In a formal announcement made on July 1, 2026, the Central Bank of Belize has introduced its brand-new National Symbols Coin Series, a redesigned collection of circulation coins set to enter general use across the country this coming September. The new line of coins, produced by Canada’s state-owned Royal Canadian Mint, is crafted to highlight and celebrate Belize’s unique sovereign and cultural identity, tying directly to the nation’s heritage.
Each denomination in the series carries a distinct design tied to national identity: the one-dollar coin bears a detailed outline map of Belize, while all lower denominations feature different official national symbols of the country. This new coin series acts as a complementary addition to the National Heroes banknote series that the central bank launched into circulation in 2025, completing a multi-year modernization of Belize’s national currency.
Crucially, the central bank has clarified that the new coins will not immediately replace existing circulation pieces that bear the portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Those older coins will retain their status as legal tender indefinitely, and the public faces no requirement to exchange or deposit their current holdings. The older coins will be gradually removed from circulation through natural attrition over the coming years as the new series becomes more widespread.
While the new coins retain the exact same physical dimensions as their existing counterparts to ensure compatibility with existing vending machines and cash handling infrastructure, they incorporate multiple functional and design updates. The base materials have been switched from the previous composition to nickel-plated and bronze-plated steel, a change that boosts overall coin durability for longer circulation life and cuts down on manufacturing costs for the central bank. Design-specific updates include a unique ten-sided edge on the one-cent coin, and a distinct bronze finish for the one-dollar denomination to help with quick identification by users.
To mark the official launch of the new circulation series, the Central Bank of Belize will also release a limited-run collector’s coin: a specially painted fifty-cent piece featuring the national Mahogany Tree, Belize’s national tree. This commemorative collectible will be sold exclusively as a numismatic item for coin collectors and will not be released into general public circulation.