BANK of Guyana (BoG) has minted and put into circulation a limited amount of a Special Edition $5,000 Commemorative Coin, as part of its activities to mark its Golden Jubilee (50th Anniversary).The Collectors’ item was unveiled yesterday by Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh and Central Bank Governor, Dr Gobin Ganga, who were among the guests at the modest ceremony held atop the roof of the iconic building.

Dr Ganga, who briefly addressed those gathered at the ceremony, underscored its importance and significance by stressing that, “during the last 50 years, the Bank has played the vital role of providing monetary and financial stability that contributed to our economic growth and development.”

He said the foundation laid thus far is, “in a resilient banking and financial system as well as a balanced economy”.
This, the Central Bank Governor stressed, will not only provide for strong oversight of the financial sector, “but will also provide for enhancing competition to reduce interest rate spreads.”
Looking to the future, the Central Bank Governor announced too that the nation’s premier financial institution has been positioning itself, “to face future challenges and to take advantage of new opportunities to sustain growth and continue prosperity for all of Guyana which the bank sees as very important in its mandate.”
PIECE OF HISTORY
Delivering the keynote address to those gathered, including senior staffers of the Bank of Guyana, was Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh, who used the opportunity to firstly reflect on the fact that the coin represents a part of our nation’s history.
The ever articulate Finance Minister accentuated that the founding of the Bank of Guyana was in fact a pre-requisite, in order for the nation to gain its Independence from its colonial masters 50 years ago.
“The founding of the Bank of Guyana wasn’t just the founding of a Bank or the founding of an institution but was a significant step in the preparation for our National Independence,” Dr Singh said.
He explained that the establishment of a Central Bank “was one of the key prerequisite steps that we took as a nation in preparation (for the attainment of political independence).”

Observing that events such as the launching of such a historic coin, “is always special for me,” Dr Singh told those gathered that in purchasing one of the $5,000 coin, “you are literary buying a part of Guyana’s history here.”

He urged Guyanese at home and abroad to “delve into the vastness of our philatelic (related to stamps) and numismatic (related to coins, currency) history…these really are journeys into our country’s history…it is a fascinating history.”
CURRENT JUNCTURE
Addressing the current juncture in Guyana’s history however, the Finance Minister pledged Government’s commitment “to doing what is necessary to safeguard and further build the stability.”
He noted that “the ultimate objective of course is a financial system that meets the national development aspirations of our country.”
LAWRENCE WILLIAMS
The Finance Minister also used the opportunity in addressing the staffers as part of its Golden Jubilee Celebrations to single out for special mention, Dr Ganga’s immediate predecessor, the Late Central Bank Governor, Lawrence Williams.
The Finance Minister mused with staffers on some of his recollection of the late Governor adding; “it would be remiss of me not to recognise and salute the memory of the immediate past Governor, the late Lawrence Williams and his contribution to the Bank.”
LEGAL TENDER IN CIRCULATION
Yesterday’s activity on the roof of Bank of Guyana, is but one of the year-long spate of activities being held to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Financial Institution.
The Limited Edition Commemorative Coins will be sold from today for $6,500 and is Legal Tender to the value of $5,000.
The gold plated silver coins were struck at the Mint of Norway, the design of which was taken from an in-house 50th Anniversary logo competition.
The Coins portray the Bank’s 50thvAnniversary Theme: ‘Promoting Financial Development for Guyana’s Prosperity,’ and emblems symbiotic of hallmark achievement over the past five decades by the institution. (Story and Photos by Gary Eleazar)