JMD – Jamaican Dollar
Monetary System
1840: 1 Jamaican pound = 20 shillings
1969: 1 Jamaican dollar (JMD) = 100 cents
2022 Polymer Issues
Description: 50.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Red. Front: English text; Paul Bogle; coat of arms; George William Gordon; 60th anniversary logo. Back: English text; Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay. Simulated windowed security thread with hummingbird and demetalized 50. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 145 x 68 mm. Polymer (SafeGuard).
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Aqua. Front: English text; Marcus Garvey; coat of arms; 60th anniversary logo. Back: English text; man and woman in Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. Simulated windowed security thread with hummingbird and demetalized 100. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 145 x 68 mm. Polymer (SafeGuard).
Description: 500.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Purple. Front: English text; Nanny of the Maroons; coat of arms; Sam Sharpe; 60th anniversary logo. Back: English text; map of Jamaica; Port Royal buildings. Simulated windowed security thread with hummingbird and demetalized 500. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 145 x 68 mm. Polymer (SafeGuard).
Description: 1,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Blue. Front: English text; Sir Alexander Bustamante; coat of arms; Norman Manley; 60th anniversary logo. Back: English text; Jamaica House building and trees on Hope Road, Kingston. Simulated windowed security thread with hummingbird and demetalized 1000. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 145 x 68 mm. Polymer (SafeGuard).
Description: 2,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Yellow. Front: English text; Michael Manley; coat of arms; Edward Seaga; 60th anniversary logo. Back: English text; 11 children from Central Branch Primary School in Kingston; coat of arms. Simulated windowed security thread with hummingbird and demetalized 2000. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 145 x 68 mm. Polymer (SafeGuard).
Description: 5,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Orange. Front: English text; Donald Sangster; coat of arms; Hugh Shearer; 60th anniversary logo. Back: English text; P J. Patterson Highway (formerly Highway 2000). Simulated windowed security thread with hummingbird and demetalized 5000. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 145 x 68 mm. Polymer (SafeGuard).
2013 – 2020 Issues
These notes are like the preceding regular issue notes on paper substrate, but now printed on Hybrid substrate, and the serial number at right appears in a wave pattern with the last three digits set against a dark background using LOOK (Laser Originated Optical Key), Giesecke & Devrient’s security feature that creates laser-induced effects in the substrate, print color, foil, and varnish.
Description: 50.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Purple, red, and green. Front: English text; parrots in underprint; Samuel Sharpe; morning glory (ipomoea) flowers; coat of arms; periwinkle flowers. Back: English text; periwinkle flowers; Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay. Windowed security thread with demetalized BOJ 50. Watermark: Sam Sharpe with electrotype 50 and parrot. Printer: Giesecke & Devrient. 145 x 68 mm. Composite (Hybrid).
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Brown, green, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Sir Donald Sangster; jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) flowers; map of Jamaica; coat of arms; ackee fruit. Back: English text; ackee fruit; man and woman in Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. Windowed security thread with demetalized BOJ 100. Watermark: Donald Sangster with electrotype 100 and flower. Printer: Giesecke & Devrient. 145 x 68 mm. Composite (Hybrid).
2012 Commemorative Issues
These notes, which commemorate Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee, are like the preceding issues, but with the Jamaica 50 logo superimposed on the watermark on the front of each note. Also, the unique designs on the backs of the preceding issues have been replaced by a common vignette of a group of schoolchildren.
The 100-dollar note, the most widely-used denomination, is printed on Hybrid, a combination of protective polyester film layered around a cotton fibre core. The 50-, 500-, and 1,000-dollar notes are printed on the traditional cotton substrate treated with varnish which creates a moisture-proof layer to protect the banknotes against surface soiling and reduces the extent to which they will absorb moisture, contaminant particles, and microorganisms. The substrate of the 5,000-dollar note remains unchanged as the Optiks security thread is compatible only with the cotton-based material.
Description: 50.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Purple, red, and green. Front: English text; parrots in underprint; Samuel Sharpe; morning glory (ipomoea) flowers; coat of arms; Jamaica 50 logo with red-billed streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) hummingbird, aka Doctor Bird; periwinkle flowers. Back: English text; periwinkle flowers; 11 children from Central Branch Primary School in Kingston. Two security threads; one solid, one windowed with demetalized BOJ 50. Watermark: Sam Sharpe, electrotype 50 and parrot, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Brown, green, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Sir Donald Sangster; jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) flowers; map of Jamaica; coat of arms; Jamaica 50 logo with red-billed streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) hummingbird, aka Doctor Bird; ackee fruit. Back: English text; ackee fruit; 11 children from Central Branch Primary School in Kingston. Two security threads; one solid, one windowed with demetalized BOJ 100. Watermark: Donald Sangster, electrotype 100 and flower, and Cornerstones. Printer: Giesecke & Devrient. 145 x 68 mm. Composite (Hybrid).
