. Back: Red-capped cardinal in flight; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; female masquerader in Carnival costume. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (TDLR). 156 x 66 mm. Polymer.
a. 2014. Signature 9. Prefix AA. Intro: 15.12.2014.

Courtesy of Shibu Paul (IBNS LM 208) and Ashley Alexander (www.ebanknoteshop.com).

Trinidad and Tobago new 50-dollar polymer note to be issued 15.12.2014

According to a post on the web site of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, a redesigned 50-dollar note will be unveiled on 13 December 2014, and introduced into circulation on 15 December. The note will be printed on polymer substrate, be gold in color, and "reflect the beauty of our people and the diversity off our flora."

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Cleo Phas,

Trinidad and Tobago new 100-dollar note confirmed

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100 dollars, 2006. Like CBTT B25, but new signature (Jwala Rambarran, who took over as governor from Ewart S. Williams on 13.07.2012) and raised horizontal bars at upper left and right front to assist the visually impaired distinguish between denominations. Intro: March 2014.

Courtesy of Monetary Research Institute.

Trinidad and Tobago new 1-dollar note confirmed

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1 dollar, 2006. Like B221, but new signature (Jwala Rambarran, who took over as governor from Ewart S. Williams on 13.07.2012) and raised horizontal bars at upper left and right front to assist the visually impaired distinguish between denominations. Intro: November 2013.

Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (www.banknoten.de), and Claudio Marana.

Trinidad and Tobago new 50-dollar regular and commemorative notes confirmed

According to an article in Trinidad Express Newspapers dated 14 June 2012 and an official press release, on 20 June 2012, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago unveiled a new 50-dollar (US$7.80) note to commemorate the nation's 50th independence anniversary. The notes entered circulation in August 2012.

The press release indicates that only a limited number of notes carry the following red text around the coat of arms at center front: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1962-2012. According to my contacts at the bank, both the overprinted and regular $50 notes entered circulation at face value as legal tender (i.e. they are not sold at a premium as numismatic products).

Also of interest is the press release indication, "Each note has a series of raised bars at the top left and right sides. These are to facilitate recognition by the visually impaired and will be introduced on all denominations in due course." It appears collectors can look forward to new varieties of existing designs with intaglio printed bars.

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CBTT B27 (PNL): 50 dollars (US$8)
Gold and olive green. Front: Red-capped cardinal bird on branch; red CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1962-2012 overprint around coat of arms; red-capped cardinal as registration device; Depth Image holographic patch. Back: Red-capped cardinal; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; Red House (Parliament building). 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT50. Watermark: Red-capped cardinal, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 152.4 x 69.85 mm.
a. Series 2006; 2012 on overprint. Signature 8. Intro: August 2012.

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CBTT B28 (PNL): 50 dollars (US$8)
Gold and olive green. Front: Red-capped cardinal bird on branch; without overprint around coat of arms; red-capped cardinal as registration device; Depth Image holographic patch. Back: Red-capped cardinal; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; Red House (Parliament building). 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT50. Watermark: Red-capped cardinal, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 152.4 x 69.85 mm.
a. Series 2006. Signature 8. Intro: August 2012.

Courtesy of Phil Martin, Richard Miranda, Marcus Jansson, and NUMISCONDOR.

Trinidad and Tobago chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The Trinidad and Tobago chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 19-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago from 1905 to 1949, and the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago from 1964 to present. Revised 25.08.2018.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:
  • Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
  • Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
  • Specific identification of all vignette elements
  • Security features described in full
  • Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
  • Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
  • Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
  • Date reproduced exactly as on note
  • Precise date of introduction noted when known
  • Replacement note information
  • Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
  • Background information for historical and cultural context
  • Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
  • Bibliographic sources listed for further research

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If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.

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Trinidad and Tobago new 100-dollar CHOGM commemorative confirmed


The Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago introduced a new 100-dollar (US$15.80) note to commemorate the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that was held 27-29 November in the capital, Port of Spain.

The new notes is legal tender, circulating side-by-side with the current note of the same denomination (Pick 45). The commemorative note has all the security features of the current note, though there are two changes to the front:

  • 60 years of the Commonwealth 1949-2009
  • CHOGM logo in single color

On the reverse of the note are the following changes:

  • CHOGM logo in full color
  • Carnival sun image at the top of the note
  • The Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre and the view of the city of Port-of-Spain in the background
  • The oil rig has been shifted to the right of the note
  • Larger $100 numeral at the top right of the note
  • ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS in words at the bottom of the note.

Courtesy of Mark Allen and TDS.

Trinidad and Tobago new date (2006) 5-dollar note confirmed


5 dollar (US$0.80), 2006. Introduced 26.02.2007. Like Pick 42, but new date, watermark of blue crowned motmot, and blue vertical serial number.

Courtesy of Ronny Hick.

Trinidad and Tobago issue revised high denomination notes

Following a 26.02.2007 upgrade to its $1 and $5 notes, on 13.11.2007, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago completed its upgrade of its higher denominations with new security features, changing from the use of the greater bird of paradise watermark on all notes to watermarks that match the bird found on the individual denominations, plus changing the color of the vertical serial number at right from red to blue. The size (152.4 x 69.85 mm), signature (Ewart Williams, GOVERNOR), and printer (De La Rue) remain unchanged.

Trinidad and Tobago new date (2006) 1-dollar note confirmed


1 dollar (US$0.15), 2006. Introduced 26.02.2007. Like Pick 41, but new date, narrower (1.2 mm vs. 2 mm) windowed security thread, watermark of sacred ibis, and blue vertical serial number.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.