Bahamas: New half dollar banknotes debut as part of CRISP banknote series

The Central Bank of the Bahamas has released (24th January) their fourth banknote which is part of their current family of banknotes and incorporates CRISP technology. In keeping with its launch strategy for the CRISP Evolution (CE) family of banknotes which began in 2016 with the issue of the $10 denomination in 2016, the half dollar denomination was introduced into circulation and is the first complete re-design of this banknote denomination since 1984.

The predominantly grey note includes shades of green, blue, coral, lilac, and red, and measures 156 by 67 millimetres. The face includes a portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II placed to the right half along with the signature of the governor of the Central Bank of The Bahamas. The text Central Bank of The Bahamas is placed below a representation of a map of the Bahamian Islands in the centre of the note. To the left of the Queen’s portrait is the declaration These notes are legal tender under the Central Bank of The Bahamas Act 2000 for payment of any amount Fifty Cents, which is seen in a vertical paragraph. An image of a strongback flower is placed in the centre design of the note.

The back of the notes is designed utilising a vertical arrangement and includes a vignette of Sister Sarah in the straw market. The vignette is flanked above by the numeral $½ that appears in the upper left and lower right corners, while the words Fifty Cents are in the upper right quadrant. Just below the vignette of Sister Sarah is the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas along with the words Central Bank of The Bahamas.

Security features include:

Watermark: The image of Queen Elizabeth II, as seen on the banknote, and numeral $½, are visible when the banknote is held against a light and are located towards the far left when viewed from the front side.

Solid security thread: A thread which appears as a solid line rather than just appearing on the surface of the note in segments, as it is shown on the reverse.

Colour-shifting ink application: On the face of the banknote is a lizard shape that changes colour from metallic gold to green as the note is tilted.

Iridescent print: ­ There is a subtle, lustrous golden band across the back of the note which includes repeating images of the letters CBB, $1/2, and a basket weave pattern.

The Central Bank of the Bahamas has also announced they are preparing for the release of a new version of the $50 banknote in 2019. New versions of the $3 banknotes are also slated for issue in 2019. For additional information about this banknote and others issued by the Central Bank of the Bahamas, please visit their website.

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