The 200-gulden note from Curaçao and Sint Maarten has been named the “Banknote of the Year” for 2025 by the prestigious International Bank Note Society (IBNS).
This accolade highlights the note’s excellence in design, colour and innovative security features, which saw it outshine around 100 new banknotes issued globally that year.

Highlights of the Winning Banknote (200 Gulden)

    Theme: Part of a new series themed ‘World Under the Sea’, the 200 Gulden note features a predominantly purple colour scheme.
    Design: The front of the note is horizontally oriented, depicting long-snouted seahorses, whilst the reverse is vertical, featuring the iconic Queen Emma Bridge.
    Security and Material: It utilises advanced security features and a design that celebrates native marine life, reinforcing the trend towards high-security polymer/hybrid banknotes.
    Issuer: The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) received the award for the first time in history.

Background to the Award

    The IBNS holds this award annually to recognise banknotes that combine artistic merit with cutting-edge security technology.
    Voting is carried out by members of the society, and the nominated banknotes must have been issued for the first time that year.
    In the 2024 edition, the Bermuda 5-dollar note was the winner.

The success of Curaçao and Sint Maarten in 2025 reflects the growing emphasis on vibrant design and enhanced security in modern numismatics.