2025 Bank Note of the Year

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) has selected the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten’s 200 gulden as the 2025 Bank Note of the Year. With almost 100 new notes released worldwide last year, 17 were deemed eligible for nomination. From the onset of voting, the Curaçao and Sint Maarten 200 gulden was the overwhelming favorite.

The 200 gulden is part of a new series with five denominations, all drawing inspiration from the “World Under the Sea.” The front of each note in the series features marine life native to the islands, while the back highlights historical and cultural landmarks. The 200 gulden is the largest denomination. Predominantly purple, it depicts longsnout seahorses and a giant tun shell in blue-to-green OVI (optically variable ink) on the front. The back showcases the iconic Queen Emma Bridge that crosses over St. Anna Bay in Willemstad, Curaçao.

The first runner-up was Fiji’s $5, which features a kulawai bird and sea turtle. The second runner-up was Zambia’s 100 kwacha, which depicts an eagle and giraffes. 

Champions of the IBNS Bank Note of the Year competition are works of art that highlight national identity. These winners help provide a template as other countries consider how they design and promote their own bank notes.