BBD – Barbadian Dollar

Sign – $, Bds$ / Code – BBD

Long before our corporate currency exchange brokers were helping our clients with their Barbadian Dollar transfers, the Barbadian Dollar was creating its own rich history.

About the Barbadian Dollar

The Barbadian Dollar was introduced in 1972 following the creation of the Central Bank of Barbados, replacing the East Caribbean Dollar.

As Barbados was a British colony, the island originally used British coinage, starting in 1848.  However, silver pieces of eight and dollars continued to be used as well, resulting in the British currency never achieving dominance. Dollar usage really took off in 1882 when private banknotes were issued in the currency. Sterling finally lost the battle in 1949 when Barbados adopted the British West Indies Dollar, which later became the East Caribbean Dollar.

Since 1975, the Barbadian Dollar has been pegged to the US Dollar, at a rate of US$1 = Bds$2.

The Bds$ sign is often used to differentiate the Barbadian Dollar from the US Dollar.

Denominations

Subunit: Cent – 1/100

Coins: 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1

Banknotes: $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100

Bank: Central Bank of Barbados