As first announced back in April, the new series banknotes made from durable polymer are now in circulation in Barbados.

The new notes went into circulation on December 5 and covers all denominations — $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

“After more than two years of research and planning, we are extremely proud to be issuing Barbados’ new banknotes.

“Barbadians will find these notes easier to authenticate because the change to polymer has allowed us to incorporate bold, strong security features such as transparent windows and holograms. They will also find that the notes are more durable and will keep looking new for longer,” said Octavia Gibson, director of currency and payments oversight at Barbados Central Bank.

The central bank further advised that although the notes were now in circulation, not everyone would see them immediately.

“We’ve begun to issue the notes to commercial banks and they will make them available to their customers through ATMs and at the counter, but it will likely be a few weeks before everyone gets one in their hand. There’s no need to be concerned if you don’t get some immediately. The older notes remain legal tender, so you can continue to spend them and businesses should continue to accept them,” Gibson said.

The Caribbean country which up to 2020 had approximately 27 million notes in circulation valued at BB$816 million, indicated that despite moving into an era of increased digital currency where there is a desire to have less cash, the intention is not to become entirely cashless.

“Even as more people begin to use digital payments, there will still be a need for cash, so the bank will continue to ensure that it is not only available, but also as secure as possible,” a notice stated.

Polymer which is more waterproof and doesn’t absorb moisture, dirt or grease can be easily wiped off. Said to be more durable than those previously circulated, the new notes are expected to last two to three times longer, resulting in significant cost savings for the bank over the medium to long term.

Polymer banknotes, which have become increasingly popular, have over the last decade saw many countries opting to move away from using the traditional cotton-based “paper” banknotes to ones printed on this plastic substrate.

Outside of Barbados, other territories across the region which have also transitioned to polymer notes include Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the Eastern Caribbean states.

Barbados banknotes were last changed in 2013, but in the wake of increased technology and counterfeiting, the bank has moved to upgrade the notes, in the process incorporating stronger security features.

The new design was unveiled back in May has a vertical rather than horizontal layout, larger portraits, and a cleaner, more modern look. The notes also feature raised marks to assist the visually impaired to differentiate between denominations without having to seek assistance.