Bermudian dollar
ISO 4217
CodeBMD (numeric: 060)
Subunit0.01
Unit
Symbol$‎
Denominations
Subunit
 1⁄100cent
Banknotes$2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100
Coins
 Freq. used1, 5, 10, 25 cents, $1
 Rarely used50 cents, $5
Demographics
Date of introduction6 February 1970 (1970-02-06)
User(s) Bermuda (alongside the US dollar)
Issuance
Monetary authorityBermuda Monetary Authority
 Websitebma.bm
PrinterDe La Rue
MintRoyal Mint
Valuation
Inflation1.9%
 SourceThe World Factbook, 2017
Pegged withUnited States dollar (at par)

The Bermudian dollar (symbol: $; code: BMD; also abbreviated BD$; informally called the Bermuda dollar) is the official currency of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is subdivided into 100 cents. The Bermudian dollar is not normally traded outside Bermuda, and is pegged to the United States dollar at a one-to-one ratio. Both currencies circulate in Bermuda on an equal basis.

History

For nearly four hundred years Spanish dollars, known as "pieces of eight" were in widespread use on the world's trading routes, including the Caribbean region.[1] However, following the revolutionary wars in Latin America, the source of these silver trade coins dried up.[2] The United Kingdom had adopted a very successful gold standard in 1821, and so the year 1825 was an opportune time to introduce the British sterling coinage into all the British colonies.[2] An imperial Order in Council was passed in that year for the purposes of facilitating this aim by making sterling coinage legal tender in the colonies at the specified rate of 1 Spanish dollar to 4 shillings, 4 pence sterling.[3] As the sterling silver coins were attached to a gold standard, this exchange rate did not realistically represent the value of the silver in the Spanish dollars as compared to the value of the gold in the British gold sovereign.[4] Because of this, the order had the effect in many colonies of driving sterling coinage out of circulation, rather than encouraging its use.[5]

Remedial legislation had to be introduced in 1838 so as to change over to the more realistic rating of $1 = 4s 2d. However, in Jamaica, British Honduras, Bermuda, and later in the Bahamas also, the official rating was set aside in favour of what was known as the 'Maccaroni' tradition in which a British shilling, referred to as a 'Maccaroni', was treated as one quarter of a dollar. The common link between these four territories was the Bank of Nova Scotia which brought in the 'Maccaroni' tradition, resulting in the successful introduction of both sterling coinage and sterling accounts. It wasn't however until 1 January 1842 that the authorities in Bermuda formally decided to make sterling the official currency of the colony to circulate concurrently with Doubloons (64 shillings) at the rate of $1 = 4s 2d. Contrary to expectations, and unlike in the Bahamas where US dollars circulated concurrently with sterling, the Bermudans did not allow themselves to be drawn into the U. S. currency area. The Spanish dollars fell away in the 1850s but returned again in the 1870s following the international silver crisis of 1873. In 1874, the Bermuda merchants agreed unanimously to decline to accept the heavy imports of US currency except at a heavy discount, and it was then exported again. And in 1876, legislation was passed to demonetise the silver dollars for fear of them returning. In 1882, the local 'legal tender act' demonetised the gold doubloon, which had in effect been the real standard in Bermuda, and this left pounds, shillings, and pence as the sole legal tender.

The pound sterling remained the official currency of Bermuda until 1970, though the Government of Bermuda did issue its own pound banknotes.[6] With US and Canadian coins regularly appearing in circulation in Bermuda and the possibility of the devaluation of the pound sterling, Bermuda was compelled to adopt its own decimal currency.[7] On 6 February 1970, Bermuda introduced a new decimal currency in the form of a dollar. The nascent Bermudian dollars circulated in conjunction with the new British decimal coinage a year before it was introduced in the United Kingdom.[8] By adopting decimalisation early, Bermuda was also able to place orders for the coinage from the Royal Mint before other Commonwealth countries seeking to decimalise could.[7] The link between the Bermudian dollar and the pound sterling was not broken until 31 July 1972, which allowed Bermuda to align to a one-to-one exchange rate with the US dollar.[9] The decision for Bermuda to peg its dollar to the US dollar added convenience for the multitude of American tourists and businesses upon whom Bermuda largely relied.[10]

Since 1972, Bermudian law has required that local businesses charge prices in Bermudian dollars which, if paid in US dollars, must be accepted at a rate of 1:1. Only banks are legally allowed to exchange Bermudian dollars into US dollars or other currencies, subject to a 1.25% Foreign Currency Purchase Tax (some banks also charge an exchange fee).

