Eastern Caribbean Unveils Historic New Money Honouring Regional Heroes

The Eastern Caribbean has entered a new chapter in its monetary history with the official unveiling of a completely redesigned family of EC banknotes and coins, replacing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II with Caribbean nation builders, scholars and icons in a landmark move celebrating regional identity.

The historic announcement came on Thursday during the official handover of the Chairmanship of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), as Dominica’s Minister for Finance, Honourable Dr. Irving McIntyre, assumed leadership from Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Honourable Gaston Browne. The ceremony also coincided with the 50th anniversary of the Eastern Caribbean dollar’s fixed exchange rate of EC$2.70 to US$1.00.

Developed following extensive public consultation, the new currency reflects a deliberate shift toward celebrating the people who have shaped the Eastern Caribbean’s history and development. ECCB Governor Timothy N.J. Antoine said the redesign was driven directly by the citizens of the Currency Union.

“Recognising that the currency belongs to the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, the Monetary Council invited the public, through the Central Bank, to help shape this new chapter in our shared history,” Antoine said.

“The response was clear and compelling. The people called for our currency to honour our own heroes, nation builders and persons whose lives and achievements have enriched our countries and strengthened our region.”

Saint Lucia features prominently in the new currency series. Nobel Prize-winning economist Sir William Arthur Lewis and the island’s first Prime Minister, Sir John Compton, appear on the EC$100 note, while former ECCB Governor Sir K. Dwight Venner is honoured on the EC$50 bill. The EC$5 note recognises Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ first Prime Minister Sir Robert Milton Cato alongside Grenadian Olympic champion Sir Kirani James.

The redesign also extends to EC coins, which will now display the new ECCU logo featuring the Central Bank’s emblem surrounded by the flags of the eight member states, replacing the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II for the first time.

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