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Bermudian dollar
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| ISO 4217 | |
|---|---|
| Code | BMD (numeric: 060) |
| Subunit | 0.01 |
| Unit | |
| Symbol | $ |
| Denominations | |
| Subunit | |
| 1⁄100 | cent |
| Banknotes | $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 |
| Coins | |
| Freq. used | 1, 5, 10, 25 cents, $1 |
| Demographics | |
| Date of introduction | 6 February 1970 |
| User(s) | |
| Issuance | |
| Monetary authority | Bermuda Monetary Authority |
| Website | bma |
| Printer | De La Rue |
| Mint | Royal Mint |
| Valuation | |
| Inflation | 1.9% |
| Source | The World Factbook, 2017 |
| Pegged with | United States dollar (at par) |
The Bermudian dollar (symbol: $; code: BMD; also abbreviated BD$; informally called the Bermuda dollar) is the official currency of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is subdivided into 100 cents. The Bermudian dollar is not normally traded outside Bermuda, and is pegged to the United States dollar at a one-to-one ratio. Both currencies circulate in Bermuda on an equal basis.
History
[edit]For nearly four hundred years Spanish dollars, known as "pieces of eight" were in widespread use on the world's trading routes, including the Caribbean region.[1] However, following the revolutionary wars in Latin America, the source of these silver trade coins dried up.[2] The United Kingdom had adopted a very successful gold standard in 1821, and so the year 1825 was an opportune time to introduce the British sterling coinage into all the British colonies.[2] An imperial Order in Council was passed in that year for the purposes of facilitating this aim by making sterling coinage legal tender in the colonies at the specified rate of 1 Spanish dollar to 4 shillings, 4 pence sterling.[3] As the sterling silver coins were attached to a gold standard, this exchange rate did not realistically represent the value of the silver in the Spanish dollars as compared to the value of the gold in the British gold sovereign.[4] Because of this, the order had the effect in many colonies of driving sterling coinage out of circulation, rather than encouraging its use.[5]
Remedial legislation had to be introduced in 1838 so as to change over to the more realistic rating of $1 = 4s 2d. However, in Jamaica, British Honduras, Bermuda, and later in the Bahamas also, the official rating was set aside in favour of what was known as the 'Maccaroni' tradition in which a British shilling, referred to as a 'Maccaroni', was treated as one quarter of a dollar. The common link between these four territories was the Bank of Nova Scotia which brought in the 'Maccaroni' tradition, resulting in the successful introduction of both sterling coinage and sterling accounts.[6] It wasn't however until 1 January 1842 that the authorities in Bermuda formally decided to make sterling the official currency of the colony to circulate concurrently with Doubloons (64 shillings) at the rate of $1 = 4s 2d.[6] Contrary to expectations, and unlike in the Bahamas where US dollars circulated concurrently with sterling, the Bermudans did not allow themselves to be drawn into the U. S. currency area. The Spanish dollars fell away in the 1850s but returned again in the 1870s following the international silver crisis of 1873. In 1874, the Bermuda merchants agreed unanimously to decline to accept the heavy imports of US currency except at a heavy discount, and it was then exported again.[6] And in 1876, legislation was passed to demonetise the silver dollars for fear of them returning. In 1882, the local 'legal tender act' demonetised the gold doubloon, which had in effect been the real standard in Bermuda, and this left pounds, shillings, and pence as the sole legal tender.[6]
The pound sterling remained the official currency of Bermuda until 1970, though the Government of Bermuda did issue its own pound banknotes.[7] With US and Canadian coins regularly appearing in circulation in Bermuda and the possibility of the devaluation of the pound sterling, Bermuda was compelled to adopt its own decimal currency.[8] On 6 February 1970, Bermuda introduced a new decimal currency in the form of a dollar. The nascent Bermudian dollars circulated in conjunction with the new British decimal coinage a year before it was introduced in the United Kingdom.[9] By adopting decimalisation early, Bermuda was also able to place orders for the coinage from the Royal Mint before other Commonwealth countries seeking to decimalise could.[8] The link between the Bermudian dollar and the pound sterling was not broken until 31 July 1972, which allowed Bermuda to align to a one-to-one exchange rate with the US dollar.[10] The decision for Bermuda to peg its dollar to the US dollar added convenience for the multitude of American tourists and businesses upon whom Bermuda largely relied.[11]