Coins

Prior to decimalisation and conversion to the dollar, the Government of Bermuda did not issue its own coins, other than the commemorative Bermudian crowns, since the 19th Century at the latest. In 1970, the Bermuda Monetary Authority introduced coinage with denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. From its inception, the 1-cent coin was struck out of bronze until 1988, when it was replaced with copper-plated steel. The composition of the 1-cent coin was changed to copper-plated zinc in 1991.[9] All other denominations, at the time, were minted from cupronickel. Nickel-brass 1-dollar and 5-dollar coins were issued in 1983; neither were very popular, with the 5-dollar coin eventually being withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 1990.[11] New 1-dollar coins that were thinner and one-third lighter than the 1983 issue were produced in 1988.[12] The 50-cent denomination was also phased out, with the coins being called in on 1 May 1990.[13] All denominations of Bermuda coinage depict the monarch of the United Kingdom on the obverse. From 1970 through 1985, the royal effigy by Arnold Machin was used, followed by an effigy by Raphael Maklouf from 1986 through 1998.[9] The current obverse, introduced in 1999, is the royal effigy sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley.

Bermuda has occasionally released commemorative coins to celebrate certain events, historical milestones, flora, and fauna. These coins bear a face value, but are generally seen more as collector's items or stores of value. Notable among these are the so-called "Bermuda triangles", which are pressed on special lobed triangular planchets, are minted in gold and silver, and come in denominations divisible by three.

Coins in circulation
ImageValueCompositionTechnical parametersDescription[14]Date of
ObverseReverseMassDiameterEdgeObverseReverseFirst
minting		WithdrawalLapse
1 cent Bronze (1970–1987) 3.11 g 19 mm Plain Elizabeth II Wild hog 1970 — —
Copper-plated steel
(1988–1990)		 2.80 g
Copper-plated zinc
(1991–present)		 2.50 g
5 cents Cupronickel 5.00 g 21.2 mm Plain Elizabeth II Angelfish 1970 — —
10 cents Cupronickel 2.45 g 17.9 mm Milled Elizabeth II Bermuda Easter lilies 1970 — —
25 cents Cupronickel 5.92 g 25 mm Milled Elizabeth II Longtail in flight 1970 — —
50 cents Cupronickel 12.60 g 30.5 mm Milled Elizabeth II Coat of arms of Bermuda 1970 1 May 1990[13] 30 April 2000[13]
1 dollar Nickel–brass 9.50 g 22.5 mm Milled and inscribed with
"Bermuda Monetary Authority"		 Elizabeth II Bermuda map and cahow 1983 — —
7.56 g 26 mm Alternating plain and milled Bermuda-fitted dinghy 1988 — —
5 dollars Nickel-brass 12.5 g 25.5 mm Milled and inscribed with
"Bermuda Monetary Authority"		 Elizabeth II Bermuda map and onion 1983 1 January 1990[11] 31 December 1999[11]

Banknotes

In the 20th century, its pound notes were issued in all denominations (and the only coins used were UK ones). In 1970, the government introduced dollar notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 dollars. From 1974, the Bermuda Monetary Authority took over paper money production, introducing 100-dollar notes in 1982 and 2 dollars in 1988, when the 1 dollar was replaced by a coin. 1970 dollar notes are all printed with Bermuda Government across the top. Later notes substitute Bermuda Monetary Authority. All of the "legacy" banknotes were withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 2014, but still able to be exchanged for new banknotes for 10 years.[15][16] Including the original 1970 series, all horizontal-style banknotes will be phased out in favour of the vertical, 2009 series.[17]

2000 series
Pick
No.		ImageValueDimensions[18]Main Colours[19]Description[18][20]Date of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseWatermarkFirst printingWithdrawal
50 $2 140 × 68 mm Blue and green on multicolour Elizabeth II and seahorse Map of Bermuda and Royal Naval Dockyard Tuna fish 24 May 2000 1 January 2014
51 $5 Purple and burgundy on multicolour Elizabeth II and Conch shell St. David's Lighthouse and town of St. George's
52 $10 Dark blue and mauve on multicolour Elizabeth II and Oleander flowers Flatt's Inlet, cahow, and seashell
53 $20 Green and red on multicolour Elizabeth II and Burnaby House Ely's Harbour and Somerset Bridge
54 $50 Bluish black, red and brown on multicolour Elizabeth II and Commissioner's House Map of Bermuda and Scuba divers exploring shipwreck
55 $100 Red-orange and brown on multicolour Elizabeth II and Bermudiana flowers House of Assembly of Bermuda and Camden House
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.
Commemorative series
Pick
No.		ImageValueDimensions[18]Main colourDescription[18][20]Date of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseWatermarkPrintingWithdrawal
40 $50 140 × 68 mm Multicolour Elizabeth II and Commissioner's House
Christopher Columbus Quincentenary 1492–1992		 Map of Bermuda and scuba divers exploring shipwreck Tuna fish 12 October 1992 1 January 2014
46 $100 Elizabeth II and Bermudiana flowers
25th Anniversary Bermuda Monetary Authority 1969–1994		 House of Assembly of Bermuda and Camden House 20 February 1994
47 $20 Elizabeth II and Burnaby House
To commemorate the opening of the 'Burnaby House' by the Bermuda Monetary Authority		 Ely's Harbour and Somerset Bridge 17 January 1997
56 $50 Elizabeth II and Commissioner's House
To Commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1953–2003		 Map of Bermuda and scuba divers exploring shipwreck 2 June 2003
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

