Bahamas

Bahamas new 50-dollar note (B354) confirmed introduced 03.10.2019

According to a press release, the Central Bank of The Bahamas introduced a new 50-dollar note (B354) on 3 October 2019. This is the first note in the world with a Rapid security thread on Durasafe substrate.

Bahamas_CBB_50_dollars_2019.00.00_B354a_PNL_B_0900987_f
Bahamas_CBB_50_dollars_2019.00.00_B354a_PNL_B_0900987_r

Courtesy of Cesar Zuluaga and Hartmut Fraunhoffer (Banknote-Online).

Bahamas new 3-dollar note (B350a) confirmed introduced 28.03.2019

CRISP Evolution (CE) $3 Banknote from CBOB IAM on Vimeo.


Bahamas_CBB_3_dollars_2019.00.00_B350a_PNL_A_016647_fBahamas_CBB_3_dollars_2019.00.00_B350a_PNL_A_016647_r

Courtesy of Areez Habib, Nikolajs Cerps, and Hartmut Fraunhoffer (Banknote-Online).

Bahamas new 3-dollar note (B350a) reported to be introduced 28.03.2019

According to a press release dated 21 March 2019, the Central Bank of The Bahamas will introduce a new 3-dollar note (B350a) on 28 March 2019, marking the first redesign of this denomination since 1984.

Bahamas new ½-dollar note (B348a) confirmed introduced 24.01.2019

According to a press release dated 17 January 2019, the Central Bank of the Bahamas planned to introduce a new ½-dollar note (B348a) on 24 January 2019.

Bahamas_CBB_0.50_dollar_2018.00.00_B348a_PNL_A_005401_f
Bahamas_CBB_0.50_dollar_2018.00.00_B348a_PNL_A_005401_r

Courtesy of Numisnota (http://numisnota.eu), Marcus Rosenburg, and James Pickering.

Bahamas new 20-dollar note (B353a) confirmed introduced 27.09.2018

According to a press release dated 26 September 2018, the Central Bank of the Bahamas has introduced a new 20-dollar note (B353a) and is going to be printing the ½- and 3-dollar denominations as part of the CRISP Evolution family.



Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Bahamas new 1-dollar note (B349a) confirmed introduced 27.09.2017

According to a press release, on 27 September 2017 the Central Bank of The Bahamas introduced a new 1-dollar note in the CRISP Evolution family.

Bahamas_CBB_1_dollar_2017.00.00_B348a_PNL_A_0118471_fBahamas_CBB_1_dollar_2017.00.00_B348a_PNL_A_0118471_r

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Fortumor Banknotes (http://stores.ebay.com/FortuMor).


Bahamas new 50- and 100-dollar notes on Durasafe reported for 2018 intro

According to a press release dated 8 June 2017, new 50- and 100-dollar notes expected to be introduced in 2018 will be printed on Durasafe, a paper-polymer-paper composite substrate produced by Landqart. According to other sources, these denominations will reportedly be printed by Canadian Banknote Company using Crane’s Rapid windowed security thread. The 1- and 5-dollar notes are reported to be printed on Louisenthal’s Hybrid substrate.

Courtesy of Cedrian López Bosch.

Bahamas new CRISP Evolution 10-dollar note (B352a) confirmed

According to a press release dated 26 September 2016, on 28 September 2016 the Central Bank of The Bahamas launched a new 10-dollar note, the first in its newest family of CRISP Evolution (Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Product) banknotes, with other denominations to be introduced over the next few years.

The new note bears some of the same design elements as the preceding issue (B340), but with a vertical orientation for the back, and enhanced security features. The note is the first non-commemorative banknote in the world bearing De La Rue's Active, a lenticular thread visible on the back of the note (Poland BNP820 with Active was introduced on 20 April 2016). The note also has subsidiary features, such as the use of raster graphics throughout the banknote, a SPARK Orbital butterfly, and the installation of tactile bars for the visually-impaired.

Bahamas_CBB_10_dollars_2016.00.00_B350a_PNL_A_079099_fBahamas_CBB_10_dollars_2016.00.00_B350a_PNL_A_079099_r

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Yuri111 (yuri111).



Bahamas new 1-dollar note (B344) confirmed

Bahamas_CBB_1_dollar_2015.00.00_B347a_PNL_AN_000785_f
Bahamas_CBB_1_dollar_2015.00.00_B347a_PNL_AN_000785_r
Like B337, but the map of the islands at center front has been altered, new date (2015), and new printer imprint (DE LA RUE). Prefix AN.

Courtesy of Janus Juraschek.