Description: 500.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Orange, purple, and green. Front: English text; crocodile with key in underprint; lobster claw flower; Nanny of the Maroons; hibiscus flower; coat of arms; Jamaica 50 logo with red-billed streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) hummingbird, aka Doctor Bird; lobster claw flower. Back: English text; lobster claw flower; pocket watch; 11 children from Central Branch Primary School in Kingston; lobster claw flower. Two security threads; one solid, one windowed with demetalized BOJ 500. Watermark: Nanny of the Maroons, electrotype 500 and crocodile,and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 1,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Blue and green. Front: English text; butterfly as registration devices; Michael Norman Manley; coat of arms; Jamaica 50 logo with red-billed streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) hummingbird, aka Doctor Bird; giant swallow-tailed butterfly (Papilio homerus fabricius). Back: English text; butterflies; 11 children from Central Branch Primary School in Kingston. Two security threads; one solid, one red-to-green windowed with demetalized BOJ 1000. Watermark: Michael Manley, electrotype 1000 and butterfly,and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 5,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Brown, yellow, purple, and green. Front: English text; Prime Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer; coat of arms; Jamaican nightingale (minus polyglotto) bird; Jamaica 50 logo with red-billed streamertail (Trochilus polytmus) hummingbird, aka Doctor Bird; frangipani flower blossoms. Back: English text; 11 children from Central Branch Primary School in Kingston; frangipani flower (plumeria rubra) blossoms. Two security threads; one solid, one Optiks. Watermark: Hugh Lawson Shearer, electrotype 5000, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
2010 Commemorative Issues
This new 50-dollar note commemorates the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Bank of Jamaica. It is like the preceding issue, but with an overprint on the watermark area on the front, and a new design on back featuring the bank’s headquarters.
Description: 50.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Multicolored. Front: English text; parrots in underprint; Samuel Sharpe; morning glory flowers; coat of arms; 50th anniversary and 1960-2010 overprint; flowers. Back: English text; morning glory flowers; Bank of Jamaica headquarters building at Nethersole Place. Two security threads; one solid, one windowed with demetalized BOJ 50. Watermark: Samuel Sharpe, electrotype 50 and parrot, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
2005 – 2020 Issues
As of 2005, the hummingbird watermark has been replaced by the portrait on the note, as well as an unique electrotype in addition to the denomination. On the 500- and 1,000-dollar notes, the security thread is wider with demetalized text.
Description: 50.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Purple, red, and green. Front: English text; parrots in underprint; Samuel Sharpe; morning glory (ipomoea) flowers; coat of arms; periwinkle flowers. Back: English text; periwinkle flowers; Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay. Two security threads; one solid, one windowed with demetalized BOJ 50. Watermark: Sam Sharpe, electrotype 50 and parrot, and Cornerstones. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Brown, green, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Sir Donald Sangster; jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) flowers; map of Jamaica; coat of arms; ackee fruit. Back: English text; ackee fruit; man and woman in Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. Two security threads; one solid, one windowed with demetalized BOJ 100. Watermark: Donald Sangster, electrotype 100 and flower, and Cornerstones. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 500.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Orange, purple, and green. Front: English text; crocodile with key in underprint; lobster claw flower; Nanny of the Maroons; hibiscus flower; coat of arms; lobster claw flower. Back: English text; lobster claw flower; pocket watch; map of Jamaica; Port Royal buildings; lobster claw flower. Two security threads; one solid, one windowed with demetalized BOJ 500. Watermark: Nanny of the Maroons, electrotype 500 and crocodile,and Cornerstones. Printer: Varieties. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 1,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Blue and green. Front: English text; butterfly as registration devices; Michael Norman Manley; coat of arms; giant swallow-tailed butterfly (Papilio homerus fabricius). Back: English text; butterflies; Jamaica House building and trees on Hope Road, Kingston. Two security threads; one solid, one red-to-green windowed with demetalized BOJ 1000. Watermark: Michael Manley, electrotype 1000 and butterfly,and Cornerstones. Printer: Varieties. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 5,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
Brown, yellow, purple, and green. Front: English text; Prime Minister Hugh Lawson Shearer; coat of arms; Jamaican nightingale (minus polyglotto) bird; frangipani flower blossoms. Back: English text; Highway 2000; frangipani flower (plumeria rubra) blossoms. Two security threads; one solid, one Optiks. Watermark: Hugh Lawson Shearer, electrotype 5000, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Money Museum
The Bank of Jamaica has a free Money Museum at Nethersole Place on Kingston’s waterfront.
