2019-12-13 Fri

The Bahamas is a coral-based archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean. Its 700-plus islands and cays range from uninhabited to packed with resorts. The northernmost, Grand Bahama, and Paradise Island are home to many large-scale hotels and are among the best known. Scuba diving and snorkeling sites include the massive Andros Barrier Reef, Thunderball Grotto (used in James Bond films) and the black-coral gardens off Bimini.

In terms of per capita GDP, the Bahamas is one of the richest countries in the Americas, with an economy based on tourism and offshore finance. The dollar is the currency of The Bahamas since 1966. It is divided into 100 cents.

In 1966, the government introduced notes in denominations of ½, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars. The Bahamas Monetary Authority took over the issuance of paper money in 1968, issuing the same denominations. The Central Bank of The Bahamas was established on 1 June 1974 and took over note issuance from that point forward.

Today we are looking at a 1 Bahamian dollar banknote issued in 1968. The obverse depicts the portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II to left; Palm tree fronds to centre bottom. The reverse features the marine flora and fauna of the Bahamans. Yellow Elder - national flower of the Bahamas; Sea garden - corals, fish decorate the reverse of the banknote with the official Coat of Arms to right.

This multi-coloured banknote has Shellfish as its watermark.

Image Courtesy: Pinterest