Jamaica
Bank of Jamaica (est. 1961)
Currency - Dollar (JMB)
On 23.07.2012, Bank of Jamaica released a full set of commemorative banknotes celebrating the country's 50th Anniversary of Independence after 300 years of British occupation. Independence was achieved on 06.08.1962. Ten years later, on 15.06.2023, Bank of Jamaica released a new set of polymer banknotes celebrating the country's 60th Year of Independence. Unlike the 2012 series, this series also includes a new denomination of $2,000, and it also retains the lowest denomination of $50 as well. The designs for this new series are completely new, but maintain a portrait of famous Jamaicans as printed on previously issued banknotes, and it also maintained previous designs on the back of the notes too.
As these are commemorative notes, each note is printed with a commemorative logo on the front. Like all polymer notes issued, see-through windows are also incorporated as part of the security features.
Governor - Richard Byles (tenure since 19.08.2019)
Fifty Dollars
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| George William Gordon (b.1820-1865) and Paul Bogle (b.1822-1865) |
Front - George William Gordon (b.1820-1865). During his lifetime, he was a businessman, magistrate and a politician. George William Gordon was the main suspect for the planning of the Morant Bay Rebellion in October 1868, and was arrested and tried for high treason. He was found guilty and was executed on 23.10.1865. Next to him is the portrait of Paul Bogle (b.1822-1865). He was a leader of the 1865 Morant Bay Rebellion and was executed on 24.10.1865. Paul Bogle and George William Gordon's portraits were printed on one of the previous series for $2 and $10 respectively. Both are considered as national heroes of Jamaica.
Dimensions - 146mm x 68.5mm
Back - Doctors Cave beach in Montego Bay located northeast of Jamaica. The beach was originally owned by Dr Alexander James McCathy, and it was used as a refreshing spa. The beach was called Doctors Cave beach because at that time, the access to the beach was via a cave. This beach was donated by Dr. Alexander James McCatty in 1906 and since then it has been opened to the public. The beach has five miles of pure white sand and crystal clear water. The Doctors Cave beach is a popular tourist attraction.
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| Doctors Cave beach in Montego Bay |
One Hundred Dollars
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| Marcus Mosiah Garvey (b.1887-1940) |
Front - Marcus Mosiah Garvey (b.1887-1940), was a politician and the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL).
Dimensions - 146mm x 69mm
Back - Dunn's River Fall is a waterfall located in the jungle central north of Jamaica and is founded on Dunn's River. The falls is believed to be the only waterfall in the world. which forms the mouth of a river, and is 200 meters high. This is a popular attraction to locals and as well as overseas tourists who are looking for a refreshing adventure in Jamaica.
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| Dunn's River Fall |
Five Hundred Dollars
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| Nanny of the Maroons (b.1686-1760) and Sam Sharpe (b.1801-1832) |
Front - Nanny of the Maroons or Queen Nanny or Granny Nanny (b.1686-1760), was a leader of the Jamaican Maroons (anti slavery group of people). During her time, she fought a guerrilla war against the British authorities for anti slavery. She became a symbol of unity and strength for her people during the times of crises and was important to them in the fight with the British during the First Maroon War from 1720-1739. Her portrait was printed on one of the previous $500 series. Sam Sharpe (b.1801-1832) was born into slavery and was a leader of the Baptist War slave rebellion 1831-1832). The rebellion was started on Christmas day in 1831 where the slaves refused to work. The rebellion cost the lives of 14-whites and more than 500 slaves. Sam Sharpe was captured in the rebellion by the British and later executed by hanging on 23.05.1832 at the parade in Montego Bay, which is now renamed Sam Sharpe Square. His portrait was printed in the 2012 series $50 note.
Dimensions - 146mm x 69mm
Back - Port Royal, a town located at the end of the Palisagoes, at the mouth of Kingston Harbour. The town was founded in 1494. and was the most important city in Jamaica in the latter half of the 17th century. This town was a haven for pirates that many had used as their headquarters. Today, this town is a tourist attraction and is famous for its sidewalk fish and bammy restaurants. Printed on the note are a few buildings and above that is an old map of Jamaica.
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| Port Royal |
One Thousand Dollars
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| Sir Alexander Clarke Bustamante (b.1884-1977) and Norman Washington Manley (b.1893-1969) |
Front - Sir Alexander Clarke Bustamante (b.1884-1977) was the first Prime Minister of Jamaica following the independence of Jamaica on 06.08.1962. Prior to that, he was the First Chief Minister from 1953 to 1955. He died at the good old age of 93. Norman Washington Manley (b.1893-1969). He was the Second Chief Minister (leader of a territory government) of Jamaica from 1955 to 1959, and the First Premier (leader of a state government) of Jamaica from 1959 to 1962.
Dimensions - 146mm x 69mm
Back - Jamaica House is the Office of the Prime Minister since 1972. It is also the official residence of the sitting Prime Minister.
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| Jamaica House |
Two Thousand Dollars
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| Michael Norman Manley (b.1924-1997) and Edward Philip George Seaga (b.1930-2019) |
Front - Michael Norman Manley (b.1924-1997) was the fourth Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1972 to 1980, and from 1989 to 1992. A graduate from the London School of Economics, he entered politics in 1952, and later became the President of the People's National Party in 1969. He was the leader of the opposition from 1980 to 1989. Edward Philip George Seaga (b.1930-2019) was the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica, serving from 1980 to 1989. Prior to that, he was the Leader of the Opposition from 1989 to 2005. Edward Philip George Seaga was also the last serving politician to have entered politics life before Jamaica's independence in 1962.
Dimensions - 146mm x 69mm
Back - A photograph of a group of children from Central Branch Primary School taken circa 1968. This same image was previously printed on the back of the 42, which was in circulation between 1969 and 1994 which is now demonetised. This note has a powerful slogan of "Out of many, one people".
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| Group of children from Central Branch Primary School taken circa 1968 |
Five Thousands Dollars
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| Sir Donald Burns Sangster (b.1911- 1967) and Hugh Lawson Shearer (b.1923-2004) |
Front - Sir Donald Burns Sangster (b.1911- 1967) was the second Prime Minister of Jamaica, serving from 23.02.1967 to 11.04.1967. He only served as a Prime Minister for 47 days and only had one cabinet meeting before he died in office due to breeding in his brain. Hugh Lawson Shearer (b.1923-2004) was the third Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1967 to 1972. He first entered politics in 1947 and served as a member of Parliament from 1955 to 1959; and from 1967 to 1993.
Dimensions - 146.5mm x 69mm
Back - A vignette depicting Highway 2000 and the blossoms of the Frangipani (Plumeria rubra). Highway 2000 was built in 2003 and it is 149 kilometers in length. This Highway project was started in 2000 and it connects the capital city of Kingston to the town of Ocho Rios, central north of Jamaica.
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| Highway 2000 |
