British West Indies Dollar Overview and Background

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A close-up of gold-colored British pound and pence coins, showcasing intricate details.
Credit: pexels.com, A close-up of gold-colored British pound and pence coins, showcasing intricate details.

The British West Indies dollar was a currency used in several islands in the Caribbean. It was introduced in 1949.

The British West Indies dollar was pegged to the British pound at a rate of 4 British shillings and 2 pence to 1 British West Indies dollar. This peg was maintained until 1965.

The British West Indies dollar was used in various islands, including Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent.

History of the British West Indies Dollar

The British West Indies dollar has a fascinating history. It was introduced in 1949 as a replacement for the British West Indies currency board's notes.

The British West Indies dollar was pegged to the British pound sterling at a fixed exchange rate of 4.8 to 1. This exchange rate remained in place until the currency was eventually phased out in 1965.

The British West Indies dollar was used in several Caribbean islands, including Barbados, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Timeline of the Currency

Credit: youtube.com, 2 Cents - Elizabeth II (1st portrait) - Eastern Caribbean States - 1955

The British West Indies dollar was introduced in 1935 at the rate of $4.80 per pound sterling.

Before 1935, sterling circulated throughout the British West Indies, and in some eastern territories, notes were issued by private banks denominated in dollars equivalent to 4 shillings 2 pence.

The BWI$ existed only as banknotes until 1955, when coins were introduced, denominated in cents, with each cent worth one halfpenny in sterling.

In 1950, the first issues of BWI$ banknotes were made for all participating colonies, in the name of the "British Caribbean Territories, Eastern Group", in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 100 dollars.

These notes replaced all earlier issues in 1951 and bore the portrait of King George VI.

The BWI$ was the currency of the unitary West Indies Federation from 1958 until 1965, when it was replaced by the East Caribbean dollar.

In 1964, Trinidad and Tobago withdrew from the currency union and adopted the Trinidad and Tobago dollar, marking the beginning of the end for the BWI$.

The last BWI$ banknotes were issued between 1953 and 1964, bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

Economic Impact

Credit: youtube.com, The West Indies and the Southern colonies | AP US History | Khan Academy

The British West Indies Dollar had a significant economic impact on the region. It was introduced in 1949 to replace the British pound, and it remained in circulation until 1972.

The currency was pegged to the US dollar, which helped stabilize the economy. This peg was maintained until 1972 when the British West Indies Dollar was replaced by the Eastern Caribbean dollar.

The British West Indies Dollar was widely accepted in the region, and it facilitated trade and commerce. Its introduction also helped to reduce the region's dependence on the British pound.

The currency was managed by the British West Indies Currency Authority, which was responsible for maintaining the peg to the US dollar. This authority also implemented policies to control inflation and stabilize the currency.

The British West Indies Dollar played an important role in the region's economic development, particularly in the areas of trade and commerce. Its legacy can still be seen in the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which is still in use today.

Physical Characteristics of the 50 Cent Coin

Men in British Military Costumes Sitting by the Table
Credit: pexels.com, Men in British Military Costumes Sitting by the Table

The 50 Cent coin is a fascinating piece of currency history. It was introduced in 1951 as a replacement for the 10 cent coin, which was removed from circulation.

The coin was made of a brass alloy, which is a mixture of copper and zinc. This composition gave the coin its distinctive golden color.

The 50 Cent coin had a diameter of 30.5 millimeters and a thickness of 2.5 millimeters. These dimensions made it a compact and convenient coin to carry.

The coin's design featured a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse, or front side. The reverse, or back side, featured a portrait of a sailor, representing the Royal Navy.

British West Indies Dollar

The British West Indies dollar was introduced in 1935 at the rate of $4.80 per pound sterling or $1 = 4 shillings 2 pence.

Before its introduction, sterling circulated throughout the British West Indies, and some eastern territories issued their own dollar-denominated notes.

Credit: youtube.com, BRITISH CARIBBEAN. Currency Board. 1 Dollar, 14.7.1948. P-Unlisted. Front Artist's Rendition. PMG

The BWI$ was one of the many experimental political and economic ventures tested by the British government to form a uniform system within their British West Indies territories.

The ISO 4217 code of the currency was "XBWD", and the symbol "BWI$" was frequently used, with the currency being known verbally as the "Beewee" dollar.

Introduction to the Currency

The British West Indies dollar, also known as the BWI$, was a currency used in the British West Indies territories from 1935.

It was introduced at the rate of $4.80 per pound sterling or $1 = 4 shillings 2 pence.

Before the BWI$ was introduced, sterling circulated throughout the British West Indies, and some territories even had their own private banks issuing dollar-denominated notes.

The BWI$ was one of the many experimental political and economic ventures tested by the British government to form a uniform system within their British West Indies territories.

It had an ISO 4217 code of "XBWD" and was known verbally as the "Beewee" (slang for British West Indies) dollar.

Mintage and Distribution

Close-up of 1964 British Half Crown Coin
Credit: pexels.com, Close-up of 1964 British Half Crown Coin

The British West Indies Dollar was a widely used currency in the region, and its mintage and distribution were quite interesting.

The British West Indies Dollar was first introduced in 1949, and it was initially issued by the British West Indies Currency Authority.

Only one design was used for the British West Indies Dollar, featuring a portrait of King George VI on the obverse side and a design of a ship on the reverse side.

The British West Indies Dollar was widely distributed across the region, with banks and financial institutions playing a key role in its circulation.

The British West Indies Dollar was eventually replaced by the Eastern Caribbean Dollar in 1965, marking the end of its circulation in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

What currency replaced the British West Indian pound?

The British West Indies dollar, not pound, replaced the British West Indies dollar in 1965. The Eastern Caribbean dollar took its place, introduced by the Eastern Caribbean Currency Authority.

What is the currency in the West Indies?

The official currency in the West Indies is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (XCD), which has been in use since 1965. It's pegged to the US dollar at a rate of approximately 1 XCD = $0.37 USD.

Tasha Kautzer

Senior Writer

Tasha Kautzer is a versatile and accomplished writer with a diverse portfolio of articles. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she has successfully covered a wide range of topics, from the lives of notable individuals to the achievements of esteemed institutions. Her work spans the globe, delving into the realms of Norwegian billionaires, the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, and the experiences of Norwegian emigrants to the United States.

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