A puzzling array of East Caribbean States color varieties has been reported. The backs of the notes are identical, but as you can see by examining the scans below—all provided by a single source and scanned using the same equipment and settings— the fish in the lower left corner on the front is printed in different colors on different notes. The standard color of brown/green switches to red, reddish brown, and green on these notes. Normally I might attribute this to ink variation over time, but the two rightmost notes are consecutive serial numbers and the fish color changes dramatically. All of these scans are of undated (2003) ECS $5 notes with the St. Vincent suffix V. If anyone can explain what’s going on here, or if there are similar color varieties in other denominations, please share that information.




© 2008: Neither information nor images from this site may be reproduced without permission from owen [AT] banknotenews [DOT] com.

Tags: East Caribbean States

According to a press release dated March 31, 2008, “The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank is advising the public that upgraded EC notes of all denominations will be put into circulation from 1 April 2008. The upgraded notes do not bear the barcodes or country codes which form part of the serial number on current notes. Additionally, the fish in the area where the barcodes were, are made more prominent by intaglio ink and the serial numbers on the upgraded notes have two alpha characters instead of one as on previous issues of EC notes. All other existing security features remain unchanged: These are the see-through feature, security threads, watermark of Queen Elizabeth II, electrotype which reads ECCB, intaglio over foil which shows the denomination, silver metallic fluorescence and the iridescent print. The current notes in circulation will continue to be legal tender, and will be replaced in the normal way, through wear and tear, over time.”



5 dollars (US$1.90)
Like P42, but no barcodes nor country codes, enhanced intaglio printing, serial numbers with two alpha characters, and Cornerstone watermarks. Printer: DE LA RUE.
No date. Signature: Sir K Dwight Venner, Governor. Introduced 01.04.2008.


10 dollars (US$3.80)
Like P43, but no barcodes nor country codes, enhanced intaglio printing, serial numbers with two alpha characters, and Cornerstone watermarks. Printer: DE LA RUE.
No date. Signature: Sir K Dwight Venner, Governor. Introduced 01.04.2008.


20 dollars (US$7.65)
Like P44, but no barcodes nor country codes, enhanced intaglio printing, serial numbers with two alpha characters, and Cornerstone watermarks. Printer: DE LA RUE.
No date. Signature: Sir K Dwight Venner, Governor. Introduced 01.04.2008.


50 dollars (US$19.10)
Like P45, but no barcodes nor country codes, enhanced intaglio printing, serial numbers with two alpha characters, and Cornerstone watermarks. Printer: DE LA RUE.
No date. Signature: Sir K Dwight Venner, Governor. Introduced 01.04.2008.


100 dollars (US$38.25)
Like P46, but no barcodes nor country codes, enhanced intaglio printing, serial numbers with two alpha characters, and Cornerstone watermarks. Printer: DE LA RUE.
No date. Signature: Sir K Dwight Venner, Governor. Introduced 01.04.2008.

Courtesy of banknoteshop@gmx.net and Frank van Tiel.

© 2008: Neither information nor images from this site may be reproduced without permission from owen [AT] banknotenews [DOT] com.

Tags: East Caribbean States