2000 – 2004 Issues
In March 1999, the 10-dollar note was replaced by a coin. In 2000, the 20-dollar note was replaced by a coin, a new 1,000-dollar note was issued, and the security of the 50- and 100-dollar notes was enhanced with a wide, windowed security thread and new watermark. In 2002, the bank completed the final phase of its banknote upgrading program when a new edition of the 500-dollar banknote was put into circulation. This edition harmonizes the features of the 500-dollar note with those of the other denominations. Consequently, all denominations now have a hummingbird and star motif as the watermark instead of a pineapple. The notes also feature a 2-mm wide windowed security thread which identifies the denomination and glows blue/gold under ultraviolet light.
Description: 50.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Purple, red, and green. Front: English text; parrots in underprint; Samuel Sharpe; morning glory (ipomoea) flowers; coat of arms; periwinkle flowers. Back: English text; periwinkle flowers; Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay. 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized BOJ 50. Watermark: Red-billed streamertail hummingbird (Doctor Bird) and electrotype star. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Brown, green, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Sir Donald Sangster; jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) flowers; map of Jamaica; coat of arms; ackee fruit. Back: English text; ackee fruit; man and woman in Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized BOJ 100. Watermark: Red-billed streamertail hummingbird (Doctor Bird) and electrotype star. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 500.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Orange, purple, and green. Front: English text; crocodile with key in underprint; lobster claw flower; Nanny of the Maroons; hibiscus flower; coat of arms; lobster claw flower. Back: English text; lobster claw flower; pocket watch; map of Jamaica; Port Royal buildings; lobster claw flower. 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized BOJ 500. Watermark: Red-billed streamertail hummingbird (Doctor Bird) and electrotype star. Printer: DE LA RUE. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 1,000.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Blue and green. Front: English text; butterfly as registration devices; Michael Norman Manley; coat of arms; giant swallow-tailed butterfly (Papilio homerus fabricius). Back: English text; butterflies; Jamaica House building and trees on Hope Road, Kingston. Windowed security thread with demetalized BOJ 1000. Watermark: Red-billed streamertail hummingbird (Doctor Bird) and electrotype star. Printer: Varieties. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
1994 – 1999 Issues
In June 1994, the 5-dollar note was replaced by a coin, a new 500-dollar note was introduced featuring a windowed thread and novel serial numbering. The 100-dollar note was similarly upgraded.
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Brown, green, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Sir Donald Sangster; jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) flowers; map of Jamaica; coat of arms; ackee fruit. Back: English text; ackee fruit; man and woman in Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Pineapple. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 500.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Orange, purple, and green. Front: English text; crocodile with key in underprint; lobster claw flower; Nanny of the Maroons; hibiscus flower; coat of arms; lobster claw flower. Back: English text; lobster claw flower; pocket watch; map of Jamaica; Port Royal buildings; lobster claw flower. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Nanny of the Maroons. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
1986 – 1999 Issues
Continued inflation in the 1980s required the Bank of Jamaica to issue higher denomination notes.
Description: 50.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Purple, red, and green. Front: English text; parrots in underprint; Samuel Sharpe; morning glory (ipomoea) flowers; coat of arms; periwinkle flowers. Back: English text; periwinkle flowers; Doctor’s Cave Beach in Montego Bay. Solid security thread with printed JAMAICA. Watermark: Pineapple. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Brown, green, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Sir Donald Sangster; jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) flowers; map of Jamaica; coat of arms; ackee fruit. Back: English text; ackee fruit; man and woman in Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. Solid security thread with printed JAMAICA. Watermark: Pineapple. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Description: 100.00 JMD – Jamaican Dollar Size: 145 x 68 mm
CAUTION!!!
These notes are out of circulation.
WE DO NOT BUY THESE NOTES.
Brown, green, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Sir Donald Sangster; jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) flowers; map of Jamaica; coat of arms; ackee fruit. Back: English text; ackee fruit; man and woman in Dunn’s River Falls near Ocho Rios. Solid security thread with printed JAMAICA. Watermark: Pineapple. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 145 x 68 mm. Paper.
Like preceding issues, but more colorful, map on front without underprinting, and silver metallic printing at lower corners on back.
