2019-05-23 Thu

Jamaica is a Caribbean island nation that has a lush topography of mountains, rainforests and reef-lined beaches. Many of its all-inclusive resorts are clustered in Montego Bay, with its British-colonial architecture, and Negril, known for its diving and snorkeling sites. Jamaica is famed as the birthplace of reggae music, and its capital Kingston is home to the Bob Marley Museum, dedicated to the famous reggae singer.

Previously inhabited by the indigenous Arawak and Taino people, the island came under Spanish rule in 1494. Many of the indigenous people died of disease and the Spanish transplanted African slaves to Jamaica as laborers. The island remained a possession of Spain until 1655 when England (later Great Britain) conquered it and renamed it Jamaica.

Jamaica is a mixed economy with both state enterprises and private sector businesses. Major sectors of the Jamaican economy include agriculture, mining, manufacturing, tourism, petroleum refining, financial and insurance services. The Jamaican pound was the official currency of Jamaica between 1840 and 1969. It circulated as a mixture of British currency and local issues and was always equal to the British pound.

The note depicted here is Jamaican 50 Cents banknote of 1970. The obverse has portrait of Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born political leader, publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator. He was first President-General of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League. The other things that are depictec are the official Coat of Arms and the Coffea coffee plant.

The reverse has Rodney's Memorial depicting Lord Rodney as a Roman Emperor, is located on the northern side of historic Spanish Town Square, Spanish Town Square in Spanish Town, Jamaica. This reddish banknote has a Pineapple as the watermark.

Image Courtesy: nvmvs.com