Who Is On The Belize Dollar Bill?

The Belize dollar is the official currency in Belize, and all local banknotes feature a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front. Belize is a former colony of Great Britain, and the country remains a member of the British Commonwealth with King Charles III as Head of State. In July 2023, it was decided that future Belizean dollar bills will not feature the portrait of King Charles III. Instead, new bills will depict Belizean national heroes, including George Cadle Price and Philip Goldson.

The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of 2:1

The Belize dollar (BZD) is the official currency of Belize, which is abbreviated as BZ$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies. It is divided into 100 cents.

The Belize dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a fixed rate of BZ$2 to US$1. This means that one US dollar is worth two Belize dollars. This fixed exchange rate has been in place since 1978, but the history of the Belize dollar and its relationship to other currencies is quite complex.

Prior to its independence in 1981, Belize used several different currencies, including the British Honduras dollar, British pounds, and Spanish dollars. In 1825, an imperial order-in-council introduced British sterling coinage into all British colonies, including Belize. However, due to an unrealistic exchange rate, this initiative largely failed. In the middle of the 19th century, British Honduras (now Belize) operated the British sterling monetary system, but this was driven out of circulation by the silver peso of neighbouring Guatemala in 1873. As most imports were coming from the United States, a new currency was introduced based on the US dollar.

When the United Kingdom abandoned the gold standard in 1931, the Belize currency maintained its attachment to the US dollar. However, it also joined the sterling area during World War II, even though it maintained its fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. In 1949, the British pound was devalued, which caused a sudden increase in the value of the Belize dollar relative to the pound. This led to protests and a subsequent devaluation of the Belize dollar to 70 US cents.

In 1978, Belize abandoned its link to the British pound and once again pegged its currency to the US dollar at the fixed rate that continues today. This rate reflects a devaluation of 50% in relation to the original parity with the US dollar in 1885.

Belizean banknotes include $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills

The Belize dollar (BZD) is the official currency of Belize, with an exchange rate of BZ$2 to US$1. Belizean banknotes include $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills. All local banknotes feature a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II on the front. However, in July 2023, it was decided that future Belizean dollar bills would not feature the portrait of King Charles III. Instead, new bills will depict Belizean national heroes, including George Cadle Price and Philip Goldson.

The Belize dollar was introduced in 1885, along with 1 cent coins. Higher denominations of coins were introduced in 1894, and the first banknotes were issued by the government in the same year. The currency of British Honduras, as Belize was formerly known, was initially based on the British sterling monetary system. However, in the mid-19th century, the silver peso of neighbouring Guatemala drove the British currency out of circulation. As a result, British Honduras adopted a new currency based on the US dollar.

Over time, the Belize dollar has undergone several changes and upgrades to enhance its security features. In 1990, the Central Bank of Belize put into circulation a new family of currency notes that showcased the country's rich variety of wildlife, national culture, and historic sites. This family of notes has since been upgraded in 1998 and 2003 to further improve security.

The principal security features of Belize bank notes include a watermark, a windowed security thread, a see-through feature, novel numbering, intaglio, an intaglio over-foil feature, a multi-redundant hologram, and specific dimensions for each denomination. The $100 and $50 notes measure 150mm x 75mm, while the $20 and $10 notes are slightly smaller at 140mm x 70mm.

Belizean coins include $1 and $2 coins, as well as smaller denominations

The Belize dollar (BZD) is the official currency of Belize, which is divided into 100 cents. Belizean coins include $1 and $2 coins, as well as smaller denominations. The $2 coin was introduced in 1990, while the $1 coin was introduced in 1976. The $1 coin replaced the $1 note, which was issued for the last time in 1990.

Belizean coins have been minted at the Royal Mint and the Franklin Mint. The Franklin Mint created a series of numismatic coins depicting the Belizean Coat-of-Arms on the obverse instead of the Queen's portrait. These coins were intended for American collectors and did not circulate in Belize.