Since 1972, Bermudian law has required that local businesses charge prices in Bermudian dollars which, if paid in US dollars, must be accepted at a rate of 1:1.[6] Only banks are legally allowed to exchange Bermudian dollars into US dollars or other currencies, subject to a 1.25% Foreign Currency Purchase Tax (some banks also charge an exchange fee).[12]
Coins
[edit]Prior to decimalisation and conversion to the dollar, the Government of Bermuda did not issue its own coins, other than the commemorative Bermudian crowns, since the 19th Century at the latest. In 1970, the Bermuda Monetary Authority introduced coinage with denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents. From its inception, the 1-cent coin was struck out of bronze until 1988, when it was replaced with copper-plated steel. The composition of the 1-cent coin was changed to copper-plated zinc in 1991.[10] All other denominations, at the time, were minted from cupronickel. Nickel-brass 1-dollar and 5-dollar coins were issued in 1983; neither were very popular, with the 5-dollar coin eventually being withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 1990.[13] New 1-dollar coins that were thinner and one-third lighter than the 1983 issue were produced in 1988.[14] The 50-cent denomination was also phased out, with the coins being called in on 1 May 1990.[15] All denominations of Bermuda coinage depict the monarch of the United Kingdom on the obverse. From 1970 through 1985, the royal effigy by Arnold Machin was used, followed by an effigy by Raphael Maklouf from 1986 through 1998.[10] The current obverse, introduced in 1999, is the royal effigy sculpted by Ian Rank-Broadley.
Bermuda has occasionally released commemorative coins to celebrate certain events, historical milestones, flora, and fauna. These coins bear a face value, but are generally seen more as collector's items or stores of value. Notable among these are the so-called "Bermuda triangles", which are pressed on special lobed triangular planchets, are minted in gold and silver, and come in denominations divisible by three.
Coins in circulation
[edit]| Value | Composition | Mass | Diameter | Edge | Obverse[16] | Reverse[16] | Date of first minting |
Date of Withdrawal |
Date of Lapse |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cent | Bronze | 3.11 g | 19.0 mm | Plain | Elizabeth II | Wild hog | 1970 | 1987 | — |
| Copper-plated steel | 2.80 g | 1988 | 1990 | ||||||
| Copper-plated zinc | 2.50 g | 1991 | — | ||||||
| 5 cents | Cupronickel | 5.00 g | 21.2 mm | Plain | Elizabeth II | Angelfish | 1970 | — | — |
| 10 cents | 2.45 g | 17.9 mm | Milled | Bermuda Easter lilies | — | — | |||
| 25 cents | 5.92 g | 25.0 mm | Longtail in flight | — | — | ||||
| 50 cents | 12.60 g | 30.5 mm | Coat of arms of Bermuda | 1 May 1990[15] | 30 April 2000[15] | ||||
| 1 dollar | Nickel–brass | 9.50 g | 22.5 mm | Milled and inscribed with "Bermuda Monetary Authority" |
Elizabeth II | Bermuda map and cahow | 1983 | — | — |
| 7.56 g | 26.0 mm | Alternating plain and milled | Bermuda-fitted dinghy | 1988 | — | — | |||
| 5 dollars | 12.5 g | 25.5 mm | Milled and inscribed with "Bermuda Monetary Authority" |
Bermuda map and onion | 1983 | 1 January 1990[13] | 31 December 1999[13] |
Banknotes
[edit]In the 20th century, its pound notes were issued in all denominations (and the only coins used were UK ones). In 1970, the government introduced dollar notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 dollars. From 1974, the Bermuda Monetary Authority took over paper money production, introducing 100-dollar notes in 1982 and 2 dollars in 1988, when the 1 dollar was replaced by a coin. 1970 dollar notes are all printed with Bermuda Government across the top. Later notes substitute Bermuda Monetary Authority. All of the "legacy" banknotes were withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 2014, but still able to be exchanged for new banknotes for 10 years.[17][18] Including the original 1970 series, all horizontal-style banknotes will be phased out in favour of the vertical, 2009 series.[19]
| 2000 series | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick No. |
Image | Value | Dimensions[20] | Main Colours[21] | Description[20][22] | Date of | ||||
| Obverse | Reverse | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark | First printing | Withdrawal | ||||
| 50 | [1] | [2] | $2 | 140 × 68 mm | Blue and green on multicolour | Elizabeth II and seahorse | Map of Bermuda and Royal Naval Dockyard | Tuna fish | 24 May 2000 | 1 January 2014 |
| 51 | [3] | [4] | $5 | Purple and burgundy on multicolour | Elizabeth II and Conch shell | St. David's Lighthouse and town of St. George's | ||||
