The history of banknotes in St. Vincent and the Grenadines reflects the economic and political evolution of this Caribbean nation. Since its independence in 1979, the country has used the Eastern Caribbean dollar as its official currency, issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
Current banknotes in circulation
The current banknotes in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are part of the series issued by the ECCB in 2019. This series includes denominations of 5, 10, 20, 20, 50 and 100 Eastern Caribbean dollars. The bills feature advanced security features and are printed on polymer, making them more durable and difficult to counterfeit. Each denomination features iconic images of the Eastern Caribbean region, including flora, fauna and historical sites.
Antique banknotes and landmarks in notemaking
Prior to the adoption of the East Caribbean dollar, St. Vincent used the British West Indies pound. An important milestone in St. Vincent's notafilia was the issuance of its own banknotes in 1913 by the colonial government. These first local banknotes had dollar denominations and circulated alongside the British currency. After independence, St. Vincent joined the Eastern Caribbean monetary system in 1983, marking the beginning of the modern era of its banknotes. The transition to polymer banknotes in 2019 represents the most recent development in the country's monetary history.
