If the answer is yes, and you are planning to travel to Gibraltar over the next two months, you will need to exchange them for newly issued £5 currency notes.
New £5 notes with the prefix letter B/AA were issued at the start of December, while the current ones, featuring the prefix letter A/AA, are being withdrawn from circulation.
They will continue to be accepted by banks until the end of January 2022, but after that date a notice of demonetisation has been issued for them to no longer be considered legal tender. Demonetised notes will, however, continue to be accepted by the ministry of finance at the treasury department (206/210 Main Street) – if you get stuck with a wad on your next trip after January 2021..
Printed by De La Rue, the new £5 note has a green-beige colour scheme, with the image of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the front and the Windsor Bridge depicted on the reverse. The note is slightly smaller in size than the current £5 note and new security features have been incorporated.
Christmas Coin Collection Launched
Meanwhile, one “currency” that remains popular indefinitely –and, indeed, is highly coveted among collectors – is Gibraltar’s Christmas Coin Collection. Unveiled this month by the minister responsible for the Gibraltar National Mint, Sir Joe Bossano, the collection can be purchased by members of the public at the Gibraltar Savings Bank (206/210 Main Street) or via the Mint’s website.
This is the 33rd year since the first collection was launched in 1988, at the time including the traditional 50p Christmas card and 50p currency coin. Last year, for the first time, the Gibraltar National Mint also introduced a £2 collection – and both the 50p and £2 have been issued again in 2021.
In November, the Gibraltar government also issued a commemorative stamp to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the City Council.
COIN SPECIFICATIONS
Fifty Pence
Metal: Cupro-Nickel
Diameter: 27.3mm
Weight: 8g
Finish: Circulating
Edition Limit: Unlimited
Two Pounds
Metal: Bi-metal
Diameter: 28.4mm
Weight: 12g
Finish: Circulating
Edition Limit: Unlimited
Fifty Pence
Metal: Cupro-Nickel with Colour
Diameter: 27.3mm
Weight: 8g
Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
Packaging: Christmas Card
Edition Limit: 2,000
Two Pounds
Metal: Bi-metal with Colour
Diameter: 28.4mm
Weight: 12g
Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated
Packaging: Christmas Card
Edition Limit: 2,000