This is a 200 lempiras released on 20.01.2026. The planning and printing of this note was first announced on 23.08.2023. A total of 20 million pieces were printed by Crane Currency in Malta. On 12.03.2026, the government of Honduras instructed all banks to cease distributing this note to the public for circulation. This note barely lasted 51 days and for those notes that have been released since January 2026 are still legal tender and no doubt any circulated notes returned back to the bank will not be reissued to the public again. Initially I had no intention to get this note until I saw this news.
This note was issued to honor Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores, a leader in the field of Ecology. This is also the first time a female portrait is featured on a Honduras banknote, even though it did not last that long. This note should be treated as a commemorative note and as such I have also posted this same note to my Commemorative Banknotes section.
I believe this is how the story goes: -
2022 - the governing party in Honduras was the Liberty and Refoundation Party (left-wing party) headed by President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, the first female president of Honduras. Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento took office on 27.01.2022 and her single term ended on 27.01.2026.
2023 - The intention of issuing this note was announced on 23.08.2023 by the central bank.
2026 - This note was officially released on 20.01.2026. The President of Honduras is elected by a simple majority vote to serve a single four-year term. The term begins on January 27th following the election and the country's constitution prohibits reelection.
2026 - On 27.01.2026, Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah became the President of Honduras and he is from the National Party of Honduras. The National Party of Honduras is a right-wing party. It is believed that because of Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores's activities during her lifetime, the current right-wing Honduras government is not a fan of what she did then and decided to cease issuing this note, thus the withdrawal was made on 12.03.2026.
It is not sure what will happen to the rest of the unissued banknotes. Will they just leave them in the bank's vaults for storage or just simply destroy them all. if that happens, it would be a waste! What I do not understand is that the announcement for printing this note was made in April 2024, and only released a few days before the previous President's term ended. Why is it taking so long? What's the delay?
If you enjoy collecting banknotes that specifically come with an interesting story, like me, then this is one note you should be getting. This note is not rare and there are plenty to offer at the moment. All you have to do is to look for one that offers you the best price.
Two Hundred Lempiras
Front - The front of the note depicts a portrait of Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores (b.1971-2016). Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores was an environmental activist and indigenous leader. She belonged to the Lenca indigenous people. In Honduras, the Lenca are the largest tribal group, with an estimated population of more than 450,000. During her lifetime, she defended many local native habitats, stopped the building of a dam at Rio Gualcarque. For many years, she received numerous threats against her life and on 02.03.2016, she was shot by two armed intruders at her home and died the following day. It is believed that her assassination was carried out by right-wing groups and possibly with foreign aid or assistance who were against her environmental activities. Several people were arrested after assassination, some of them were linked to the US-trained elite military troops and had trained in the USA. In November 2018, seven people were found guilty and sentenced to prison for her murder.
Date - 9 De Noviembre De 2023 (released on 20.01.2026)
Quantity - 20,000,000 pieces
Watermark - Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores and electrotype BCH
Sizes - 156mm x 67mm
Back - An aerial view of La Esperanza, a city located on the western side of Honduras. This city is about 3 hours and 30 minutes drive from the capital city of Tegucigalpa. This is also the city where Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores was born (home town). On the back, the note is also printed with the following text in Spanish: -
To the center right is the Coat of Arms of Honduras.
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