WILLEMSTAD--One hundred Netherlands Antilles florins (NAf) notes are relatively easy to forge, according to the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten (CBCS).
This is one of the reasons why a decision is urged by politicians of the monetary union to replace the banknotes with new, better-secured money, in this case the long-announced Caribbean guilder. The current NAf coins are also due for replacement because they quickly change colour and turn black.
Money printing companies are not standing in line to print more NAf banknotes with their authenticity marks, said CBCS deputy director financial affairs Alvin Francisco. Some security “planchettes” tend to be left in the machines, which therefore break down quicker.
The Caribbean guilder would be a state-of-the-art modern banknote that is difficult to forge. With a remaining NAf money supply of three years and the transition period for new currency estimated at 18 to 24 months, now is the time to start preparations.
