Ten prominent figures from the Caribbean are expected to replace the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II as the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) rolls out a redesigned Eastern Caribbean (EC) currency.
The ECCB, which is responsible for issuing currency in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), said the new banknotes could enter circulation by late 2027, beginning with the EC$100 note. In a communiqué, the ECCB said the $5, $10, $20, and $50 banknotes are expected to come at later dates as current stocks deplete.
The redesigned banknotes will showcase dual portraits of two notable ECCU nationals with ten featured across all denominations.
“Ten prominent regional figures in all will be featured on the redesigned banknotes,” the communique said. The ECCB has not revealed the names of the Caribbean figures who will be on the new notes.
The decision to remove the Queen’s image from the EC dollar was made on July 21, 2023, at the ECCB’s 105th Monetary Council Meeting in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
It was a historic move since the late monarch’s portrait has appeared prominently on notes and coins issued by the ECCB for decades. It also signifies steps towards asserting the ECCU’s unique identity as well as cutting ties with the British Monarchy.
At the Council’s meeting in July 2023, the ECCB announced that there would be a thorough process of public consultation on the matter that would last until December 31, 2023.
The ECCB announced on October 18, 2024, the final decision to have the ten Caribbean nationals on the new banknotes.
The EC currency came into circulation on October 6, 1965. It was the successor to the British West Indies dollar.
Put Skerrit face on all the bills.
Put Linton on the one cent
Dame Eugenia Charles, must be on one of the new notes.
Am looking forward to see a potrait of a Kalinago (first people of the Caribbean) icon on one of the bank notes.
Of course, the indigenous must be represented in our bank notes 📝. But rember these leaders were educated in the colonial ed system, only a few took it further to understand who they are , that they are not European.
As a proud Saint Lucian and member of the Eastern Caribbean family, I welcome this change. It symbolises for me another milestone in our forward march towards total independence. Like Marley, I believe in the mantra that “none but ourselves can free our minds” and by extension continue on the path of creating our own identity. I look forward in earnest to 2027. Long live the O.E.C.S.👍🏿🙌🏾👏🏿
All elements of colonialism should be replaced where ever possible. They developed their country on the sweat and blood of our ancestry and up to a day like today, not even in Samoa did they apologize and agree to pay reparation.
Well done ECCB. You forward thinking.
After this currency move I would like to call on all Caribbean Countries to begin to leave the Commonwealth.
What has the Commonwealth done to improve the lives of the poor and down trodden. What do we get instead? Visa restrictions and deportation. It is time to change the leaders who will not speak on our behalf.
once the put Miss Charles on the 50 or 100 I good.
Na, apart from the fact that her father respected and assisted Marcus Garvey and the movement, it’s as good as nominating Ronald Reagan or PJ.
It was about time they removed the symbol of racism and oppression on our lives. Since I was a kid it puzzled me why this lady face on our money. we encourage the inequality of man for far too long. I am subject to no man or race. we need to get out of the commonwealth also because there is nothing common about it. unless we see ourselves as royalty capable of achieving greatness we will be someone else bitch or slave. too many leaders these days try to elevate themselves by devaluing others instead of inspiring to be creative, and the best of themselves. I hope all who gained or inherited earthly wealth from the enslavement and abuse of other people burn in hell.