..Guyana - $2000 Commemorative Polymer Banknote 55th Year Of Independence

 Cooperative Republic Of Guyana

Bank of Guyana

Currency - Dollar (GYD)

 

In 2016, the Bank of Guyana released a $50 commemorative banknote celebrating the country's 50th year of independence from the British (1966-2016). Independence day is celebrated on the 26th of May. Guyana was first colonised by the Dutch until 1814 and then came the British until 1966.

 

In 2022, the Bank of Guyana released a $2,000 commemorative banknote to commemorate the country's 55th year of independence. The 55th Anniversary celebration was supposed to be in 2021, however due to the pandemic, the release was delayed until in early 2022. This note was launched on 12.02.2022. However, two commemorative coins of $100 and $10000 were issued in 2021 to celebrate this special occasion.

 

This is the first time that a denomination of $2000 is issued in the country, but not the largest. In 2013, the Bank of Guyana released a normal circulating note of $5,000. This is also the second time a commemorative banknote is issued since its independence.

Guyana has a rather small population of just under 750,000, and is a relatively poor country with almost half the working forces are earning less then US$6 a day. The country has a long history of territory dispute with their neighbour, Venezuela. Venezuela claims about 74% of the land of Guyana on the western side of Guyana.. This dispute started between their former colonial masters well before their independence. The disputing parties were the Spanish for Venezuela and the Netherlands and then the British for Guyana. The Spanish called the disputed land as Guayana Esequiba (or Territorio del Esequibo). Venezuela called the disputed land as Zona en Reclamacion (Zone in Reclamation). Whilst agreements were signed by both parties to resolve this in a peaceful manner, this matter is still not resolved as at today, and I do not believe this will ever resolve unless Venezuela agrees to give up the claim. Needless to say, the Government of Guyana will not agree to the claim, and if they do, it will reduce the country by two thirds of its current size.

 

This note is printed on polymer substrate and this is also the first time a polymer note is issued.

 

Two Thousand Dollars 

Flag of Guyana, bank's logo and map

Front - On the front, it depicts President Irfan Ali's 'One Guyana' agenda. Flag of Guyana on the background, Wai-Wai patternas a show of respect for the country's indigenous heritage. Other features depicted on the notes are the map of Guyana with its natural resources, the Bank of Guyana's logo and the Guyana's national animal - the Jaguar (transparent window). The label of Guyana's 55th Independence Anniversary - is also printed on the note;

Signatures

Governor - Dr Gobind Ganga (since November 2014)

Vice President of Guyana - Bharrat Jagdeo (since 02.08.2020)

Dimensions - 156mm x 65mm

Back - Six children of different ethnic groups representing many races but only one Guyanese. This is clearly the country is promoting harmony among its own people of all difference races. The first time I saw such a theme or design was the Jamaican $2 commemorative note issued in 1973, and more recently the Fijian $50 commemorative note issued in 2020.

Six children of different ethnic groups

..Guyana - $50 Independence Commemorative 1966-2016

Fifty Dollars

Dated 2016

Reverse

 

Guyana (in Amerindian language means Land of Many Waters) celebrates its 50th Golden Jubilee Independence from Britain on 26.05.2016. Guyana was first colonised by the Dutch between 1667-1814 (Dutch Guiana) and then the British from 1814-1966 (British Guiana). This is the first commemorative note ever issued by the bank. Whilst this is a legal tender note, it is not sure why that since independent, the country has never issued a $50 denomination of banknote for general circulation until now. Officially, the country is called the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Guyana is the only South American nation that English is the official language (apart from Falkland Islands of course). Whilst the country is situated in South America, it is also a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM - Caribbean Community and Common Market) with its headquarter located in Georgetown Guyana. The country has a rather small population of approx. 750,000+/- and the majority of the people are living in the capital region of Georgetown. If you have never heard of this country, perhaps if you are old enough, you may have heard of the unfortunately story of Jim Jones and his Jonestown Guyana in the 1970s which ended with mass suicides and also the murdering of innocents people including US Congressman Leo Ryan in Jonestown Guyana.

The face value of this note to the outside world is insignificant.

Designs:

Obverse -Group of 18 people (like paper cutting shape) standing together as one, Bank crest, map of Guyana with natural resources, 50th anniversary logo with the Jaguar's head, text Celebrating Fifty Years of Guyana's Independence Guyana 1966-2016;

Reverse - National flower Victoria Regia (water lily), map of Guyana over the national flag, eight flying peace doves with one in purple colour, texts printed - One People One Nation One Destiny;

Colour: predominately brown

Watermark: Macaw
Imprinter: De la Rue (this is the 100th year printing currency for Guyana)

The signatures on the note belongs to:
Bank Governor; Dr. Gobind Ganga,
Minister of Finance: Winston DaCosta Jordan

In addition to the above, two coins were also issued to celebrate this special occasion: -
$2,000 - metallic alloy plated in gold
$5,000 - silver and plated in white gold
Both minted by the Mint of Norway

The above were all launched on 11.05.2016.