In 1998 the Central Bank of Belize, as a commitment to the continuous enhancement of the security of the country’s banknotes, upgraded the 1990 issue to contain features that makes it easy to check the authenticity of the note, hence making it more secure against counterfeiting. The two group sizes and the applied metallic features make it easy to distinguish between higher and lower denominations.
Theme: Birds of Belize
Front Image
Colours: Blue, purple, and red.
On the right are the novel numbering and the see-through feature which, when held up to the light, forms the complete design of the Keel-billed toucan. In the centre is a new portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, a design in blue and gold of the queen Trigger-fish, the queen Angel-fish, Belize's Coat of Arms and the printed metallic feature. On the upper left are the Jade Head and a hologram in the shape of a toucan and in the lower left corner is the printed metallic feature.
Hologram with Intaglio OverprintApplied metallic feature applies increased security to the banknotes and will appear as matt black when colour-copied. This hologram is in the shape of a toucan bird.
Windowed Security ThreadThe windowed security thread comes to the surface at regular intervals so that its metallic sheen may be seen.
WatermarkA watermark is a recognizable image formed as the paper is manufactured, providing built-in security to Belize’s currency.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
The main picture on the reverse of the note shows some of the country’s wide variety of birds. These include the Jabiru stork, Jabiru mycteria, which is the Central Bank of Belize’s logo, the Red footed booby, Sula sula, the King vulture, Sarcoramphus papa, the magnificent Frigate bird, Fregata magnificens, the Brown pelican, Pelecanus occidentalis, and one of Belize’s larger Mealy or Blue Crown parrots, Amazona farinosa.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Theme: Bridges of Belize
Front Image
Colours: Burgundy, pink, and olive green
On the right shows the novel numbering and the see-through feature which, when held up to the light, forms the complete design of the decorative ironwork on the rail of the Belize City Swing Bridge. In the centre is a new portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, a design in blue and gold of the queen Trigger-fish, the queen Angel-fish, Belize's Coat of Arms and the printed metallic feature. The vignette at the left of the note shows the swing bridge opened to allow a typical boat to pass through; above the vignette is a green foil Angel fish with the Jade Head intaglio overprint.
HologramApplied metallic feature applies increased security to the banknotes and will appear as matt black when colour-copied. The hologram on the $50 banknote is in the shape of an angel fish.
Windowed Security ThreadThe windowed security thread comes to the surface at regular intervals so that its metallic sheen may be seen.
WatermarkA watermark is a recognizable image formed as the paper is manufactured, providing built-in security to Belize’s currency.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Colours: Burgundy and pink
The main picture on the back of the note illustrates the Belize City Swing Bridge, now seen from water level showing the machinery beneath. On the right is the hand-operated mechanism of the swing bridge. In the background is a view of the magnificent Hawksworth suspension bridge which is located in the Cayo District and spans the Mopan River.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Theme: Animals of Belize
Front Image
Colours: Brown, chestnut, and orange
On the right shows the novel numbering and the see-through feature which, when held up to the light, forms the complete design of the head of the Tapir, Tapirus bairdii, National Animal of Belize. In the centre is a new portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, a design in blue and gold of the queen Trigger-fish, the queen Angel-fish and Belize's Coat of Arms. The vignette at on the left shows the jaguar (one of the most majestic animals) with the Jade Head in the upper left corner and the Silver fish in the lower left corner
Windowed Security ThreadThe windowed security thread comes to the surface at regular intervals so that its metallic sheen may be seen.
WatermarkA watermark is a recognizable image formed as the paper is manufactured, providing built-in security to Belize’s currency.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Colours: Brown and orange
The main picture shows some of Belize’s most interesting animals. These consist of one of the many species of native bat, Artibeus spp, the Howler monkey, Alouatta pigra, the Anteater, Tamandua mexicana, the Kinkajou or night-walker, Potos flavus, the Tayra or bush-dog, Eira barbara, the White-tail deer, Odocoileus virginianus, the Peccary, Tayassu tajacu, and the head of the jaguar, Pantheraonca.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Actual Size: 140mm x 70mm
Theme: Buildings of Belize
Front Image
Colours: Black, green, and ochre
On the right shows the novel numbering and the see-through feature which, when held up to the light, forms the complete design of the Clock Tower housed in the Belize Court House as it appeared around 1910. In the centre is a new portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, a design in blue and gold of the queen Trigger-fish, the queen Angel-fish and Belize's Coat of Arms. The vignette on the left shows the Clock Tower of the Belize City Court House building with the Jade Head in the upper left corner and the Silver fish in the lower left corner.
Windowed Security ThreadThe windowed security thread comes to the surface at regular intervals so that its metallic sheen may be seen.
WatermarkA watermark is a recognizable image formed as the paper is manufactured, providing built-in security to Belize’s currency.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Colours: Black and red
The main picture on the reverse of the note shows three historical buildings of Belize City, as they appeared around 1910. The Court House in the centre of the design was partially destroyed by fire in 1918 and the Clock Tower had to be replaced. On the right is St John’s Cathedral, the first Protestant Episcopal Church founded in Spanish America. On the left is Government House, which was the residence of governors during the Colonial period.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Actual Size: 140mm x 70mm
Theme: St. George’s Caye
Front Image
Colours: Red, carmine, and orange
On the right shows the novel numbering and the see-through feature which, when held up to the light, forms the complete design of HMS “Merlin” a battleship which participated in the Battle of St. George’s Caye in 1798. In the centre is a new portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, a design in blue and gold of the queen Trigger-fish, the queen Angel-fish and Belize's Coat of Arms. The vignette at the left shows the relief of Thomas Potts from the medallion on his tomb which was once situated on St George’s Caye with the Jade Head at the upper left corner and the Silver fish at the lower left corner.
Windowed Security ThreadThe windowed security thread comes to the surface at regular intervals so that its metallic sheen may be seen.
WatermarkA watermark is a recognizable image formed as the paper is manufactured, providing built-in security to Belize’s currency.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Actual Size: 140mm x 70mm
Theme: Maya Ruins of Belize
Front Image
Colours: Violet, deep mauve, and blue
On the right are the novel numbering and the see-through feature which, when held up to the light, forms the complete design of the craving of an arch from the site of Xunantunich, situated in the Cayo District. In the centre is a new portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, a design in blue and gold of the queen Trigger-fish, the queen Angel-fish, and Belize's Coat of Arms. The vignette at the left is part of the stela from the site of Nim Li Punit (the Ketchi translation for Big Hat), located in the Toledo District. The stela depicts two figures in an offertory scene and also has Maya inscriptions. The Jade Head is at the upper left corner and the Silver fish at the lower left corner.
Windowed Security ThreadThe windowed security thread comes to the surface at regular intervals so that its metallic sheen may be seen.
WatermarkA watermark is a recognizable image formed as the paper is manufactured, providing built-in security to Belize’s currency.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.
Colours: Violet and carmine
The main picture is a combination of scenes from three Maya sites, seen from different angles. On the left is the site of Altun Ha, situated in the Belize District. This site is famous for its Jade Head of the Sun God, Kinich Ahau. In the centre is the restored site of Xunantunich in the Cayo District, and on the right is the site of Lubaantun situated in the Toledo District.
See Through FeatureThis feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note.