The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has unveiled a new series of Eastern Caribbean (EC) banknotes that replace the image of the late Queen Elizabeth II with distinguished national heroes and prominent figures from across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU).

The redesigned banknotes were unveiled by ECCB Governor Timothy Antoine during the Ceremony to Mark the Change in Chairmanship of the ECCB Monetary Council, held at the InterContinental Dominica Cabrits Resort in Dominica.

Describing the launch as a historic milestone, Antoine said the new currency celebrates the people, heritage and achievements of the eight ECCU member countries while reflecting the region’s shared identity, history and accomplishments.

For the first time, the standard EC banknotes will no longer bear the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. Instead, each denomination features two individuals whose contributions helped shape the Eastern Caribbean.

The redesigned notes feature:

• EC$100: Nobel laureate in economics Sir William Arthur Lewis and The Right Honourable Sir John George Melvin Compton.

• EC$50: Former ECCB Governor Sir K. Dwight Venner and The Right Excellent Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw.

• EC$20: The Right Honourable Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Sr and The Honourable Dame Mary Eugenia Charles.

• EC$10: The Most Excellent William Henry Bramble and The Honourable James Ronald Webster.

• EC$5: The Right Honourable Robert Milton Cato and Olympic champion Sir Kirani James.

The redesign follows a decision by the ECCB Monetary Council at its 105th meeting on July 21, 2023, to remove the image of Queen Elizabeth II from the EC currency.

The Council subsequently directed the bank to undertake public consultations, which were held between July and December 2023.

According to the ECCB, the consultations revealed strong public support for featuring national heroes and nation builders on the redesigned banknotes.

The bank said the new series represents an important step in the evolution of the EC dollar, honouring the cultural diversity and enduring legacy of the people who have shaped the Eastern Caribbean while maintaining the security, integrity and trust associated with the currency.

While this is the first time the standard EC banknote series has permanently featured Caribbean heroes in place of Queen Elizabeth II, the ECCB has previously issued commemorative notes celebrating regional milestones.

In 2024, to commemorate Grenada’s 50th anniversary of Independence, the ECCB released a special EC$50 commemorative banknote featuring Olympic gold medallist Sir Kirani James alongside Grenada’s first Prime Minister, Sir Eric Gairy, and former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop.

The year before, the bank marked its 40th anniversary with a commemorative banknote honouring West Indies cricket legend Sir Vivian Richards.

The EC is the common currency of the eight ECCU member territories: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.