PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has announced that the new Coat of Arms will be introduced on banknotes IN August, beginning with the TT$100 denomination.
In a release on Friday, the bank said the Coat of Arms forms part of the design of all banknotes and coins and became valid from February 25 last year.
However, it said, consistent with the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) (Extension of Time for Use of Former Coat of Arms) Order, 2025, the former Coat of Arms remains valid until January 2, 2031.
According to the Central Bank, following the introduction of the Series 2026 $100 banknote, all $100 notes and other denominations with Series dates before 2026, as well as all coins bearing the former Coat of Arms, will be changed out on a phased basis. The bank said old notes and coins with the former Coat of Arms that are in active circulation will remain legal tender until January 2, 2031, or a later date if extended by the Minister of Home Affairs.
Providing an update on the launch of the Series 2026 TT$100 banknote, the Central Bank said the current $100 note in circulation belongs to the 2019 Series.
It said that based on everyday banknote industry practices adopted by monetary authorities globally, including the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, a mid-series upgrade is usually issued within seven years. The bank said this supports modernisation and reflects technological developments that offer enhanced substrate materials, advanced security features, improved printing techniques, and greater durability.
The Central Bank said the Series 2026 TT$100 banknote will enter circulation from August and will co-circulate with the 2019 Series. It said the timing allows for activities required before currency issuance, including secure shipment and distribution of notes to stakeholders for the adaptation of cash processing machinery and training. In addition, the bank said time is needed to modernise infrastructure to accommodate processing of the new denomination, based on its specifications and security features, as well as to execute a comprehensive “Know Your Money” public education campaign.
The new series will feature enhanced security elements, including a larger transparent window incorporating the Bird of Paradise, as well as additional features reflecting advances in banknote printing technology over the past five years.
The Series 2026 TT$100 banknote will also include the new Coat of Arms.
The Central Bank said it will continue its annual “Know Your Money” campaigns across its communication channels and will issue public notices with further details closer to the release date of the new banknote series.
Last month, Minister of Home Affairs Roger Alexander announced that the Government had agreed to extend the use of the old Coat of Arms until 2031.
The decision to amend the Coat of Arms was made by the previous Government in January last year. When it was proclaimed, the then-government stipulated that the former Coat of Arms could be used until January 1, 2026, after which the redesigned national emblem was intended to take full effect.
The new design removed the three ships representing Christopher Columbus’s arrival in this country in 1498, with the steelpan, the national instrument.
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