Bermuda’s $5 bill has earned the International Bank Note Society’s ‘Bank Note of the Year Award,’ with the organization noting that “almost from the onset of voting the Bermuda $5 note was the overwhelming favorite.”
The organization said, “The International Bank Note Society [IBNS] announces that its voting membership has for the second time selected the Bermuda Monetary Authority to receive its annual prestigious “Bank Note of the Year Award” for 2024.
“With almost 100 new banknotes released worldwide during 2024, only 21 were deemed of sufficiently new design to be member nominated. Almost from the onset of voting the Bermuda $5 note was the overwhelming favorite.
“The Bermuda Monetary Authority [BMA] ‘Oscar winning banknote’ was printed by De La Rue on polymer substrate [Safeguard]. The front of this predominantly pink note with purple highlights features a blue marlin, dolphins and tuna fish as well as a profile of new monarch King Charles III. The back of the vertically designed note combines butterflies, flora, Horseshoe Bay, and a boat passing beneath Somerset Bridge.
“The note was issued as part of the BMA’s ‘Same look, Smarter design’ campaign which emphasized the increasing durability and security of Bermuda’s currency. Although there is no watermark or security thread, other advanced security features include an Argentum tuna fish and enhanced Gemini patterns visible under UV light. The tactile markings help the visually impaired to easily identify the note which is signed by Donald Scott [as Chairman] and Karel Van Hulle [as Director].”
The first runner-up was Japan’s 1,000 Yen note, the second runner-up was China’s 20 Yuan note and rounding out the top five vote getters were Philippines 500 Piso note, and England’s 50 Pound note.
