The Bermuda Monetary Authority's Policy
The Bermuda Monetary Authority (the “Authority”) restricts reproductions of its notes as it needs to ensure that such reproductions cannot be used to defraud or mislead the public. The Authority is also very much concerned about the context in which its notes are reproduced, especially if the Queen’s portrait is in any way distorted or shown in such a way as to cause offence. The reproduction of notes without the prior written permission of the Authority is an offence under section 11(2) of the Bermuda Monetary Authority Act 1969.
Procedure
Advertisers, publishers, and others wishing to reproduce Bermuda Monetary Authority notes should contact the Authority’s Currency Bureau at 441-295-5278 to discuss their proposals. All correspondence relating to the reproduction of notes should be addressed to Deputy Director, Corporate & Financial Services, 43 Victoria Street, Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda.
Criteria
The Authority generally does not permit the reproduction of its notes on souvenir items and other articles for sale (e.g. mugs, ashtrays, tea towels, beach towels, t-shirts, etc).
For advertisements, etc. incorporating reproductions of notes, the Authority’s permission is necessary and designs are normally expected to meet the following criteria:
- Reproductions of notes, whether in black and white or colour, must not be the same size as actual notes. If they are smaller, they can be up to half as long and half as wide. If they are to be larger, they should be larger and wider by at least fifty percent. Reproductions of parts of notes must be in the same proportions
- As an additional protection against misuse, notes should – unless otherwise permitted by the Authority - be shown on the slant and not flat to camera. They should also form part of a larger pictorial design
Designs incorporating reproductions of notes for educational purposes (e.g. in educational material and training manuals), which must also be approved by the Authority, should satisfy the same size criteria as those for advertisements, but may be shown flat to camera provided that they have the word “specimen” in solid black capitals across them.
These criteria do not apply to the reproduction of notes for educational purposes on film or television; such reproductions may be made without specific application being made to the Authority. However, the Authority’s permission is required in the case of reproductions for other film, television and internet use, whether or not for advertising purposes.
Bermuda Government Notes
The above criteria also apply to reproductions of Bermuda Government Notes issued between 1970 and 1976.
