BBD – Barbados Dollar

Monetary System

1915: 1 Barbadian pound = 20 shillings
1935: 1 Barbadian dollar (BBD) = 100 cents

2022 Polymer Issues

On 4 May 2022, the Central Bank of Barbados unveiled a “new-look” family of polymer banknotes to be introduced on 5 December 2022. These notes are like the preceding issues, but printed on polymer in vertical orientation. These notes have prefixes that resume where the preceding issues end.

Description: 2.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 65 x 150 mm

Blue. Front (vertical): English text; coat of arms; John Redman Bovell; trident. Back (vertical): English text; Morgan Lewis Windmill in Saint Andrew. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 65 x 150 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 5.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 65 x 150 mm

Green. Front (vertical): English text; coat of arms; Frank Worrell; trident. Back (vertical): English text; 3Ws Oval cricket facility at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 65 x 150 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 10.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 55 x 150 mm

Brown. Front (vertical): English text; coat of arms; Charles Duncan O’Neal; trident. Back (vertical): English text; Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge over the Careenage in Bridgetown. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 65 x 150 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 20.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 65 x 150 mm

Purple. Front (vertical): English text; coat of arms; Samuel Jackman Prescod; trident. Back (vertical): English text; Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 65 x 150 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 50.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 65 x 150 mm

Orange. Front (vertical): English text; coat of arms; Errol Barrow; trident. Back (vertical): English text; Independence Square with statue of Errol Barrow in Bridgetown. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 65 x 150 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 100.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 65 x 150 mm

Brown, purple, and gray. Front (vertical): English text; Grantley Adams; trident. Back (vertical): English text; Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Christ Church. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: DE LA RUE. 65 x 150 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

2013 – 2018 Issues

On 2 May 2013, the Central Bank of Barbados issued redesigned banknotes for the first time in 40 years. The size and basic colors remain the same as the preceding issues, as do the people portrayed on the front of each note. However, the common designs of the backs have been changed to new vignettes linked to the person featured on the front.
Furthermore, to help the visually impaired differentiate between denominations, tactile marks have been included on the new banknotes. The number of marks increases by one as the value of the note increases, from one dot for the 2-dollar note to six dots for the 100-dollar note.
In addition to the revamped designs, the new series has both upgraded and new security features.

Description: 2.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Blue. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; map of Barbados; John Redman Bovell. Back: English text; Morgan Lewis Windmill in St. Andrew; trident. Windowed security thread with negative demetalized CBB $2. Watermark: John Redman Bovell and electrotype 2. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 5.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Green. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; map of Barbados; Frank Worrell. Back: English text; 3Ws Oval cricket facility at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus; trident. Windowed security thread with negative demetalized CBB $5. Watermark: Frank Worrell and electrotype 5. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Brown. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; map of Barbados; Charles Duncan O’Neal. Back: English text; Charles Duncan O’Neal Bridge over the Careenage in Bridgetown; trident. Windowed security thread with negative demetalized CBB $10. Watermark: Charles Duncan O’Neal and electrotype 10. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Purple. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Samuel Jackman Prescod. Back: English text; Parliament Buildings in Bridgetown; trident. Red-to-green color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $20. Watermark: Samuel Jackman Prescod and electrotype 20. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Orange. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; Errol Barrow; hologram patch with pelican, Pride of Barbados flowers, broken tridents, and 50. Back: English text; Independence Square with statue of Errol Barrow in Bridgetown; trident. Red-to-green color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $50. Watermark: Errol Barrow and electrotype 50. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Brown, purple, and gray. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Grantley Adams; hologram patch with dolphin, Pride of Barbados flowers, broken tridents, and 100. Back: English text; Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Christ Church; trident. Red-to-green color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $100. Watermark: Grantley Adams and electrotype 100. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

2016 Commemorative Issues

1,500,000 notes were issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of independence of Barbados.

