No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsCosta RicaCosta Rica’s new coin to enter circulation

Costa Rica’s new coin to enter circulation

A new coin that celebrates Costa Rica’s bicentennial will enter circulation this week, AmeliaRueda.com reports.

The Central Bank (BCCR) has minted about 5 million of the coins, each valued at 500 colónes (about $0.80). They have been distributed to commercial banks, where they can then enter circulation.

“It fulfills our dream that Costa Ricans have in their hands a piece of the history that we are building together,” President Carlos Alvarado said of the new coin. “Five million coins will be issued to remind each person of our history, struggles, achievements and aspirations.

“Let us thus celebrate our bicentennial, materializing in a small coin that Costa Rica is made of biodiversity, great legacies and above all: freedom, peace and democracy.”

Among the unique designs on the coin, Costa Ricans will find:

  • The independence torch.
  • A map of Costa Rica, which for the first time in a coin includes Isla del Coco.
  • A bimetallic design, a first in Costa Rica.
  • A lenticular metal print that displays “500” or “BCCR,” depending on the angle at which it’s viewed.
  • The words “Liberty,” “Peace” and “Democracy.”

The 5-million-coin production means nearly every Costa Rican can have one. They are legal tender, though the Central Bank will also produce additional decorative versions.

The new coin is significantly smaller than the existing 500-colón currency and is designed for easy identification, including for those who have vision problems.

Costa Rica’s colorful currency

The Central Bank in 2010 began phasing out Costa Rica’s old bills and put into circulation the new banknotes, which you can view below:

1000 bill
2000 bill
5000 bill
10000 bill
20000 bill

Individuals in possession of cotton-based banknotes should note that they will soon lose their value as legal tender:

  • January 1, 2022: ₡20,000 and ₡50,000 banknotes
  • March 1, 2022: ₡5,000 banknote
  • May 1, 2022: ₡2,000 banknote

They will be replaced by banknotes of the same denominations, printed on a plastic-like polymer. The cotton bills should be exchanged or deposited at a bank, the BCCR says.

Trending Now

US sanctions Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro

The United States announced on Friday financial sanctions against Colombian President Gustavo Petro for failing to combat drug trafficking, drawing a strong response from...

Costa Rica Presidential Candidate Eli Feinzaig Recovering

Presidential candidate and Congressman Eli Feinzaig of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) underwent surgery Saturday night to repair a fractured sternum sustained in a...

Scientists Identify New Salamander in Costa Rica’s Highest Peak Ecosystem

Scientists have identified a new salamander species in the remote páramo of Chirripó National Park, highlighting our country's rich biodiversity and the pressing challenges...

Venezuela Arrests Suspects in Alleged CIA Cell Plotting Attack

Venezuela claimed Monday to have dismantled a CIA-financed cell plotting a false-flag attack on a US warship deployed to the southern Caribbean, as Washington...

Costa Rica Adds 17th Accessible Beach at Playa Blanca

Costa Rica added another spot to its list of inclusive coastal destinations this week. Playa Blanca in Punta Morales de Chomes now stands as...

Second Phase of FIFA 2026 World Cup Tickets Launches

Fans across the globe now have another shot at securing seats for the FIFA World Cup 2026, as the organization opens the second phase...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica