The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) launched its new family of EC polymer banknotes on 29 May 2019. The ECCB has issued the $20, $50 and $100 notes to commercial banks operating in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). The $10 is expected to be issued in September/October and the $5 in August/September 2020.
Chairman - ECCB Monetary Council, Dr The Right Honourable Keith Mitchell
Governor - ECCB, Timothy N. J. Antoine
Polymer banknotes are produced from a thin, transparent and flexible plastic film made from polypropylene.
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank decided to change the material on which the EC banknotes are printed from paper to polymer because polymer banknotes are:
CLEANER: Polymer banknotes stay cleaner than paper notes as they are resistant to dirt and moisture.
SAFER: Polymer banknotes can incorporate advanced security features which make them more difficult to counterfeit.
STRONGER: Polymer banknotes last at least two and a half times longer than paper notes. This also makes them more environmentally friendly.
For more information about EC Polymer Notes, check out these videos.