Aruba Wins IBNS 2019 Bank Note of Year Award
The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) announces that its voting membership has selected the Central Bank of Aruba to receive its annual prestigious “Bank Note of the Year Award” for 2019. With well over 100 new banknotes released worldwide during 2019, only 22 were deemed of sufficiently new design to be member nominated. Almost from the start, Aruba’s new 100 Florin bill led the voting followed by an almost virtual tie between Eastern Caribbean States ($10 with multiple motifs), Northern Ireland Ulster Bank (5 Pound flying geese with people on shoreline) and Switzerland (1000 Franc human hands). Norway’s 1000 Kroner (large wave breaking design) placed fifth but every banknote nominated received at least some votes.
When the Central Bank of Aruba released its new series of 5 banknotes on June 3, 2019, it was the culmination of 7 years of intense preparation and soul searching. This “Stars of Aruba” series was introduced to the small Caribbean Island’s 120,000 residents with both humor, public interaction and a mobile application “Aruba su florin”. The goal was a complete banknote series redesign, the first in almost 30 years. The result is quite astonishing, including a new vertical format, beautiful artistic elements from Aruban culture, flora and fauna and even a new 200 Florin denomination, which replaced the old 500 Florin. Most striking is one of the most secure banknote features available using high-relief printing, color changing ink and a 3D MOTION SURFACE ® moving stripe with miniaturized micro-optics from printer Crane Currency. The unique designs are truly eye catching and effectively balance the challenge of anti-counterfeit technology with production costs. Local schools and citizens were all engaged in this national currency transition.
As a first-time entrant into the IBNS Bank Note of the Year competition, Aruba’s award winning success may provide a template for other countries to consider in designing and promoting new banknotes. The new Aruba successful design in emerald green features an iguana on the face and dancing women with ribbons on the green and blue reverse. The 100 Florin note is longer than a 20 Euro note and slightly wider but shorter than U.S. greenbacks. The current exchange value of 100 Florin is USD $57 on the date of this announcement.