22 February 2010
Jersey's first new currency notes for more than 20 years have been unveiled today (22 February 2010) at an official launch held at the Jersey Museum.
The new designs feature different aspects of Jersey's history, architecture and culture and incorporate several additional security features. For instance, the silver security thread, normally visible when the note is held up to the light, now also appears as silver dashes when the note is laid flat.
There is also a see-through feature - a map of Jersey, in panels, which fills with colour from the reverse of the note when viewed against the light, to make a solid image of the Island.
The most prominent new security feature is a hologram on the higher denomination notes, which contains a central image that changes according to the viewing angle. From some angles you will see the island of Jersey, and from others the States of Jersey crest.
All 12 parishes are featured in the new designs and the back of each note carries the words États de Jersey as well as the parish crests. Other important changes include the use of French and Jèrriais and a new image of the Queen.
The Treasury Minister, Senator Philip Ozouf said, "I am extremely grateful to the advisory group who gave their time and expertise to ensure the new notes reflect the Island’s history and culture. I am especially pleased to see the value of each note written in Jèrriais and I hope this will contribute to the regeneration of Jersey's own language.”
The Treasurer of the States, Ian Black, highlighted the revenue the Island earns on the local notes: "When we issue Jersey notes, banks pay the States for that cash; these payments are then invested and in 2008 this generated £3.7 million for the Island. So when we use the newly designed bank notes, we are also helping to pay for our essential services, like health and education.”
The new notes will not be in circulation until April but the public can learn more about the designs and view them at the Museum from Wednesday 23 February to the end of March. The displays will also be at the airport, Fort Regent, several banks, retail outlets and schools over the coming months.
Link to more information on Jersey's new banknotes
gov.je