(WINN)—The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) is set to begin phasing out the current EC dollar notes bearing the image of the British monarchy.
Governor Timothy Antoine recently confirmed that a transition will begin sometime next year.
“We are getting closer and closer. The council, as the prime minister said, did make a very important decision to replace the image of the UK or the British monarch with regional figures, as in our heroes.
So that decision has been made. It is going to be a phased approach, and we expect, in all likelihood, that the first set of notes will be revealed and made available in 2027. There may be a big reveal this year in terms of what you should expect.
We are toying with an idea around the 50th anniversary of the peg, which is in July, but we will see. But the actual circulation of the first set of notes with our images and likeness, our people, will start in 2027, and it will be phased over a period of time.”
A formal decision was taken back in 2023 to remove the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II and other monarchical symbols from the Eastern Caribbean dollar.
However, implementation was delayed because the central bank had already invested in printing a new series of Parliament notes featuring the existing design.
“Because what we also said was that because some of our notes are new, we did not want to simply just take them out of circulation. But as they come in and they get retired because they mutilated and so on, then we will introduce the new notes with our regional heroes, our regional images. So that is to come. Stay tuned. Hopefully we’ll have a big reveal later this year, ahead of the actual launch next year.”
Major reports indicate that the redesigned currency could be unveiled as early as July this year, ahead of the phase rollout.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is used by eight member countries within the currency union, and the redesign represents more than just a cosmetic change.
It reflects a broad regional shift towards strengthening Caribbean identity and reducing symbolic ties to the British monarchy.
Several member states have been engaged in ongoing discussions about constitutional reform and deeper expressions of sovereignty, and the currency update is seen as part of that wider movement towards greater self-determination and regional pride.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
Long, long overdue. And about time too!
Mind you, we’ve now dodged a bullet by having the late queen Elizabeth removed from our bank notes; we could have also ended up with the hedonistic Princess Margaret or even worse, Andrew Mountbatten (formerly known as prince Andrew). Phew!
Hopefully now, a prominent list of eminent Caribbeans will now be put forward.
I would love to know what the – ever kowtowing -Commissioner General Rodney Williams thinks about the current royal scandals regarding the released Epstein files?
He now needs to dash way that white “colonial” suit dem always mek him wear…
I think somethings are ignorant. You are removing the monarch ro show you are independent while depending on and joining an organisation of the eastern Caribbean states.
I am never ever comfortable removing a small island from international monitoring and supervision. Antigua and Barbuda shouldn’t separate itself from the monarch at this time.
Dash way the stupid Royal tittles and Crowns in our islands… Who all want their Sir and Dame can get that in UK… We can create our own traditions….
My concern is the durability of the notes. “They” found the worst and probably the cheapest material to use as currency notes.
Fix that first!!
Isn’t the queens image that gives the notes value?
All other Caribbean dollars are small.
Will the EC$ drop in value?
For every action there is normally a reaction.
I dont think this is a good move at this time. This thrust towards becoming a Republic and having president. Please study all likely repercussions. Let’s be wise as s serpent in our dealings. As Lester would say, we do not operate in a vacuum.
@Vernon, what “factuall”;proof do you have that the queens image gives value to our notes?
Do you have any evidence of this that I can revert too please?
I would appreciate your urgency in this matter…
Thanks 👍🏾
IT’S ABOUT TIME!
I’m tired of turning over my notes so I don’t see the face that represents slavery and colonisation.
Comments are closed.