Bahamas new 5-dollar note (B345a) confirmed

Bahamas_CBB_5_dollars_2013.00.00_B46a_PNL_G_145605_f
Bahamas_CBB_5_dollars_2013.00.00_B46a_PNL_G_145605_r
5 dollars, 2013. Like B338a, but new date and the map of the islands at center front has been altered. Prefix G.

Courtesy of Sev Onyshkevych.

Bahamas new 50-dollar note (B347a) confirmed

50 dollars (US$50), 2012. This note is like the preceding issues (B342a) dated 2006, but the map of the islands at center front has been altered and there is a new printer imprint (Giesecke & Devrient instead of FCOF) at lower right back.

Courtesy of James Bradly Huang.

Bahamas chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


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

This 28-page catalog covers notes issued by the Bahamas Government from 1919 to 1965, the Bahamas Monetary Authority in 1968, and the Central Bank of the Bahamas from 1974 to present. Revised 03.02.2019.

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
  • Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
  • 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

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
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.

Subscribe
Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Sign up

The Challenge: Who is Sister Sarah on Bahamas 50-cent note?

Bahamas_CBB_50_C_1974.00.00_B7a_P42a_A_019718_r
Beginning with the Bahamas' 50-cent note (P42) introduced in 1984, the back has depicted "Sister Sarah in Nassau Market." However, the bank's web site makes no mention of who this woman is, or why she is featured on the banknote. If anyone knows if she is in fact a real person, an archetype, or a fictional character, please contact me with details.

IDENTIFIED: According to Paul Walters, "Sister Sarah is indeed a real person. I am not sure if she is still living, I don't think she is. She was a prominant figure at the straw market in the 1970s, when the market was located along the dock--before it moved to its present day location on Bay street."

Alex Zlotin found this article that refers to Sister Sarah Johnson as a local artisan straw weaver.

Bahamas 20-dollar note mystery uncovered

In preparing the Bahamas chapter of The Banknote Book for publication next week, I discovered a mystery regarding the $20 note issued in the early 1990s.

The last $20 note featuring Queen Elizabeth on front was introduced in 1984. This is Pick 47.

In the early 1990s, Milo Butler's portrait replaced QEII on the front of the $20, though the law date remains 1974. This note is Pick 54.

The subsequent $20 features revised color schemes, the series year 1997, and horizontal novel serial numbers. This note is Pick 65.

The mystery revolves around the harbor scene on the back of these notes.

On the P47 note, Nassau Harbour is depicted from one angle, without Paradise Island visible. This is the "old" scene.

On the P65 note, the angle of the scene is different, and both Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island are visible and labeled. This is the "new" scene.

It appears that both the old and new scenes were used on P54. The note depicted in the SCWPM bears a serial number of A 163107 and has a "new" scene on back similar (not identical) to that of P65. However, I have scans of a note with serial number A 573516, but the back is similar (not identical) to the "old" scene on P47. I also have scans with later prefixes and serial numbers that show the "new" scene like P65.

So, based upon the limited evidence on hand, it appears that the early $20 notes featuring Bulter's portrait had the new harbor scene, then a batch was produced with the old scene, then the back reverted to the new scene.

In the interest of trying to narrow down when the changes to the back took place, I ask that anyone who owns a Bulter $20 note with law date of 1974 please send front/back scans to owen@banknotenews.com.

Bahamas_CBB_20_D_1974.00.00_B12b_P47b_J_366064_r
Back of Pick 47 with "old" harbor scene

Bahamas_CBB_20_D_1974.00.00_B19a_P54a_A_573516_r
Back of Pick 54 with "old" harbor scene

Bahamas_CBB_20_D_1974.00.00_B19a_P54a_B_017280_r
Back of Pick 54 with "new" harbor scene

Bahamas_CBB_20_D_1997.00.00_B25a_P65a_J_150502_r
Back of Pick 65 with "new" harbor scene

Bahamas new 20-dollar note (B346a) confirmed


20 dollars (US$20), 2009.
This note is like the preceding issues (B341a), but the map of the islands at center front has been altered, the $20 at lower left front is no longer two-tone, and there is a new printer imprint (Giesecke & Devrient instead of FCOF) at lower right back.

Courtesy of Monetary Research Institute.

Bahamas new 10-dollar note (B340a) confirmed



B340 (PNL): 10 dollars (US$10)
Dark blue, dark green, and maroon. Front: Sand dollar; blue foil patch; map; Stafford Sands. Back: Hope Town, lighthouse, Abaco with buildings and boats; coat of arms. Solid security thread and 3-mm windowed security thread with demetalized BAHAMAS. Watermark: Stafford Sands with electrotype 10 and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 156 x 67 mm. 2009. Signature Wendy Craigg. Intro: 2010.

Courtesy of banknoteshop@gmx.net.