| 52 | [5] | [6] | $10 | Dark blue and mauve on multicolour | Elizabeth II and Oleander flowers | Flatt's Inlet, cahow, and seashell | ||||
| 53 | [7] | [8] | $20 | Green and red on multicolour | Elizabeth II and Burnaby House | Ely's Harbour and Somerset Bridge | ||||
| 54 | $50 | Bluish black, red and brown on multicolour | Elizabeth II and Commissioner's House | Map of Bermuda and Scuba divers exploring shipwreck | ||||||
| 55 | [9] | [10] | $100 | Red-orange and brown on multicolour | Elizabeth II and Bermudiana flowers | House of Assembly of Bermuda and Camden House | ||||
| These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre (18 pixel per inch). For table standards, see the banknote specification table. | ||||||||||
| Commemorative series | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick No. |
Image | Value | Dimensions[20] | Main colour | Description[20][22] | Date of | ||||
| Obverse | Reverse | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark | Printing | Withdrawal | ||||
| 40 | [11] | [12] | $50 | 140 × 68 mm | Multicolour | Elizabeth II and Commissioner's House Christopher Columbus Quincentenary 1492–1992 |
Map of Bermuda and scuba divers exploring shipwreck | Tuna fish | 12 October 1992 | 1 January 2014 |
| 46 | [13] | [14] | $100 | Elizabeth II and Bermudiana flowers 25th Anniversary Bermuda Monetary Authority 1969–1994 |
House of Assembly of Bermuda and Camden House | 20 February 1994 | ||||
| 47 | [15] | [16] | $20 | Elizabeth II and Burnaby House To commemorate the opening of the 'Burnaby House' by the Bermuda Monetary Authority |
Ely's Harbour and Somerset Bridge | 17 January 1997 | ||||
| 56 | [17] | [18] | $50 | Elizabeth II and Commissioner's House To Commemorate the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II 1953–2003 |
Map of Bermuda and scuba divers exploring shipwreck | 2 June 2003 | ||||
| These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre (18 pixel per inch). For table standards, see the banknote specification table. | ||||||||||
Redesign
[edit]In 2008, it was announced that banknotes would be redesigned in celebration of Bermuda's 400th anniversary, the first redesign since the launch of the dollar.[23] The new designs were described as "distinctly Bermudian",[24] with Queen Elizabeth II being relegated to a minor position,[25] using a royal effigy by Machin.[26] They feature themes and scenes of maritime Bermuda, and like their predecessors are coloured by value. The serial number prefix on the first million notes is that of a Bermuda onion; subsequent notes will bear a conventional prefix. The series was issued on 9 March 2009.[27] The Bermuda Monetary Authority was awarded "Bank Note of the Year" by the International Banknote Society for the design of the new $2 banknote.[28] The 2009-series $50 banknote was modified in August 2012 to depict the correct species of longtail native to Bermuda.[29] Originally, it erroneously depicted the red-billed tropicbird and was changed to the indigenous white-tailed tropicbird.
| 2009 series | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pick No. |
Image | Value | Dimensions[30] | Main Colour | Description[31] | Date of | |||||
| Obverse | Reverse | Obverse | Reverse | Watermark | First printing | Issue | |||||
| 57 | [19] | $2 | 140 × 68 mm | Turquoise | Bluebird (Sialia sialis) | Dockyard Clock Tower and statue of Neptune | Hibiscus flower | 1 January 2009 | 9 March 2009[27] | ||
| 58 | $5 | Pink | Blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) | Horseshoe Bay Beach and Somerset Bridge | |||||||
| 59 | [20] | [21] | $10 | Purple | Blue angelfish (Holacanthus bermudensis) | Deliverance and Commissioner's House | |||||
| 60 | [22] | [23] | $20 | Green | Whistling frog (Eleutherodactylus johnstonei) | Gibbs Hill Lighthouse and St. Mark's Church | |||||
| 61 | [24] | [25] | $50 | Yellow | Longtail (Phaethon lepturus) | St. Peter's Church | |||||
| 62 | [26] | [27] | $100 | Red | Red cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) on a branch of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) | House of Assembly of Bermuda and Bermuda petrel (Pterodroma cahow) | |||||
| These images are to scale at 0.7 pixel per millimetre (18 pixel per inch). For table standards, see the banknote specification table. | |||||||||||
| Current BMD exchange rates | |
|---|---|
| From Google Finance: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY |
| From Yahoo! Finance: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY |
| From XE.com: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY |
| From OANDA: | AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD KRW EUR JPY |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Chalmers 1893, p. 152.
