Modern coinage of Bermuda

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In 1983 Bermuda issued a dollar coin and a 5 dollar coin. Both were in nickel-brass. Curiously, the dollar looks very similar in shape, size, colour and thickness to the UK pound coin, which was also released that year - or perhaps not so curiously, since the Royal Mint produced both coins.

The dollar showed a cahow, and an onion was featured on the 5 dollar coin. These coins were issued again in 1986 only, then they were demonetised in 1990. I am curious to know whether the 5 dollar coin ever circulated.

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The map, or bird's eye view, of Bermuda, first appeared on the 1959 crown, which was designed by Norman Sillman.

 

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The map was next seen on the silver dollar collector coin of 1970. This design was the work of Michael Rizzello, who also designed Bermuda's first decimal coins. It is possible that he also designed the $1 and $5 coins of 1983; one day I will ask the Royal Mint whether that was the case.

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The map was seen again on the collector dollar that commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Queen's reign. Bermuda is a British overseas territory and not independent.

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And here the map is seen once more on a gold 3 dollar coin of the year 2000. The map has almost become a cliché on Bermuda's coins.

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Bermuda's first decimal coins, issued in 1970, did not show a map, nor did they include a dollar coin.

 

 

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As a young collector, I particularly liked the angelfish design.




But everybody's favourite seems to be the boar on the 1 cent coin.

 

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The white-tailed tropic bird on the 25 cents coin.

 

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Any Britons old enough to remember the first official UK decimal coins set, that was sold from post offices in the late 1960s, will recognise the style of this similar Bermudian set.  The outline of the islands is shown on the pack.

[Pabitra]

I am curious to know whether the 5 dollar coin ever circulated.

Bermuda's first decimal coins, issued in 1970, did not show a map, nor did they include a dollar coin.

5 Dollar coin was never a circulation coin.
1 Dollar coin is now in regular circulation.

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5 Dollar coin was never a circulation coin.

As I suspected. It was a large denomination for those days.

1 Dollar coin is now in regular circulation.

The new coin was introduced in 1988 and is significantly larger than the old, being 26.2mm in diameter. It portrays a dinghy, instead of the bird over the island.

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A detailed look at the dollar dinghy design.

[Pabitra]

The new coin was introduced in 1988 and is significantly larger than the old,

Unlike most of the other countries, 50 cent was stopped somewhere in between.

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The last 50 cents coin (for circulation) was issued in 1988. Probably this is due to the American influence. I've never visited the USA, but apparently the half dollar coin is not popular there, and I've never heard any reasons why that is the case.

[Pabitra]

Most of the Island nations in the region  have been avoiding that denomination.
Bahamas and East Caribbean Islands are main examples.

By the way, what does that Coat of Arms signify?
The shield appears to reflect either sinking of Titanic or symbolises Bermuda Triangle :-(