The Cayman Islands dollar (currency code KYD; symbol: $ or CI$) is the currency of the Cayman Islands, a British Overseas Territory. It was introduced in 1972 to replace the Jamaican dollar. Its base unit is the dollar; each dollar is subdivided into 100 cents.
The Cayman Islands dollar has been pegged to the United States dollar at 1 Cayman Islands dollar = 1.2 U.S. dollars since 1 April 1974.
History
The Cayman Islands dollar was introduced in 1972 (10 years after separation from the Colony of Jamaica), replacing the Jamaican dollar at par. Jamaican currency and Cayman Islands dollars both remained legal tender until 31 August 1972, when Jamaican currency ceased to be legal tender. The Cayman Islands dollar has been pegged to the United States dollar at 1 Cayman Islands dollar = 1.2 U.S. dollars since 1 April 1974, when the Currency Law of 1974 was enacted. In 1983, the 1974 law was repealed and replaced by the Currency Law Revised, which itself was replaced in 1997 by section 22 of the Monetary Authority Law. Under section 22 of the 2013 revision of the Monetary Authority Law, the value of the Cayman dollar in United States Dollars is determined by the Governor. In February 2023, it was reported that the Monetary Authority was seeking public input for a new set of coin and banknote designs, which will feature King Charles III. Following the completion of this process, the Monetary Authority will authorise production of the new designs, then gradually phase them into circulation.
Coins
In 1972, coins in denominations of 1¢, 5¢, 10¢ and 25¢ were introduced. The 1¢ was struck in bronze, with the other denominations in cupronickel. From 1992, copper and nickel-plated steel replaced bronze and cupronickel, respectively.
Banknotes
On 1 May 1972, the Cayman Islands Currency Board introduced notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 25 dollars. 40 dollar notes were introduced in 1981 but were taken out of circulation a few years later, followed by 100 dollars in 1982 and 50 dollars in 1987. On 1 January 1997, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) took over issuance of paper money, issuing notes for 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 dollars. The current series of notes was issued on 4 April 2011.
The CIMA issued notes of 70 dollars in 2023 to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Elizabeth II and the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
Exchange rates
On the islands, the US dollar is accepted as legal currency by hotels, restaurants, and retail establishments at the rate of 1 US Dollar for every 80 Cayman cents. Change is usually given in Cayman Island dollars.
Banks buy US Dollars at 82 Cayman Island cents each and sell 1.20 US dollars per Cayman Island dollar. As of 2014, the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority uses a retail exchange rate of CI$1.00 = US$1.227.