- ^ a b Chalmers 1893, p. 23.
- ^ Chalmers 1893, p. 158.
- ^ Chalmers 1893, pp. 24–25.
- ^ Chalmers 1893, p. 25.
- ^ a b c d e "ExchangeRate.com - Currency Information Bermudian dollar". www.exchangerate.com. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ Standard Catalog of World Paper Money 2009, pp. 113–114.
- ^ a b "Taking note of decimal currency, 25 years on". The Royal Gazette. 7 February 1995. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
- ^ Haney, Thomas V (3 May 1970). "Bermuda's Decimal Pieces". The New York Times. p. 131.
- ^ a b c Standard Catalog of World Coins 2010, p. 205.
- ^ Kennedy 2005, pp. 149–150.
- ^ "Foreign Currency Purchase Tax | Government of Bermuda". www.gov.bm. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Calling in of the 1983 Five Dollar Coin" (PDF). Laws of Bermuda. Government of Bermuda. 17 November 1989. GN 654/1989. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ "Bermuda: First $2 Bill and New $1 Coin Unveiled". The Numismatist. 102 (2). American Numismatic Association: 199. February 1989.
- ^ a b c "Calling in of the One Dollar Note and the Fifty Cent Circulation Coin" (PDF). Laws of Bermuda. Government of Bermuda. 30 March 1990. GN 200/1990. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ a b "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 1988, pp. 4–5.
- ^ Bell, Jonathan (6 June 2013). "Old style bank notes to be retired". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ Bell, Jonathan (28 November 2013). "Cash in those old notes". Royal Gazette. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
- ^ "The Bermuda Monetary Authority Calls in Old Bermuda Banknotes" (PDF) (Press release). Bermuda Monetary Authority. 5 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 September 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Bermuda Monetary Authority (Currency Forms and Designs, etc.) Regulations 1992". Government of Bermuda. 9 October 1992. BR 42/1992. Archived from the original on 5 September 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ^ Standard Catalog of World Paper Money 2009, pp. 117–118.
- ^ a b "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 1988, pp. 2–3.
- ^ Wright, Alex (22 January 2008). "BMA to issue new-look banknotes". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ "Notes of Distinction" (PDF). Bermuda Monetary Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2009.
- ^ "Breaking News: Queen moved as main image of Bermuda bank notes". The Royal Gazette. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ Julia Lee, Stamp Magazine #75-11, November 2009, page 28, confirmed by pictures of the notes reproduced on "Bermuda issues new note series", Banknote News, 28 March 2009. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- ^ a b "Bermuda Monetary Authority Releases New Redesigned Banknote Series" (PDF) (Press release). Bermuda Monetary Authority. 9 March 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ Doyle, Connor (23 June 2012). "BMA accepts international best banknote award for the $2 bill". The Royal Gazette. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ Burgess, Don (1 August 2012). "New $50 depicts correct longtail". Bermuda Sun. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- ^ "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 2007, p. 2.
- ^ "Bermuda Monetary Authority" 2007, pp. 3–4.
Sources
[edit]- "Bermuda Monetary Act 1969" (PDF). Government of Bermuda. 20 February 1969. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
- "Bermuda Monetary Authority (Currency Forms and Designs, etc.) Regulations 1988" (PDF). Government of Bermuda. 8 July 1988. BR 44/1988. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- "Bermuda Monetary Authority (Currency Forms and Designs, etc.) Regulations 2007" (PDF). Government of Bermuda. 22 October 2007. pp. 3–4. BR 92/2007. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
- Chalmers, Robert (1893). A History of Currency in the British Colonies. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
- Cuhaj, George S, ed. (2010). Standard Catalog of World Coins: 1901–2000 (37th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-89689-814-1.
