THE BRITISH Monarch’s image will be axed from the Eastern Caribbean Currency notes, used by eight countries in the region.

The change was approved by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council (ECCB), at their 105^th meeting in St Vincent and the Grenadines on 21 July.

The portrait of the late Queen, is on the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), which is the official currency of the eight ECCB Member Countries, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and St Vincent & the Grenadines. Anguilla and Montserrat also use the XCD.

These countries are commonly described as the members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU). 

In a release the ECCB said: “The use of the ECCU logo on the EC currency is subject to a process of public consultation.

“A consultation process until December 31, 2023. During this time, the public will be invited to comment on the proposal to replace the Queen’s image with the ECCU logo and to offer any other suggestions.”

They added that a final decision on the new image of the EC currency would be made by February 2024.

The XCD banknotes are in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.

From time to time the ECCB, has made upgrades the security features of the notes, with the last upgrade – with the exception of the $5 – made on April 8 2015.  

On 6 October 1965, the Eastern Caribbean Currency was bought into circulation.

The Monetary Council also announced a commemorative $50 note to mark Grenada’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain, will be circulated in the second half of 2024.

Grenada will celebrate its 50th year of independence on February 07, 2024.