The Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN by its acronym in Spanish) has announced that it will be introducing new style 10 and 20 Córdoba banknotes.
They will follow the same design as those introduced in 2015, however will contain improvements that use advances in technology such as a feature that will help those visually impaired with identifying the value of the notes through feel.
The “Tactile feature” is similar to Braille and consists of columns of raised dots that can help identify the value of the note.
The 10 Cordoba note has two columns of three points each and the 20 Córdoba note has nine points in the format of three columns of three points each.
This system was developed with help from those who are blind or partially sighted after research indicated that not everyone read Braille.
This feature is on the lower right, front side of the note.
Another feature is the addition of an iridescent band on the reverse side of the banknote.
On the 10 Córdoba note the image is of palm trees and the number 10.
On the 20 Córdoba banknotes, it is an image of seaweed and the number 20.
Both of these images change color as the note is moved at different angles to a light source.
The older notes style 10 and 20 Córdoba Córdoba banknotes will remain in circulation (and have full value) until exchanged by the banks as and when they require replacement due to determination.
Trivia: The Central Bank of Nicaragua was the first issuing authority in Latin America to print its entire denominations of banknotes on a material called “polymer substrate”. The first notes were the 10, 20 and 200 Córdoba notes that were introduced in 2007. This was followed by a new series in 2015 which upgraded the notes in the 2007 release and added the 50 and 100 Córdoba notes. In 2019, the 500 and 1,000 Córdoba notes were added. Lastly, Nicaragua’s commemorative 5 Córdoba note entered circulation in October 2020.
