The International Association of Currency Affairs (IACA) has named a 2020 $1 circulation coin the Royal Canadian Mint struck for Barbados as the “Best New Commemorative or Test Circulating Coin.”
Issued by the Central Bank of Barbados, the glow-in-the-dark “Flying Fish” coin honoured the Caribbean island’s frontline workers, who helped the country overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Mint used its proprietary photo-luminescent technology on the pad-printed colourized coin, which “symbolized the light of hope breaking through the shadow of adversity,” according to the Crown corporation.
It marked the first time the IACA Excellence in Currency Awards recognized a non-Canadian coin with glow-in-the-dark colour.
“The Royal Canadian Mint is dedicated to advancing the art and science of coin manufacturing, not just for Canada and Canadians but also for the benefit of the global currency industry,” according to Mint Master Marie Lemay.
IACA officials presented the award on Oct. 19 at the 2022 Coin Conference in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Mint has taken home seven other honours, including the “Best Currency Initiative Implemented in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic,” since the IACA launched the Excellence in Currency Awards in 2007.