New Coat of Arms to appear on Trinidad and Tobago banknotes from August

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has announced that the country’s new Coat of Arms will begin appearing on banknotes from August, starting with the Series 2026 TT$100 denomination.

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In a press release, the Central Bank said the Coat of Arms forms part of the design of all Trinidad and Tobago banknotes and coins and has been valid since February 25 last year. However, under the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) (Extension of Time for Use of Former Coat of Arms) Order, 2025, the former Coat of Arms will remain valid until January 2, 2031.

According to the Central Bank, following the introduction of the Series 2026 TT$100 banknote, all $100 notes and other denominations with series dates prior to 2026, as well as all coins bearing the former Coat of Arms, will be replaced on a phased basis. Old notes and coins with the former Coat of Arms that are in active circulation will remain legal tender until January 2, 2031, or a later date if extended by the Minister of Home Affairs.

Providing an update on the launch of the Series 2026 TT$100 banknote, the Central Bank said the current $100 note in circulation belongs to the 2019 Series. It explained that, based on standard banknote industry practices used by monetary authorities globally, a mid-series upgrade is typically issued within seven years. The bank said this approach supports modernisation and reflects advances in technology, including enhanced substrate materials, advanced security features, improved printing techniques and greater durability.

The Central Bank said the Series 2026 TT$100 banknote will enter circulation from August and will co-circulate with the 2019 Series. The timing, it said, allows for activities required ahead of currency issuance, including secure shipment and distribution to stakeholders, adaptation of cash processing machinery and training. Additional time is also required for infrastructure modernisation to accommodate processing of the new note based on its specifications and security features, as well as for the rollout of a comprehensive “Know Your Money” public education campaign.

The design of the Series 2026 TT$100 will retain key elements of the 2019 Series, including colour, size, polymer substrate, the national flag and tactile features for the visually impaired. The new series will feature enhanced security elements, including a larger transparent window incorporating the Bird of Paradise, along with additional features reflecting advances in banknote printing technology over the past five years. The new Coat of Arms will also be included.

The Central Bank said it will continue its annual “Know Your Money” campaigns across its communication channels and will issue public notices with further details closer to the release date of the new banknote series.

Last month, Minister of Home Affairs Roger Alexander announced that the Government had agreed to extend the use of the old Coat of Arms until 2031.

The decision to amend the Coat of Arms was taken by the previous government in January last year. At the time of its proclamation, the former Coat of Arms was allowed to remain in use until January 1, 2026, after which the redesigned national emblem was intended to take full effect. The new design removed the three ships representing Christopher Columbus’ arrival in 1498 and replaced them with the steelpan, the national instrument.