Coins
In 1970, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents. The 1 cent was bronze, with the other coins struck in cupro-nickel. In 1983, nickel-brass 1 and 5 dollars coins were issued, although the 5 dollars coin was not issued again. The original Bermuda dollar coin was modeled on the pound coin. These coins were unpopular, due to their size and weight and, with the one-dollar note not being removed from circulation, many Bermudians refused to use them. The original one-dollar coin was replaced in 1988 by a new coin, similar to the Canadian dollar coin. This was larger, but thinner. Having learnt from its experience with the first coin, the Bermudian government first fixed a date when the one dollar note would cease to be legal tender, obliging adoption of the new coin, the original one- and five-dollar coins ceasing to be legal tender. Also in 1988, copper-plated steel replaced bronze, and production of the 50-cent coins ceased. In 1991, copper-plated zinc replaced copper-plated steel in the 1 cent.
Bermuda has occasionally released commemorative coins to celebrate certain events, historical milestones, flora and fauna. These coins bear a face value, but are generally seen more as collector's items or stores of value. Notable among these are the so-called "Bermuda triangles" which are pressed on special lobed triangular planchets, are minted in gold and silver, and come in denominations divisible by three.
| Coins in circulation | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Value | Technical parameters | Description | Date of | |||||||
| Obverse | Reverse | Diameter | Mass | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | First minting |
Withdrawal | Lapse | |
| 1 cent | Bronze | 3.11 g | 19 mm | Plain | Elizabeth II | Wild hog | 1970 | — | — | ||
| Copper plated zinc |
2.50 g | ||||||||||
| 5 cents | Cupronickel | 5.00 g | 21.2 mm | Plain | Elizabeth II | Angelfish | 1970 | — | — | ||
| 10 cents | Cupronickel | 2.45 g | 17.9 mm | Milled | Elizabeth II | Bermuda Easter lilies | 1970 | — | — | ||
| 25 cents | Cupronickel | 5.92 g | 25 mm | Milled | Elizabeth II | Longtail in flight | 1970 | — | — | ||
| 50 cents | Cupronickel | 12.60 g | 30.5 mm | Milled | Elizabeth II | Coat of arms of Bermuda | 1970 | 1 May 1990 | 30 April 2000 | ||
| 1 dollar | Nickel-brass | 9.50 g | 22.5 mm | Milled and inscribed with "Bermuda Monetary Authority" |
Elizabeth II | Bermuda map and cahow | 1983 | — | — | ||
| 7.56 g | 26 mm | Alternating plain and milled | Bermuda-fitted dinghy | 1988 | — | — | |||||
| 5 dollars | Nickel-brass | Milled and inscribed with "Bermuda Monetary Authority" |
Elizabeth II | Bermuda map and onion | 1983 | 1 January 1990 | 31 December 1999 | ||||
Read more about this topic: Bermudian Dollar
Famous quotes containing the word coins:
“No Time, spoke the clocks, no God, rang the bells,
I drew the white sheet over the islands
And the coins on my eyelids sang like shells.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)
“A war undertaken without sufficient monies has but a wisp of force. Coins are the very sinews of battles.”
—François Rabelais (1494–1553)