Jamaican dollar

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jamaican dollar

The Jamaican dollar is the official currency of Jamaica - the place where it is issued - since 1969. Its abbreviation is the dollar sign $, or J $, JA $ to differentiate it from the US dollar and other types of dollars.

Origins and history of the Jamaican dollar

Before the Jamaican dollar, put into circulation in 1969, the currency circulating in Jamaica was the pound sterling.

On January 30, 1968, the House of Representatives of Jamaica unanimously approved the introduction of the dollar, which would replace the Jamaican pound.

The Committee also recommended that, as far as possible, the new coins should be of the same size and weight as the denominations in pounds, shillings and pennies, to which the public had become accustomed. As for the tickets, it was recommended that portraits of national figures should replace the portrait of the queen and that the motto should be incorporated into the design of the new banknotes. It was also considered convenient that the new banknotes had the same size and the same basic colors.

In June 1994, the Council of Ministers approved a new monetary structure according to which: the $ 5 bill would be replaced by a currency; the $ 1 for a 25 cents, the 10 cents would have a new look and the 5 cents would be abandoned. As such, the new structure would include coins of 1, 10 and 25 cents, 1 and $ 5, while the bills would be 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500 $.

In 1999 it was decided to coin another banknote and a coin of 10. In March 2000, a $ 1000 bill was put into circulation and in July of the same year, the $ 20 bill was replaced by a coin. It carried the portrait of the national hero Marcus Garvey and was the first bimetallic coin to be produced by Jamaica.

Dollars and coins of the Jamaican dollar in use

As for the tickets, the 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 dollars issued by the Bank of Jamaica are in circulation (Bank of Jamaica).

Currently, coins of 1, 10 and 25 cents and of 1, 5, 10 and 20 Jamaican dollars circulate.

 

Did you know?

  • The first coins used in Jamaica were the maravedíes, copper and Spanish.
  • The currency of Jamaica can be called both Jamaican dollar and Jamaican dollar, in the same way that the nationality is Jamaican or Jamaican.
  • Jamaica achieved its independence in 1962.
  • The official language of Jamaica is English.

Symbol:

$, J$ o JA$

ISO:

JMD

Date of issue:

1969, Jamaica

Authority:

Bank of Jamaica

Frequent changes:

Other currencies of the world:

Why change currency with us rather than your bank

    Global Exchange Global Exchange     Your high-street bank
Variety of currencies   We have more than 60 currencies. We are specialists.   Only major currencies. Travel money is just a secondary business for banks.
Availability of currencies   Immediate availability of currencies in our branches. Click and collect.   If they can actually get your exotic currency, prepare for a couple of visits to your bank before you can have the money on your hands.
Expenses   We only charge the exchange rate. If you book online you have the best price.   The bank sets its own margin plus a commission.
Different denominations available   At Global Exchange, you’ll get a variety of banknotes with different denominations, adapted to all your payment needs.   No. Prepare for refusals and complaints in foreign languages when paying with «big» banknotes abroad.
Delivery options   Order online to benefit from a price reduction and collect at the airport.   You will have to visit your bank twice: once to order your currency and wait for it to come. The second visit to collect it.