Coins
Jamaica's currency is the Jamaican dollar, not to be confused with the US dollar. The value of the Jamaican dollar fluctuates but in October 2012 it was approximately J$90 to US$1. At the time of its introduction, coins of 1 cent (1.2 pence), 5 cents (6 pence), 10 cents (1 shilling), 20 cents (2 shillings) and 25 cents (2 shillings 6 pence) were produced. With the exception of a smaller bronze 1 cent, the compositions, sizes, and shapes of the coins were identical to those they replaced.
The 1-cent coin was changed in 1975 to a twelve-sided shape and aluminium composition. Decagonal 50-cent coins were introduced in 1976 to replace the 50 cent banknote, but production for circulation ceased in 1989, along with that of the 20 cents. In 1990, nickel-brass 1 dollar coins were introduced to replace the banknote of the same denomination. Nickel-plated steel replaced copper-nickel in the 5, 10, and 25 cent coins in 1991 with a smaller size and seven-sided shape for the 25 cent coin. In 1994, a round nickel-plated steel 5 dollar coin replaced its corresponding banknote, a smaller, seven-sided nickel-plated steel 1 dollar coin was introduced, and the 5 cent coin was abandoned. 1995 saw smaller, round copper-plated steel 10 and 25 cent coins. All non-current coins were demonetized in January 1997. A scalloped nickel-plated steel 10 dollar coin replaced the 10 dollar note in 1999 and a bimetallic 20 dollar coin with a nickel-brass ring and copper-nickel center was introduced in favor of a 20 dollar banknote in 2000. All nickel-plated or copper-plated steel coins are magnetic.
All coins have the Jamaican coat of arms on their obverse.
Coins currently in circulation are:
- 10 cent (17 mm; 2.4 g; copper-plated steel; round) Reverse: Rt. Excellent Paul Bogle
- 25 cent (20 mm; 3.6 g; copper-plated steel; round) Reverse: Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey
- $1 (18.5 mm; 2.9 g; nickel-plated steel; seven-sided) Reverse: Rt. Excellent Sir Alexander Bustamante
- $5 (21.5 mm; 4.3 g; nickel-plated steel; round) Reverse: Rt. Excellent Norman Manley
- $10 (24.5 mm; 6 g; nickel-plated steel; scalloped or round) Reverse: Rt. Excellent George William Gordon
- $20 (23 mm; 7.1 g; bimetallic copper-nickel center in nickel-brass ring; round) Rt. Excellent Marcus Garvey
Read more about this topic: Jamaican 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)