Description: 50.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Orange. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; Errol Barrow; hologram patch with pelican, Pride of Barbados flowers, broken tridents, and 50; Barbados 50 anniversary logo. Back: English text; Independence Square with statue of Errol Barrow in Bridgetown; trident. Red-to-green color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $50. Watermark: Errol Barrow and electrotype 50. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Central Bank of Barbados

Prior to 1972, the East Caribbean Currency Authority (ECCA) was the institution responsible for the management of monetary matters for most of the smaller Eastern Caribbean countries, including Barbados. However, the ECCA did not regulate financial institutions, and since it held responsibility for a number of territories, there was no guarantee that ECCA’s policies would be acceptable, or appropriate to each jurisdiction. This paved the way for the establishment of the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB) in May 1972.
For more information, visit www.centralbank.org.bb.

Outmoded Notes

2012 Commemorative Issues

Three million of these 20-dollar notes were issued to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Central Bank of Barbados.

Description: 20.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Purple. Front: English text; pelican as registration device; 40 years anniversary logo; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Samuel Jackman Prescod. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; pelican. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $20. Watermark: Map, electrotype Pride of Barbados flower, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

2007 – 2012 Issues

As of 20 August 2007, the Central Bank of Barbados began issuing a new series with improved security, plus printed dates for the first time ever. A trident (2, 5, and 10 dollars) or Pride of Barbados flower (20, 50, and 100 dollars) has been added as an electrotype watermark, and all denominations have Cornerstone watermarks to strengthen the paper. The intaglio printed large numeral at upper left front is now more raised for the visually impaired. The denominations under 20 dollars have a windowed security thread with wavy edges instead of straight edges as on the higher denominations, all of which have wider threads than on preceding issues.

Description: 2.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Blue. Front: English text; windmill as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; John Redman Bovell. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; windmill. Windowed security thread with negative demetalized CBB $2. Watermark: Map, electrotype trident, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 5.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Green. Front: English text; cricket wicket as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Frank Worrell. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; cricket wicket. Windowed security thread with negative demetalized CBB $5. Watermark: Map, electrotype trident, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Brown. Front: English text; dolphin as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Charles Duncan O’Neal. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; dolphin. Windowed security thread with negative demetalized CBB $10. Watermark: Map, electrotype trident, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Purple. Front: English text; pelican as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Samuel Jackman Prescod. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; pelican. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $20. Watermark: Map, electrotype Pride of Barbados flower, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Orange. Front: English text; trident as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Errol Barrow; blue foil pelican. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; trident. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $50. Watermark: Map, electrotype Pride of Barbados flower, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Brown, purple, and gray. Front: English text; dolphin as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Grantley Adams; gold foil dolphin. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; dolphin. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $100. Watermark: Map, electrotype Pride of Barbados flower, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

2002 Numismatic Products

This 5-dollar note bears an overprint To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Central Bank of Barbados over the watermark area at left front, as well as a large gold foil 30 at center front. Reportedly 1,000 notes were issued in folders to bank employees only.

Description: 5.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Green. Front: English text; cricket wicket as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Frank Worrell. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; cricket wicket. Solid security thread. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

1997 Commemorative Issues

This 100-dollar note bears an overprint To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Central Bank of Barbados.

Description: 100.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Brown, purple, and gray. Front: English text; dolphin as registration device; commemorative overprint; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Grantley Adams; gold foil dolphin. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; dolphin. Windowed security thread with demetalized CCB $100. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

1997 – 2006 Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but they have large denomination numerals on a clear background in upper left on front.

Description: 2.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Blue. Front: English text; denomination on clear background at upper left; windmill as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; John Redman Bovell. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; windmill. Solid security thread. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 2.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Description: 5.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Green. Front: English text; denomination on clear background at upper left; cricket wicket as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Frank Worrell. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; cricket wicket. Solid security thread. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Brown. Front: English text; denomination on clear background at upper left; dolphin as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Charles Duncan O’Neal. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; dolphin. Solid security thread. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Purple. Front: English text; denomination on clear background at upper left; pelican as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Samuel Jackman Prescod. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; pelican. Security thread varieties. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Orange. Front: English text; denomination on clear background at upper left; trident as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Errol Barrow; blue foil pelican. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; trident. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $50. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm

Brown, purple, and gray. Front: English text; denomination on clear background at upper left; dolphin as registration device; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Grantley Adams; gold foil dolphin. Back: English text; House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; dolphin. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $100. Watermark: Map. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 BBD – Barbados Dollar Size: 150 x 65 mm