TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar

Currency Issuer

Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT)

Monetary System

1898: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar = 4 shillings 2 pence
1935: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar = 1 British W. Indies dollar
1951: British Caribbean Territories dollar
1964: 1 Trinidad and Tobago dollar (TTD) = 100 cents

2019 – 2020 Polymer Issues

On 9 December 2019, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago introduced a new 100-dollar note on polymer substrate with significantly enhanced security. The polymer 100-dollar notes replaced the preceding paper notes, which lost their legal tender status on 31 December 2019.
On 21 February 2020, the bank unveiled concept designs for the other denominations in this new polymer series, with some denominations to be introduced in September 2020. These polymer notes will circulate in parallel with the preceding paper notes until the end of 2021.

Description: 1.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Information: Currently we do not buy the “1” TTD notes

Red. Front: English text; two scarlet ibis birds; coat of arms. Back: English text; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; Red House (Parliament building). Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO / ONE. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 5.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Green, blue, purple, and orange. Front: English text; Mot mot bird on branch; coat of arms; flag. Back: English text; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; woman buying bananas from man at produce market. Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO / FIVE. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 10.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Gray, black, green, and brown. Front: English text; Cocorico bird on branch; coat of arms; flag. Back: English text; Cocorico; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; gantry crane unloading containers off ship in port. Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO / TEN. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 20.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Purple, crimson, and blue. Front: English text; hummingbird drinking nectar from flower; coat of arms; flag. Back: English text; hummingbird; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; three steel drum musical instruments; hummingbird. Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO / TWENTY. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 50.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Gold. Front: English text; Red-capped cardinal bird on branch; coat of arms; flag. Back: English text; Red-capped cardinal; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; dancers. Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO / FIFTY. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

Description: 100.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Blue, red, black, purple, and brown. Front: English text; bird of paradise on branch; coat of arms; flag. Back: English text; bird of paradise; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; BP Trinidad & Tobago’s Juniper off-shore oil platform. Simulated windowed security thread with demetalized TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO / ONE HUNDRED. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Polymer (Safeguard).

2015 Issues

This note is like the preceding issue (B234a), but without novel serial numbering or the commemorative text at upper center front, and with the addition of a circle of embossed dots at lower right front, and a red banner across the tail of the bird on front.

Description: 50.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 152 x 70 mm

Gold, brown, purple, red, and green. Front: English text; coat of arms; red hibiscus flower; hibiscus in gold-green SPARK Orbital; red-capped cardinal bird in flight. Back: English text; Red-capped cardinal in flight; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; female masquerader in Carnival costume. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 152 x 70 mm. Polymer.

2014 Issues

According to the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, this redesigned 50-dollar note printed on polymer substrate reflects “the beauty of our people and the diversity off our flora.” It replaces the preceding 50-dollar paper note issued in 2012, which failed to gain public acceptance because it was similar in color to other denominations and the misperception that it was a commemorative note. Both notes will circulate in parallel, though the paper notes will be slowly withdrawn as they are returned to the central bank. If the polymer note is warmly received, the bank intends to issue other denominations on polymer substrate in the future.

Description: 50.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 152 x 70 mm

Gold, brown, purple, red, and green. Front: English text; coat of arms; red hibiscus flower; hibiscus in gold-green SPARK Orbital; red-capped cardinal bird in flight. Back: English text; Red-capped cardinal in flight; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; female masquerader in Carnival costume. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (De La Rue). 152 x 70 mm. Polymer.
This note was honored as the IBNS Bank Note of the Year 2014.

Government of Trinidad and Tobago

In 1904, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GOV) passed the Currency Notes Ordinance, establishing the Board of Commissioners of Currency with the right to issue banknotes in denominations of 1, 2, and 1,000 dollars, in exchange for gold or silver coins previously issued.

Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago

Trinidad and Tobago became independent on 31 August 1962 and as such became solely responsible for its economic development and other national objectives. Thus, the existing central monetary authority, the British Caribbean Currency Board, could not provide the government with the monetary instruments necessary to implement the economic policies being undertaken since it was not structured to serve an independent country.
The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) was established in December 1964 under the provisions of the Central Bank Act 1964. Act No. 23 of 1964 gave the Central Bank “the sole right to issue notes and coins in Trinidad and Tobago.” The Central Bank’s first act was to issue new designs of currency on 14 December 1964 just two days after the proclamation of the Central Bank Act.
For more information, visit www.central-bank.org.tt.

