CBCS reveals new designs for Caribbean Guilder for Curaçao and Sint Maarten

The Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) revealed new designs for Caribbean banknotes and coins on Thursday, 22 August. The first introductions were made at an event hosted by Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

The PB2024-032 Design of the Caribbean Guilder by Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten is inspired by the World Under the Sea. The design shows the free swimming of fish without any restriction of borders.

The intention of using this kind of imagery on the new banknotes and coins by authority is to show the unity among the nations of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The countries are using this design as a metaphor for their monetary union and similar objectives.

The officials quoted in relation to the new design and its relevance that, “The diversity of unique aquatic life serves as a reminder that, despite our distinct identities, we are connected by collaboration and shared objectives.”

As per the designs shared by the Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten, the new banknotes will be of distinct colors. The banknotes will show the vibrant native marine life on the front side, while the back side will display the cultural and historical landmarks.

The new banknotes of the Caribbean guilder will come in five sums of 10 CG, 20 CG, 50 CG, 100 CG, and 200 CG. The 10 CG banknote is of yellow color, in front of which Gray Angelfish and the Queen Conch are displayed, while the back is printed with the historic Light House on Klein Curacao.

The 20 CG is of blue color predominantly, whose front is printed with Eagle Ray and the Yellow Cowry, where the back side shows Simpson Bay Lagoon. The 50 CG is of green color, featuring a Green Sea Turtle and the Favored Tellin shell at the front.

Playa Kenepa Grandi Beach is at the back side of 50 CG. The red color 100 CG banknote gives place to the Spotlight Parrot Fish and the Common Music Volute at the front side, while the Courthouse of Sint Maarten is at the back.

Purple is the color chosen for 200 CG, which carries Queen Emma Bridge on the back and the Longsnout Seahorse and the Giant Tun Shell in front. The designs of the new coins are also shared, which will come as 1 CG and 5 CG, along with 1 ct, 5 ct, 10 ct, 25 ct, and 50 ct in lower denominations.

The coins of 1 CG and 5 CG will display the effigy of the King of the Netherlands on the front side. The face of the coins will also carry the name of the king, Willem Alexander, along with the words Koning der Nederlanden.

The front faces of the coins will be the same for both Curaçao and Sint Maarten, while the back face will display different things. The back faces of 1 CG and 5 CG in Curaçao show the island of Curacao. The Caribbean Sea will also displayed on it, which will form Curaçao in words with its waves.

There will also be two Green Sea Turtles added to the design. Meanwhile, the back faces of 1 CG and 5 CG in Sint Maarten will also show the Green Sea Turtles along with the national coat of arms. The lower denominations will display Orange Blossom on the front and Curaçao or Sint Maarten on the back.

In the event, it was declared that the new currency will be introduced for public use from next year, 2025. Richard Doornbosch, the President of Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten, and Leila Matroos-Lasten, the Executive Director, were also part of the gathering.

The top authorities spoke about the concentrated efforts in the projects along with the long journey of the Caribbean guilder. They stated that the efforts by the involved stakeholders resulted in a beautiful and secure result as a new currency.

The new banknotes and coins of Caribbean currency will replace the Netherlands Antilles in the market, which are being used. For this change, CBCS will also commence training sessions for retail personnel and commercial banks.

These training sessions on the new banknotes and coins will help streamline the transition of new currency with the Netherlands Antilles. The authorities are dedicated to the smooth adoption of the new Caribbean guilder in regular use around Curaçao and Sint Maarten.

The currency will be used by the nations of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, about which the CBCS officials will keep sharing updates on a regular basis till its release. It is disclosed that people can know more about the new currency on the official website and app.

The dedicated website of Caribbeanguilder.com and the mobile application named My Caribbean Guilder are launched by Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten. It will help to learn about the characteristics of the new currency.