Redesign coins honouring Jamaican icons
Published:Monday | February 5, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
The introduction last year of the new and different Jamaican currency notes – both in the material used to produce them and with each of those notes bearing the images of not one, but two Jamaican national heroes (with the exception of Marcus Garvey) and/or two former/deceased prime ministers – are welcome improvements over the old notes.
That said, the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) needs to address four glaring flaws that have emerged following the roll-out of the new notes by the Bank of Jamaica.
The four flaws are as follows: (1) Sir Alexander Bustamante’s image remains on the $1 coin, even though his image is on the new $1,000 note; (2) Norman Manley’s image remains on the $5 coin, even though his image is now on the new $1,000 note; Sir George Gordon’s image remains on the $10 coin, even though his image is now on the new $50 note; Marcus Garvey’s image remains on the $20 coin, despite his sole image being on the new $100 note.
Last I would like to, humbly and respectfully, suggest that Minister of Finance and the Public Service Nigel Clarke lead the way in correcting the aforementioned flaws. Were I asked my advice on how to do so, I would suggest replacing the old coins with newly minted ones, bearing the images of the following Jamaican legends/icons: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce ($1); Usain Bolt ($5); Louise Bennett-Coverley ($10); Robert Nesta Marley ($20).
PATRICK GALLIMORE