The central bank of Bangladesh announced on June 1 the release of a redesigned series of banknotes titled “Historic and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh,” as part of a broader plan to modernize the national currency.
The redesigned notes, worth Tk500 ($4.25), Tk200 ($1.70), Tk100 ($0.85), Tk10 ($0.08), Tk5 ($0.04), and Tk2 ($0.02), will be introduced into circulation gradually.
Earlier the same day, new Tk1,000 ($8.50), Tk50 ($0.42), and Tk20 ($0.17) notes also began circulating.
The central bank stated that the updated series aims to showcase significant landmarks while ensuring that all existing notes and coins remain legal tender.
The Tk500 note features the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Dhaka’s Central Shaheed Minar. The Tk200 note displays the Aparajeyo Bangla sculpture at Dhaka University and student-drawn graffiti from the July uprising.
The Tk100 note includes the UNESCO-listed Sixty Dome Mosque in Bagerhat and the Sundarbans forest.
Smaller denominations also reflect important sites, with the Tk10 note featuring the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
The Tk5 and Tk2 notes, signed by the secretary of finance rather than the central bank governor, showcase the Tara Mosque and memorials for martyred intellectuals.
Each note includes a watermark of a Royal Bengal Tiger, numerical values, and official monograms for enhanced security. The central bank plans to announce release dates and security features through public updates.
Authorities state that the new designs are part of a long-term effort to modernize the national currency and promote public appreciation of Bangladesh’s history and identity.