Money Museum

The Central Bank Money Museum opened at the bank’s Independence Square headquarters in Port of Spain on 3 December 2004 to celebrate the bank’s 40th anniversary. It is open to the public Tuesdays to Fridays from 10 am to 2 pm.

Out of Circulation Notes

2006 (2012 – 2017) Issues

The 50-dollar note is identical to the commemorative (B227), but without the red overprint text around the coat of arms. This was the first note issued in a new family revised by the addition of raised horizontal bars at upper left and right front to assist the visually impaired distinguish between denominations.

Description: 5.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Green and blue. Front: English text; Mot mot bird on branch; coat of arms; mot mot as registration device. Back: English text; Mot mot; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; three women at produce market with wicker baskets. 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT5. Watermark: Mot mot bird, electrotype TT5, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Gray and yellow. Front: English text; Cocorico bird on branch; coat of arms; cocorico as registration device. Back: English text; Cocorico; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; gantry crane unloading containers off ship in port. 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT10. Watermark: Cocorico bird, electrotype 10, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Purple and green. Front: English text; hummingbird drinking nectar from flower; coat of arms; hummingbird as registration device; gold foil hibiscus flower. Back: English text; hummingbird; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; five steel drum musical instruments. 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT20. Watermark: Hummingbird, electrotype 20, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Gold and olive green. Front: English text; Red-capped cardinal bird on branch; coat of arms; red-capped cardinal as registration device; Depth Image holographic patch. Back: English text; Red-capped cardinal; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; Red House (Parliament building). 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT50. Watermark: Red-capped cardinal, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Blue and brown. Front: English text; bird of paradise on branch; coat of arms; bird of paradise as registration device; silver shield hologram. Back: English text; bird of paradise; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; off-shore oil platform. 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT100. Watermark: Bird of paradise, electrotype 100, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

2012 Commemorative Issues

On 20 June 2012, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago unveiled this 50-dollar note commemorating the nation’s 50th independence anniversary. “A limited number of notes” carry the following red text around the coat of arms at center front: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1962-2012. The commemorative notes with overprint and regular issue notes without overprint are both legal tender, and entered circulation at face value in July 2012.

Description: 50.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Gold and olive green. Front: English text; Red-capped cardinal bird on branch; red CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1962-2012 around coat of arms; red-capped cardinal as registration device; Depth Image holographic patch. Back: English text; Red-capped cardinal; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; Red House (Parliament building). 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT50.Watermark: Red-capped cardinal, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

2009 Commemorative Issues

This 100-dollar note commemorates the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that was held 27-29 November 2009 in the capital, Port of Spain.

Description: 100.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Blue and brown. Front: English text; bird of paradise on branch; brown 60 YEARS OF THE COMMONWEALTH 1949-2009 around coat of arms; bird of paradise as registration device; silver shield hologram; CHOGM logo. Back: English text; CHOGM logo; city buildings; bird of paradise; Port-of-Spain International Waterfront Centre; Carnival sun; off-shore oil platform. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT100. Watermark: Bird of paradise, electrotype 100, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

2006 Issues

In 2007, the bank upgraded all denominations with new security features. Instead of using the bird of paradise as the watermark on all notes, the watermarks match the birds printed on the individual notes, with the addition of Cornerstones and electrotype elements that indicate the denomination. In addition, the color of the vertical serial number at right is now blue, not red.

Description: 5.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Green and blue. Front: English text; Mot mot bird on branch; coat of arms; mot mot as registration device. Back: English text; Mot mot; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; three women at produce market with wicker baskets. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT5. Watermark: Mot mot bird, electrotype TT5, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Gray and yellow. Front: English text; Cocorico bird on branch; coat of arms; cocorico as registration device. Back: English text; Cocorico; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; gantry crane unloading containers off ship in port. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT10. Watermark: Cocorico bird, electrotype 10, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Purple and green. Front: English text; hummingbird drinking nectar from flower; coat of arms; hummingbird as registration device; gold foil hibiscus flower. Back: English text; hummingbird; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; five steel drum musical instruments. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT20. Watermark: Hummingbird, electrotype 20, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Blue and brown. Front: English text; bird of paradise on branch; coat of arms; bird of paradise as registration device; silver shield hologram. Back: English text; bird of paradise; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; off-shore oil platform. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT100. Watermark: Bird of paradise, electrotype 100, and Cornerstones. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

2002 Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but with design changes to accommodate enhanced security, including full-bleed colors, 2-mm wide windowed security threads, registration devices, large textured numerals, gold iridescent bands, and novel serial numbering with the vertical numbers printed in red. Notes with signature 7 use prefixes that continue from the preceding issues, but when signature 8 was adopted, the prefixes reverted back to AA.

