## Aruba’s New Banknotes Spotlight Nature - IMF F&D

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Aruba’s New Banknotes Spotlight Nature - IMF F&D](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fandd/issues/2020/06/arubas-new-banknotes-spotlight-natures-heroes-currency)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2020/06/arubas-new-banknotes-spotlight-natures-heroes-currency/index.md)
- [Structured JSON version](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2020/06/arubas-new-banknotes-spotlight-natures-heroes-currency/index.json)
- [Bundle manifest](/en/publications/fandd/issues/2020/06/arubas-new-banknotes-spotlight-natures-heroes-currency/bundle-manifest.json)

## Bibliographic details
- Authors: NICCOLE BRAYNEN-KIMANI, MELINDA WEIR
- Published: June 1, 2020

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### Overview
- Article authors: NICCOLE BRAYNEN-KIMANI and MELINDA WEIR.
- Publication: F&D Magazine, June 2020.
- Purpose: Describe Aruba’s 2019 banknote redesign, outreach campaign, design choices, security features, reception, and symbolic significance.
- Timeline highlights:
  - First new currency design since 1990.
  - Florin previously upgraded once in 2003.
  - Redesign process lasted seven years.
  - New series released in 2019.

### Design and public outreach
- Strategy to encourage public acceptance:
  - Central Bank of Aruba (CBA) launched an outreach campaign called “Streanan di Aruba” (“Stars of Aruba”).
  - Campaign used comical, celebrity-style depictions of indigenous wildlife (e.g., birds getting “pedicures,” an iguana at the salon).
  - Promotion via social and traditional media to spark curiosity and dialogue.
  - Outcome: more than 85 percent of the old notes were returned before they were taken out of circulation.
- Use of local artistry:
  - CBA worked with local artists to capture the island’s flora and fauna and broader cultural elements.

### Flora, fauna, and cultural imagery on notes
- Fauna featured: red land crab, the endangered green turtle, Caracara cheriway, the troupial bird, and the iguana.
- Cultural and historical imagery:
  - 100 florin banknote (most widely circulated): front features a young green iguana; back features dancers braiding ribbons in a folklore dance.
  - 25 florin banknote: heralds Amerindian pottery.
  - 10 and 50 banknotes: pay homage to architecture past and present.
  - 200 florin banknote: front features the Caracara cheriway bird; back features a caha di orgel (self-playing piano).

### Security and durability features
- Security technologies incorporated in the new notes:
  - High-relief printing.
  - Color-changing ink.
  - A 3D “motion surface,” described as a moving stripe with miniaturized micro-optics.
- Purpose of features:
  - Enhance durability.
  - Make the currency among the world’s most secure.
  - Facilitate identification by law enforcement and the central bank and help mitigate counterfeiting.
- Security design partner: Crane Currency of Sweden.

### Reception and recognition
- Public reception:
  - The outreach campaign was described as “a huge success” by Jane Semeleer, president of the CBA.
- Awards:
  - The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) chose the Aruban 100 florin banknote as 2019 Banknote of the Year.
  - Noted design element: cheeky young green iguana (they turn gray as they age) on the 100 florin.

### Economic context and symbolism
- Economic vulnerability noted:
  - Aruba’s economy has heavy reliance on tourism and, like Caribbean neighbors, is being hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Symbolic messaging:
  - CBA emphasized showcasing aspects of Aruba beyond tourism to support sustainable industry and preserve natural habitat.
  - Jane Semeleer highlighted the 200 florin’s Caracara cheriway as exuding “courage and fearlessness,” reflecting the island’s resilience.

*Aruba’s New Banknotes Spotlight Nature - IMF F&D*

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## Content in this bundle

- **أوراق العملة**
  - [أوراق العملة (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/ar/currencies.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [أوراق العملة (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/ar/currencies.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}
- **Aruba’s New Banknotes Spotlight Nature – IMF F&D**
  - [Aruba’s New Banknotes Spotlight Nature – IMF F&D (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/arubas-new-banknotes-spotlight-natures-heroes-currency.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Aruba’s New Banknotes Spotlight Nature – IMF F&D (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/arubas-new-banknotes-spotlight-natures-heroes-currency.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}
- **Notas monetarias: Nuevas estrellas ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Junio de 2020**
  - [Notas monetarias: Nuevas estrellas ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Junio de 2020 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/es/los-nuevos-billetes-de-aruba-destacan-su-naturaleza-currency.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [Notas monetarias: Nuevas estrellas ● Finanzas y Desarrollo ● Junio de 2020 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/es/los-nuevos-billetes-de-aruba-destacan-su-naturaleza-currency.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}
- **华丽转身 -  货 币 - 《金融与发展》 2020年6月号 - 国际货币基金组织季刊**
  - [华丽转身 -  货 币 - 《金融与发展》 2020年6月号 - 国际货币基金组织季刊 (Markdown version)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/zh/currency.pdf.md){rel="alternate" type="text/markdown"}
  - [华丽转身 -  货 币 - 《金融与发展》 2020年6月号 - 国际货币基金组织季刊 (PDF)](/-/media/files/publications/fandd/article/2020/june/zh/currency.pdf){rel="external" type="application/pdf"}

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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/fandd/issues/2020/06/arubas-new-banknotes-spotlight-natures-heroes-currency_