- Cuhaj, George S, ed. (2009). Standard Catalog of World Paper Money: 1961–present (15th ed.). Krause Publications. ISBN 978-0-89689-837-0.
- Kennedy, Neil MacRae (2005). "Bermuda". Britain and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History. Vol. 1. ABC-CLIO. pp. 147–150. ISBN 1-85109-431-8.
External links
[edit]- Bermuda Monetary Authority
- Essential facts about the Bermuda dollar (geared toward overseas visitors)
Bermudian dollar
View on GrokipediaOverview
Currency characteristics
The Bermudian dollar (BMD) is the official currency of Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic, having been introduced in 1970 to replace the previous pound-based system.[1] It is abbreviated as BMD and represented by the symbol BD, with the latter distinguished from other dollar currencies through contextual usage, such as in Bermudian financial documents or transactions.[1] The currency is subdivided into 100 cents, facilitating standard decimal-based denominations for coins and notes.[1] Issued and regulated by the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), established in 1969, the BMD serves as the primary medium of exchange under the BMA's mandate to maintain monetary stability.[3] In everyday transactions, the BMD circulates interchangeably with the US dollar (USD) at a 1:1 parity, requiring no formal exchange for local use and allowing businesses, shops, and services to accept either currency seamlessly.[9] As legal tender, the BMD is recognized exclusively within Bermuda, where it cannot be readily exchanged or cashed by foreign banks abroad due to limited international convertibility and Bermuda's exchange control regulations.[1] This domestic focus underscores its role as a stable medium in Bermuda's economy, which relies heavily on tourism (accounting for a significant portion of GDP through US visitors), international finance and reinsurance, and trade; the currency's peg to the USD helps mitigate volatility in these sectors.[10] Inflation has remained low and stable, influenced by the peg, with the annual rate at 1.7% as of June 2025.[11]Peg to the US dollar
The Bermudian dollar (BMD) was pegged to the US dollar (USD) at a fixed exchange rate of 1:1 on 31 July 1972, following amendments to the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969 that enabled the shift from the previous link to the British pound sterling.[4] This change was driven by the UK's abolition of the Sterling Area in 1972 and Bermuda's heavy reliance on trade and tourism with the United States, which accounts for the majority of its economic interactions, thereby supporting the growth of tourism and the burgeoning international business sector.[4] The peg provided a stable monetary foundation, eliminating exchange rate risks for US visitors and businesses, and positioned Bermuda as an attractive offshore financial hub.[1] The Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), established in 1969, maintains the peg through a currency board-like system, backing all issued BMD with equivalent foreign exchange reserves, primarily in USD, and aligning domestic interest rates with those set by the US Federal Reserve.[12] Without an independent central bank or active monetary policy tools, the BMA ensures convertibility at the fixed rate by managing note issuance and redemption, while local banks adjust lending rates in tandem with US trends to prevent arbitrage.[13] Exchange controls further reinforce this mechanism: only licensed banks are authorized to convert BMD to foreign currencies, and a 1.25% Foreign Currency Purchase Tax applies to such transactions by residents, discouraging outflows and preserving reserve adequacy.[14] The BMD's limited convertibility means it is not traded on international forex markets, ensuring no fluctuations from speculative pressures.[1] This fixed peg delivers economic stability that bolsters Bermuda's offshore financial sector, which dominates the economy and manages trillions in assets through insurance and reinsurance activities, as well as tourism, which generates significant foreign exchange despite comprising 4.6% of direct GDP contribution as of 2023.[15] It facilitates seamless import/export trade, with over 80% of imports from the US, by mirroring USD pricing and reducing transaction costs.[16] However, the arrangement imports US inflation trends, keeping Bermuda's rate low but exposing the economy to Federal Reserve policy shifts, such as interest rate hikes that can tighten local credit conditions without domestic countermeasures.[17] This vulnerability was evident in recent years, where US monetary tightening contributed to higher borrowing costs in Bermuda, potentially dampening growth in interest-sensitive sectors like real estate and consumer spending.[18]History
Colonial period