Redesign

In 2008, it was announced that banknotes would be redesigned in celebration of Bermuda's 400th anniversary, the first redesign since the launch of the dollar.[21] The new designs were described as "distinctly Bermudian",[22] with Queen Elizabeth II being relegated to a minor position,[23] using a royal effigy by Machin.[24] They feature themes and scenes of maritime Bermuda, and like their predecessors are coloured by value. The serial number prefix on the first million notes is that of a Bermuda onion; subsequent notes will bear a conventional prefix. The series was issued on 9 March 2009.[25] The Bermuda Monetary Authority was awarded "Bank Note of the Year" by the International Banknote Society for the design of the new $2 banknote.[26] The 2009-series $50 banknote was modified in August 2012 to depict the correct species of longtail native to Bermuda.[27] Originally, it erroneously depicted the red-billed tropicbird and was changed to the indigenous white-tailed tropicbird.

2009 series
Pick
No.		ImageValueDimensions[28]Main ColourDescription[29]Date of
ObverseReverseObverseReverseWatermarkFirst printingIssue
57 $2 140 × 68 mm Turquoise Bluebird (Sialia sialis) Dockyard Clock Tower and statue of Neptune Hibiscus flower 1 January 2009 9 March 2009[25]
58 $5 Pink Blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) Horseshoe Bay Beach and Somerset Bridge
59 $10 Purple Blue angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) Deliverance and Commissioner's House
60 $20 Green Whistling frog (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei) Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and St. Mark's Church
61 $50 Yellow Longtail (Phaethon lepturus) St. Peter's Church
62 $100 Red Red cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) on a branch of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) House of Assembly of Bermuda and Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow)
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.
Current BMD exchange rates
From Google Finance: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY
From Yahoo! Finance: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY
From XE.com: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY
From OANDA: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY

See also

References

  1. ↑ Chalmers 1893, p. 152.
  2. 1 2 Chalmers 1893, p. 23.
  3. ↑ Chalmers 1893, p. 158.
  4. ↑ Chalmers 1893, pp. 24–25.
  5. ↑ Chalmers 1893, p. 25.
  6. ↑ Standard Catalog of World Paper Money 2009, pp. 113–114.
  7. 1 2 "Taking note of decimal currency, 25 years on". The Royal Gazette. 7 February 1995. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  8. ↑ Haney, Thomas V (3 May 1970). "Bermuda's Decimal Pieces". The New York Times. p. 131.
  9. 1 2 3 Standard Catalog of World Coins 2010, p. 205.
  10. ↑ Kennedy 2005, pp. 149–150.
  11. 1 2 3 "Calling in of the 1983 Five Dollar Coin" (PDF). Laws of Bermuda. Government of Bermuda. 17 November 1989. GN 654/1989. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  12. ↑ "Bermuda: First $2 Bill and New $1 Coin Unveiled". The Numismatist. American Numismatic Association. 102 (2): 199. February 1989.
  13. 1 2 3 "Calling in of the One Dollar Note and the Fifty Cent Circulation Coin" (PDF). Laws of Bermuda. Government of Bermuda. 30 March 1990. GN 200/1990. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  14. ↑ "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 1988, pp. 4–5.
  15. ↑ Bell, Jonathan (6 June 2013). "Old style bank notes to be retired". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  16. ↑ Bell, Jonathan (28 November 2013). "Cash in those old notes". Royal Gazette. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  17. ↑ "The Bermuda Monetary Authority Calls in Old Bermuda Banknotes" (PDF) (Press release). Bermuda Monetary Authority. 5 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  18. 1 2 3 4 "Bermuda Monetary Authority (Currency Forms and Designs, etc.) Regulations 1992". Government of Bermuda. 9 October 1992. BR 42/1992. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  19. ↑ Standard Catalog of World Paper Money 2009, pp. 117–118.
  20. 1 2 "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 1988, pp. 2–3.
  21. ↑ Wright, Alex (22 January 2008). "BMA to issue new-look banknotes". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  22. ↑ "Notes of Distinction" (PDF). Bermuda Monetary Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
  23. ↑ "Breaking News: Queen moved as main image of Bermuda bank notes". The Royal Gazette. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  24. ↑ Julia Lee, Stamp Magazine #75-11, November 2009, page 28, confirmed by pictures of the notes reproduced on "Bermuda issues new note series", Banknote News, 28 March 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
  25. 1 2 "Bermuda Monetary Authority Releases New Redesigned Banknote Series" (PDF) (Press release). Bermuda Monetary Authority. 9 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  26. ↑ Doyle, Connor (23 June 2012). "BMA accepts international best banknote award for the $2 bill". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  27. ↑ Burgess, Don (1 August 2012). "New $50 depicts correct longtail". Bermuda Sun. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  28. ↑ "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 2007, p. 2.
  29. ↑ "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 2007, pp. 3–4.

Sources

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