WILLEMSTAD - The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) recently announced the approval of the one and five guilder coins, signifying the successful conclusion of the design phase for these currency denominations. 

Despite this progress, the design details for both the coins and banknotes of the Caribbean guilder are still shrouded in secrecy. In a mid-August statement, the CBCS emphasized that withholding the design is a precautionary measure to thwart criminal efforts to circulate counterfeit money concurrently with the introduction of the Caribbean guilder. The bank expressed concern, noting, "Given the need for the public to acclimate to the arrival and design of the new guilder, immediate recognition of counterfeit money might be challenging." 

Earlier reports suggested that the American company Crane Currency is entrusted with printing the banknotes, while the Canadian Royal Canadian Mint is tasked with producing the coins. The responsibility for determining the design of the new currency rests with the Central Bank. 

In a recent announcement in early January, the CBCS disclosed that the introduction of the Caribbean guilder is subject to another delay. The revised date for the currency's official introduction is now set for March 31, 2025.