Bahamas to issue new 10-dollar note

The following is from a press release dated 30 April 2010:

The Government of The Bahamas wishes to advise the public that an updated series of $10 banknotes will be issued by the Central Bank bearing the image of Sir Stafford Sands, former Minister of Finance of The Bahamas and a principal architect of the modern Bahamian economy.

Sir Stafford’s image was first placed on the banknote on March 7th, 2000, when the series 2000 banknotes were released into circulation, replacing the image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2005 the government of the day determined to remove the image of Sir Stafford and to replace it with the image of Her Majesty the Queen.

Shortly after coming to office in 2007 the Government took the decision that when the 2005 series of banknotes bearing the image of the Queen expired the new series of $10 banknotes would again bear the image of Sir Stafford Sands. Now, given the expiration of the 2005 banknotes, the image of Bahamian Sir Stafford once again returns to the notes.

The Government is pleased to continue this effort of honouring Bahamians who make significant contributions to The Bahamas by placing their images on our local currency, an exercise that began in December 1993 when, for the first time, the portrait of a Bahamian, Sir Milo Butler was placed on the $20 banknote. Thereafter, the portraits of Sir Cecil was placed on the 1995 $5 banknote; Sir Roland on the $50 banknote in 2000 and Sir Lynden on the $1 banknote in 2001.

Bahamas new CRISP 100-dollar note (B343a) confirmed


On 16 December 2009 the Central Bank of The Bahamas introduced a more secure 100-dollar banknote. This is the sixth and final denomination issued in the new CRISP (Counterfeit Resistance Integrated Security Product) family of notes. The new notes will circulate in parallel with the old $100 notes, which will eventually be phased out of circulation.

The new note is purple, blue, green, and mauve. It features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the front, and a picture of a blue marlin on the back. The note has a new watermark of QEII, the numeral 100 on the front left, and a new registration device of a sand dollar. CRISP banknote paper is also coated with a new sizing agent to help prevent the chemical removal of inks from the paper.

100 dollars (US$100), 2009. Purple, blue, green, and mauve. Front: Sand dollar; map; hologram; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: Blue marlin fish; coat of arms. Solid security thread and 3-mm windowed security thread with demetalized BAHAMAS and sand dollar. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II with electrotype 100. Printer: DE LA RUE. 156 x 67 mm.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause and TDS.

Bahamas new CRISP 1-dollar note (B337a) confirmed



1 dollar
Dark green, mint green, and brown. Front: Green foil fish; Sir Lynden O. Pindling. Back: Royal Bahamas Police Force Band. Violet-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized BAHAMAS. Watermark: Pindling with electrotype 1. Printer: OBERTHUR TECHNOLOGIES. 156 x 67 mm.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause and Tod Hunt.

Bahamas new CRISP 5-dollar note (B338a) confirmed



5 dollars (US$5), 2007. Issued December 17, 2007. Like B329, but fourth denomination in CRISP (Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Product) family with larger island names, 3-mm windowed security thread printed BAHAMAS, gold metallic foil galleon, 5 as electrotype watermark, THECENTRALBANK in microprinting, sand dollar in OVI, sand dollar as registration device, gold iridescent band with bank logo on back, signature (Wendy M. Craigg, Governor). Orange, brown, and blue. Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield as portrait and watermark. Junkanoo dancers on back. 156 x 67 mm.

Courtesy of the Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Bahamas new CRISP 20-dollar note (B341a) confirmed


20 dollars, 2006. Issued September 6, 2006. Like Pick 65, but second denomination in CRISP (Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Product) family with larger island names, 3 mm windowed security thread printed BAHAMAS, solid security thread, 20 as latent image, THECENTRALBANK in microprinting, sand dollar in OVI, sand dollar as registration device, gold iridescent band with sand dollars on back. Charcoal, red, and green. Signature: Wendy M. Craigg, Governor. Sir Milo B. Butler as portrait and wmk. Nassau Harbor in New Providence on back. Printer: FCOF (with imprint). 156 x 67 mm.

Courtesy of Morris Lawing.

Bahamas new CRISP 50-dollar note (B342a) confirmed


50 dollars, 2006. Issued December 13, 2006. Like B332, but third denomination in CRISP (Counterfeit Resistant Integrated Security Product) family with larger island names, 3 mm windowed security thread printed BAHAMAS, solid security thread, 50 as latent image, THECENTRALBANK in microprinting, sand dollar in OVI, sand dollar as registration device, gold iridescent band with sand dollars on back. Orange, brown, and green. Signature: Wendy M. Craigg, Governor. Sir Roland T. Symonette as portrait and wmk, along with 50 as eletrotype wmk. Central Bank building on back. Printer: FCOF (with imprint). 156 x 67 mm.

Courtesy of the Central Bank of the Bahamas.