CBCS Wins 2025 IBNS Bank Note of the Year Award

The 200 Gulden Banknote: 

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) has selected the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) to receive the prestigious 2025 Bank Note of the Year Award for its 200 Caribische Gulden – the first time CBCS has won the award. The annual award recognizes an exceptional banknote based on the artistic merit, design, use of color, contrast, balance, and security features of each nomination. 

Of the nearly 100 new banknotes released worldwide in 2025, only 17 qualified for member nomination. The modern 200 Gulden note was the overwhelming favorite among voting IBNS members. 

The 200 banknote is part of a new series of five denominations introduced in 2025 in Curaçao and Sint Maarten – all inspired by the “World Under the Sea.” 

The face of each note is horizontally oriented and features marine life native to the islands, while the reverse is vertically oriented and highlights historical and cultural landmarks. 

The winning note is the largest denomination in the series. It is predominantly purple and features longsnout seahorses and a blue-to-green color-changing giant tun shell on the face. The back of the note showcases the iconic Queen Emma Bridge. 

The full series is printed on Crane Currency’s durable ENDURANCE™ substrate. Crane was a trusted CBCS partner during the development and implementation of the new banknote series. All five banknotes include the integrated 3D micro-optic security feature MOTION SURFACE® and RAPID® HD Detect, as well as watermarks, high-relief printing, color-changing ink, iridescent print, and more. 

The IBNS award follows other recognitions for the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, including being voted the region’s best at the 2025 HSP Conference in Brazil and being named Currency Manager of the Year 2026 by Central Banking.