...Guyana - $2000 Commemorative Polymer Banknote 55th Year Of Independence

 Cooperative Republic Of Guyana

Bank of Guyana

Currency - Dollar (GYD)

 

In 2016, the Bank of Guyana released a $50 commemorative banknote celebrating the country's 50th year of independence from the British (1966-2016). Independence day is celebrated on the 26th of May. Guyana was first colonised by the Dutch until 1814 and then came the British until 1966.

 

In 2022, the Bank of Guyana released a $2,000 commemorative banknote to commemorate the country's 55th year of independence. The 55th Anniversary celebration was supposed to be in 2021, however due to the pandemic, the release was delayed until early 2022. This note was launched on 12.02.2022. However, two commemorative coins of $100 and $10000 were issued in 2021 to celebrate this special occasion.

 

This is the first time that a denomination of $2000 is issued in the country, but not the largest. In 2013, the Bank of Guyana released a normal circulating note of $5,000. This is also the second time a commemorative banknote has been issued since its independence.

Guyana has a rather small population of just under 750,000, and is a relatively poor country with almost half the working forces earning less than US$6 a day. The country has a long history of territory disputes with their neighbour, Venezuela. Venezuela claims about 74% of the land of Guyana on the western side of Guyana.. This dispute started between their former colonial masters well before their independence. The disputing parties were the Spanish for Venezuela and the Netherlands and then the British for Guyana. The Spanish called the disputed land as Guayana Esequiba (or Territorio del Esequibo). Venezuela called the disputed land as Zona en Reclamacion (Zone in Reclamation). Whilst agreements were signed by both parties to resolve this in a peaceful manner, this matter is still not resolved as of today, and I do not believe this will ever resolve unless Venezuela agrees to give up the claim. Needless to say, the Government of Guyana will not agree to the claim, and if they do, it will reduce the country by two thirds of its current size.

 

This note is printed on polymer substrate and this is also the first time a polymer note is issued.

 

Two Thousand Dollars 

Flag of Guyana, bank's logo and map

Front - On the front, it depicts President Irfan Ali's 'One Guyana' agenda. Flag of Guyana in the background, Wai-Wai pattern as a show of respect for the country's indigenous heritage. Other features depicted on the notes are the map of Guyana with its natural resources, the Bank of Guyana's logo and  Guyana's national animal - the Jaguar (transparent window). The label of Guyana's 55th Independence Anniversary - is also printed on the note;

Signatures

Governor - Dr Gobind Ganga (since November 2014)

Vice President of Guyana - Bharrat Jagdeo (since 02.08.2020)

Dimensions - 156mm x 65mm

Back - Six children of different ethnic groups representing many races but only one Guyanese. This is clearly the country is promoting harmony among its own people of all difference races. The first time I saw such a theme or design was the Jamaican $2 commemorative note issued in 1973, and more recently the Fijian $50 commemorative note issued in 2020.

Six children of different ethnic groups