Barbados’ new polymer notes will be difficult to duplicate with its high security features.
Governor of the Central Bank Cleviston Haynes said he was pleased with the new series of polymer bank notes which retained key elements of previous currency, while at the same time going in a new direction to create money that was modern and attractive.
He was speaking at the official launch and unveiling of the new notes at Frank Collymore Hall today.
“Above all, I am confident that when the new notes go into circulation in December, they will be as promised, harder to replicate but easy to authenticate. One important difference you will see, is that the new notes will have a different feel because we have changed the material from which our notes are made.
“This is a trend that several countries have adopted including some in our own region. As technologies change, let us embrace the change,” he said.
Although polymer notes might be described as having a plastic feel, Garth Evans, country director for currency at De La Rue, the island’s bank note printers, said it lasted two and a half times longer than the paper equivalent allowed for the inclusion of security features which made it difficult for duplication, was far more inclusive to the visually impaired community, and was more environmentally friendly. (RA)