Bahamian dollar (BSD)

Units and design

The unit is divided into 100 cents. Coins and banknotes come in a range of practical denominations for day-to-day use; coins typically cover small change while banknotes serve larger payments. Designs on both coins and notes emphasize national symbols, local wildlife and scenes of Bahamian history and culture.

History and development

The modern Bahamian dollar was introduced in the 1960s as the country moved from older currency systems to a decimalized unit. Since its establishment the currency has been adapted in form and security features to meet changing economic and technological needs.

Use and exchange

The Bahamian dollar is widely used across the islands for all domestic transactions and is important to the tourism-driven economy. United States dollars are also commonly accepted in many businesses, and the Bahamian dollar has historically been managed to stay close in value to the US dollar. To distinguish it from other dollars, prices or financial reports will often prepend a B or use the ISO code.

Issuing authority and notable facts

Banknotes and coins are issued by the Central Bank of The Bahamas, which oversees monetary policy and currency circulation. Collectors and visitors often note the currency's distinctive local imagery and the practical coexistence of Bahamian and US dollars in everyday commerce.