During the early colonial period following Bermuda's settlement in 1609, the island's first distinct coinage consisted of silver "hog money" minted in London in 1615 and/or 1616 for the Somers Islands Company. These coins, in denominations of twopence, threepence, sixpence, and one shilling, bore an image of a wild hog on the obverse—symbolizing the feral pigs introduced by Spanish explorers in the 16th century—and a sailing ship on the reverse, reflecting Bermuda's maritime orientation. Hog money circulated primarily during the early 17th century alongside foreign coins.[1][19] Bermuda's economy, centered on shipping, privateering, and trade with the Spanish Americas, led to the widespread adoption of the Spanish dollar (or "piece of eight") as the dominant currency from the 17th century through the early 19th century. This silver coin, valued for its consistent purity and abundance from Spanish colonial mints, facilitated commerce in salt, shipbuilding materials, and other goods across the Atlantic. Local merchants and the colonial government accepted Spanish dollars interchangeably with British coinage, though shortages often prompted the use of commodity money like tobacco. By the 1790s, supplementary copper token coins—cartwheel-style pieces issued privately in Birmingham, England—entered circulation to address small-change needs in local trade.[20][21] In 1842, amid efforts to standardize colonial finances, Bermuda formally adopted British sterling as its official currency, with the Spanish dollar fixed at a value of 4 shillings 4 pence (approximately $1 = 0.2167 pounds sterling at the time). This rate reflected the traditional valuation of the Spanish dollar in British possessions and allowed sterling coins to circulate concurrently with lingering Spanish silver. British gold and silver coins became full legal tender under the Currency Act of 1861, gradually phasing out foreign alternatives as trade patterns shifted toward the British Empire. The sterling system supported Bermuda's growing role in transatlantic shipping and early tourism, which emerged in the mid-19th century with steamship connections to North America.[12][1] By the mid-20th century, Bermuda's increasing economic autonomy and heavy reliance on U.S. tourism—particularly the post-World War II boom that drew American visitors for its beaches and resorts—exposed limitations of the non-decimal sterling system. Discussions on decimalization gained momentum in the 1960s, driven by alignment with the United Kingdom's planned 1971 reform and the practical need for compatibility with U.S. dollars in a tourism-driven economy where over 80% of visitors came from the United States. These pressures underscored the island's transition from imperial trade dependencies toward a more independent monetary framework.[1][22]Establishment in 1970
The Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969 established the Bermudian dollar (BMD) as the official currency of Bermuda, dividing it into 100 cents and authorizing the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA) to issue notes and coins.[23] This legislation took effect on 6 February 1970, marking the transition from the pound sterling-based system to a decimalized currency aligned with Bermuda's growing economic ties to the United States.[23] The BMD replaced the Bermudian pound at a fixed parity of 1 BMD equaling 8 shillings and 4 pence sterling, which corresponded directly to the US dollar at the prevailing exchange rate, facilitating smoother trade and tourism.[1] The introduction of the BMD was driven by Bermuda's status as a self-governing British Overseas Territory, where full political independence was not pursued, but greater economic autonomy was sought to reduce reliance on the UK's Sterling Area, which was set to dissolve in 1972.[24] This shift aimed to enhance economic sovereignty by pegging to the US dollar, reflecting Bermuda's proximity to the US and its tourism-dependent economy, which attracted a significant number of American visitors.[1] The decimalization also modernized the monetary system, replacing the cumbersome shillings and pence with a structure more compatible with international standards.[12] On the launch date, the BMA simultaneously issued the first coins and banknotes to enable immediate circulation and localization of the currency. Coins were denominated in cents at 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50, with the 1-cent piece in bronze and the others in cupro-nickel.[25] Banknotes began at $1, $5, $10, $20, and $50, featuring designs with Queen Elizabeth II and Bermudian motifs such as sailboats.[26] During the initial transition period, both the new BMD and old sterling notes and coins remained legal tender, with banks closing for three days to manage the exchange; full demonetization of sterling occurred by 30 June 1970.[27]Coins
Denominations and materials
The circulating coins of the Bermudian dollar consist of denominations valued at 1 cent, 5 cents, 10 cents, 25 cents, and 1 dollar. These coins are designed for everyday use and feature specifications optimized for durability and recognition. The following table summarizes their current compositions, diameters, and approximate weights (based on recent issues as of 2009 for 1 cent):| Denomination | Composition | Diameter (mm) | Weight (g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 cent | Copper-plated zinc | 19 | 2.5 |
| 5 cents | Cupronickel | 21.6 | 5.0 |
| 10 cents | Cupronickel | 18.5 | 2.5 |
| 25 cents | Cupronickel | 24.5 | 6.25 |
| 1 dollar | Nickel-brass | 26 | 7.56 |
