2024-10-09 16:49:00
Guatemala celebrates 100 years of the Quetzal as national currency. The Bank of Guatemala (banguat) has issued a commemorative bank note, postage stamp and coin to celebrate this historic milestone.
Perspective Writing
The authorities of the Central Bank attended the activity of the presentation: Mr. Alvaro González Ricci, President of the Monetary Board and Bank of Guatemala; Mr. Alfredo Blanco, Vice President of the Monetary Board and Bank of Guatemala; Mr. Vinicio Cáceres, General Manager; Mr. Leonel Moreno, Legal Manager; Dr Herberth Solórzano, Administrative Manager, and William Cano, Financial Manager. Likewise, there were representatives from the public and private sectors, international organizations and special guests.
“The Quetzal, as a monetary unit, is a witness to the changes that have taken place in our country in the last hundred years. Its stability is the result of prudent and responsible monetary policies, and the commitment of all Guatemalans to build a better future for our next generation,” said Mr. Alvaro González Ricci, President of the Monetary Board and Bank of Guatemala.
During the event, the commemorative postage stamp was unveiled and postmarked with the participation of engineer José Raúl Solares Chiu, Deputy Minister of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing; and the authorities of the Directorate of Posts and Telegraphs. In addition, it was announced that a commemorative coin would be manufactured, similar to the design of the first quetzal coins issued in 1924.
This limited edition of 10,000 units can be purchased by the public by reservation per person. The Bank of Guatemala also emphasized the actions taken to strengthen financial inclusion and economic education through agreements with the Ministry of Education, the National Secretariat of Science and Technology, the Congress of the Republic and houses of higher education. In addition, the importance of promoting research and training was emphasized through the competitions, contests and diploma courses coordinated by the central bank.
“Among the activities organized within the framework of the centenary are an art exhibition and the publication of the book ‘A Quetzal, a currency, a century. One hundred years of our monetary unit’. The exhibition compiles works that inspired the designs of our banknotes and shows examples of paper money and coins. The book contains information and photographs of unpublished pieces and documents, written by a group of experts in economics, history, art and numismatics, with the support of the Numismatic Association of Guatemala,” said the President of the Monetary Board and the Bank of Guatemala.
As part of its commitment to innovation, the Bank of Guatemala presented the free application BilletesGt, to observe the characteristics and security measures of bills and coins in current circulation in a 3D environment. Under the same technological axis, it was revealed that starting in 2025 the GT Indicator Board will be the first platform in Latin America to have artificial intelligence to analyze macroeconomic data. At the national level, the modernization of the 60 Banco de Guatemala libraries located throughout the country is being implemented with improvements to their infrastructure, computers, internet access, among other services. The Numismatic Museum will also be complemented with cutting-edge technology to facilitate interactive learning of Guatemala’s numerical history. “As a central bank, we are prepared to face the challenges of globalisation, international markets, digitization and climate change.
Adopting the right policies and adapting to these changes will be essential to maintain the strength of the Quetzal and our economic stability,” said González Ricci. The Bank of Guatemala reaffirms its commitment to ensure the economic stability of the country and promote the development of policies that contribute to the sustainable growth of Guatemala.
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