Belizean coins feature Queen Elizabeth II, the country's first head of state, wearing the heraldic Tudor Crown. Two types of effigies of the Queen were used, one by Cecil Thomas for coins of 1-50 cents and one by Raphael Maklouf for the dollar coin. The late Queen Elizabeth II appears on all banknotes issued by the Central Bank of Belize. In July 2023, it was decided that future Belizean dollar bills would not feature the portrait of King Charles III. Instead, new bills will depict Belizean national heroes, including George Cadle Price and Philip Goldson.

Belize was a former colony of Great Britain, which is reflected on its money

Belize was a former colony of Great Britain, which is reflected in its money. The country gained independence in 1981, but before that, it was known as British Honduras, a British colony. The Belize dollar (BZD), the official currency of Belize, was first issued in 1974, three years before the country gained independence.

In 1825, an imperial order-in-council was passed, introducing the British sterling coinage into all the British colonies, including British Honduras. This made sterling coinage legal tender and set the exchange rate between sterling and the Spanish dollar at $1 = 4s 4d. However, this exchange rate did not accurately reflect the value of the silver in the Spanish dollars compared to the gold in the British sovereigns. As a result, the local authorities in British Honduras unofficially used an alternative rating of $1 = 4s.

In the mid-19th century, British Honduras, like other British colonies in the region, operated the British sterling monetary system. However, in 1873, an international silver crisis led to the silver peso of neighbouring Guatemala driving the British currency out of circulation. As a result, British Honduras adopted a new currency based on the US dollar, bringing it in line with Canada. The Canadian dollar, at the time, was on the gold standard and equal to the American dollar.

Despite the United Kingdom abandoning the gold standard in 1931, the British Honduras dollar remained tied to the US dollar. During World War II, British Honduras joined the sterling area, maintaining its fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. In 1949, when the British pound was devalued, the British Honduras dollar was also devalued relative to the pound, causing protests.

In 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize, and a new family of notes was introduced with the new country name. The Central Bank of Belize, established in 1982, manages the nation's foreign reserves and issues its currency. While the currency is now pegged to the US dollar, the influence of Britain on the monetary system of Belize, a former colony, is evident through its history.

The Belize dollar is the official currency of Belize

The Belize dollar has a long history. In 1825, an imperial order-in-council introduced British sterling coinage into all British colonies, including British Honduras (now Belize). However, the exchange rate set by the order was unrealistic, leading to its failure. In 1838, new legislation corrected the exchange rate, but by then, British Honduras was already using the British sterling monetary system alongside Jamaica and Bermuda. In the mid-19th century, an international silver crisis led to the introduction of a new currency in British Honduras based on the US dollar. This was due to most imports coming from the US at the time.

In 1885, bronze 1-cent coins were introduced, followed by higher denominations in 1894. The first banknotes were also issued in 1894. In 1931, when the UK abandoned the gold standard, the British Honduras dollar remained tied to the US dollar. During World War II, British Honduras joined the sterling area while maintaining its fixed exchange rate with the US dollar. In 1949, the British pound was devalued, causing a sudden increase in the value of the British Honduran dollar relative to the pound. This led to protests and the subsequent devaluation of the British Honduran dollar.

In 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize, and a new family of notes was introduced with the new country name. The Monetary Authority of Belize was established in 1976, taking over note issuance. The Central Bank of Belize was established in 1982, and the first notes issued under its name were dated 1ST JULY 1983. In 1990, a new family of Belize currency notes was put into circulation, showcasing the country's wildlife, culture, and historic sites. These notes have been upgraded multiple times to enhance their security features.

Belizean banknotes include denominations of $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100, with the largest bill colloquially known as a blue buay (blue boy). The largest coins are $1 and $2, with smaller coins of 50, 25, 10, 5, and 1 cent. All local banknotes and coins feature a prominent image of Queen Elizabeth II, as Belize is a member of the British Commonwealth. However, it was decided in July 2023 that future Belizean dollar bills will not feature the portrait of King Charles III. Instead, they will depict Belizean national heroes, including George Cadle Price and Philip Goldson.

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