What Makes the New Coins Glow… And Answers to Your Other Questions

A glow-in-the-dark coin is not something you hear about often, and certainly not a glow-in-the-dark coin that will be in circulation. So with the news that the Central Bank of Barbados has issued one of these coins as a tribute to our essential workers, you probably have some questions. Here are the answers:

What Makes the New Coins Glow?

The flying fish and the waves on the coin have been painted blue, which is what you see when you look at the coin. But that paint also contains a special property that absorbs energy from the sun or other light. Then, when outside is dark, once it has absorbed enough energy, the coin glows. So remember, expose the coin to light for about a minute and then you’ll see it glow.

How Long Will the Coins Glow For?

As long as they have absorbed enough energy, the coins will glow for a few minutes, with the first minute or so being the brightest. Once it has used up all the energy it has stored, it will stop glowing. But after the coin is exposed to more light, it will glow again.

Over all, the coins should last in circulation for as many as 20 years, and will continue to glow, but a coin that is put away and kept as a souvenir will glow brighter than one that is constantly exposed to light.

What Other Countries Have Glow-in-the-Dark Coins?

The Royal Canadian Mint, which makes Barbados’ coins, has only ever done glow-in-the-dark coins for Canada and once before for Barbados, when it made a special limited-edition Batman collector’s coin. So this coin will be the first glow-in-the-dark circulation coin issued in the Caribbean and one of very few in the world.

How Many Coins Were Made?

One million. A few thousand have been specially packaged and are being distributed to some of Barbados’ essential workers, but the vast majority will go into circulation. This means that over the next few months, Barbadians will find them in their change when they go shopping. The coins can be spent just like regular one-dollar coins, but the Bank is encouraging people to keep a few as souvenirs. For people who don’t use cash, they should be able to get one from their commercial bank – and it will only cost a dollar.

So now you  know more about the limited-edition glow-in-the-dark one-dollar circulation coin, you can look out for yours. And when you get it, take a moment to remember how much Barbados’ essential workers have done for us during the lockdown and the entire COVID-19 pandemic. #LetsGlowBarbados.