Description: 5.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Green and blue. Front: English text; Mot mot bird on branch; coat of arms; mot mot as registration device. Back: English text; Mot mot; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; three women at produce market with wicker baskets. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT5. Watermark: Bird of paradise and electrotype T&T. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Gray and yellow. Front: English text; Cocorico bird on branch; coat of arms; cocorico as registration device. Back: English text; Cocorico; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; gantry crane unloading containers off ship in port. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT10. Watermark: Bird of paradise and electrotype T&T. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Purple and green. Front: English text; hummingbird drinking nectar from flower; coat of arms; hummingbird as registration device; gold foil hibiscus flower. Back: English text; hummingbird; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; five steel drum musical instruments. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT20. Watermark: Bird of paradise and electrotype T&T. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 156 x 66 mm

Blue and brown. Front: English text; bird of paradise on branch; coat of arms; bird of paradise as registration device; silver shield hologram. Back: English text; bird of paradise; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; off-shore oil platform. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT100. Watermark: Bird of paradise and electrotype T&T. Printer: (De La Rue). 156 x 66 mm. Paper.

1985 Issues

These notes are like the preceding issue, but they now are issued in accordance with the Central Bank Act Chap. 79:02. Additional colors are employed to make counterfeiting more difficult. The designs on back have been revised with the new Central Bank high-rise building (part of the Eric Williams Financial Complex) and updated vignettes no longer enclosed in ovals.

Description: 5.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Green and blue. Front: English text; Mot mot bird on branch; coat of arms. Back: English text; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; three women at produce market with wicker baskets. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise and 5. Printer: (De La Rue). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Gray and yellow. Front: English text; Cocorico bird on branch; coat of arms. Back: English text; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; gantry crane unloading containers off ship in port. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise and 10. Printer: (De La Rue). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Purple and green. Front: English text; hummingbird drinking nectar from flower; coat of arms. Back: English text; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; five steel drum musical instruments. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise and 20. Printer: (De La Rue). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Blue and brown. Front: English text; bird of paradise on branch; coat of arms. Back: English text; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; off-shore oil platform. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise and 100. Printer: (De La Rue). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

1977 Issues

In recognition of the country’s assumption of republican status on 1 August 1976, the bank issued new notes on 6 June 1977, with depictions of local flora and fauna and scenes at left, and the coat-of-arms replacing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at center. The 50- and 100-dollar denominations are entirely new, but feature the same overall design. The 50-dollar note was demonetized after less than two years “consequent to an incident involving some unissued notes,” according to the central bank.

Description: 5.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Green. Front: English text; branches and leaves; coat of arms. Back: English text; treasury building (old Central Bank headquarters) in Port of Spain; crane lifting sugar cane. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise. Printer: (Bradbury, WIlkinson & Company). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Brown. Front: English text; Piping guan bird on branch; coat of arms. Back: English text; treasury building (old Central Bank headquarters) in Port of Spain; sugar processing plant. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise. Printer: (Bradbury, WIlkinson & Company). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Purple. Front: English text; hibiscus flowers; coat of arms. Back: English text; treasury building (old Central Bank headquarters) in Port of Spain; cacao pods. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise. Printer: (Bradbury, WIlkinson & Company). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Red-orange. Front: English text; Long-billed starthroat bird; coat of arms. Back: English text; treasury building (old Central Bank headquarters) in Port of Spain; net fishing. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise. Printer: (Bradbury, WIlkinson & Company). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 TTD – Trinidad and Tobago Dollar Size: 155 x 66 mm

Blue. Front: English text; branch with leaves and berries; coat of arms. Back: English text; treasury building (old Central Bank headquarters) in Port of Spain; huts and palm trees. Solid security thread. Watermark: Bird of paradise. Printer: (Bradbury, WIlkinson & Company). 155 x 66 mm. Paper.