Grenada’s Olympic gold medallist Kirani James is set to become the new face of the Eastern Caribbean (EC) currency, replacing the image of Queen Elizabeth II as part of a redesign of the region’s banknotes.
The announcement marks a significant milestone for both James and the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), as the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) moves to feature distinguished Caribbean personalities on its currency instead of the British monarch.
The ECCB had previously announced that the redesigned banknotes would no longer bear the image of Queen Elizabeth II, whose portrait has appeared on EC currency for decades. Instead, the new notes will celebrate prominent Caribbean figures whose achievements have made a lasting contribution to the region. The redesigned notes are expected to enter circulation in 2027.
Reacting to the decision, James described the recognition as one he never envisioned.
“It is an honour to have this privilege of being featured in this way. Never in my journey would I have imagined something like this to happen,” he said in a statement released to The Voice.
James is widely regarded as one of the Caribbean’s greatest track and field athletes. He made history at the 2012 London Olympic Games by winning the men’s 400 metres, becoming Grenada’s first-ever Olympic gold medallist. He followed that achievement with a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, while also capturing the 2011 World Championship title in the 400 metres.
The Eastern Caribbean dollar is issued by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and is the common currency of eight members of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union—Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The replacement of Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait reflects a broader regional effort to recognise Caribbean achievements and identity on national and regional symbols, while maintaining the EC dollar as one of the Caribbean’s most stable currencies.
James’ selection places one of the region’s most celebrated sporting icons at the forefront of that new chapter, ensuring that his legacy will extend beyond the athletics track to become a permanent symbol carried daily by millions across the Eastern Caribbean.
