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The Central Bank of Belize has unveiled new circulating coins that place the country's identity, nature, and heritage at the heart of their designs. Under the name National Symbols Coin Series, the issue comprises six coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 cents, as well as a 1 dollar coin.
Minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, the new pieces were officially unveiled on July 1, 2026, and are scheduled to enter circulation in September.
The series replaces the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II with elements closely linked to the country.
Sursa: Youtube Utilizator: Central Bank of Belize
A new look for Belize coins
The creation of this series responds, firstly, to the need to update the country's circulating coins after the death of Elizabeth II in 2022. However, the Central Bank of Belize has also taken the opportunity to build a completely national monetary identity, rather than incorporating a new effigy of the British monarchy.
The initiative continues the path begun with the National Heroes banknote series, introduced in 2025 and dedicated to George Cadle Price and Philip Goldson, two key figures in Belize's contemporary history. In this way, banknotes and coins now form a unified set in which the country's history, territory, national heroes, and biodiversity replace the traditional presence of the British Crown.
1 DOLLAR COIN – Map of Belize
Obverse
The obverse of the coin is dedicated to the national territory and features the map of Belize in its center.
The design symbolizes the diversity within Belize's borders and makes the country's silhouette the main emblem of the highest-value coin in the series. The name "BELIZE" appears alongside the map.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Country Belize
Year 2026
Face value 1 dollar
Metal Bronze-coated steel
Weight 7.30 g
Diameter 26 mm
Singing Grooved with smooth sections
50 CENT COIN – Mahogany Tree
Obverse
The obverse of the coin features a leafy mahogany tree, the national tree of Belize. Its trunk occupies the central axis of the composition, while its branches extend widely towards the upper edges of the coin.
Beneath the tree's canopy appears the inscription "MAHOGANY TREE," identifying the species. The design recalls the importance that mahogany cultivation had for the economic and social development of the region since colonial times.
Mahogany is also present in the national coat of arms and is related to the country's motto, "Sub Umbra Floreo", usually translated as "Under the shade I flourish".
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Country Belize
Year 2026
Face value 50 cents
Metal Nickel-coated steel
Weight 8.25 g
Diameter 27.74 mm
Singing Fluted
25 CENT COIN – Rainbow-billed Toucan
Obverse
The obverse features the keel-billed toucan, Belize's national bird and one of the most recognizable species in Central American fauna. The bird is shown in profile, highlighting its large, curved beak, one of its most distinctive features.
The figure occupies most of the surface and is accompanied by the inscription "KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN". The depiction highlights the richness and diversity of the country's tropical forests.
The keel-billed toucan primarily inhabits forested areas and is distinguished by the combination of colors that runs along its beak. Although the metallic relief does not reproduce that color scheme, the design uses different lines and textures to differentiate the plumage, the eye, and the structure of the beak.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Country Belize
Year 2026
Face value 25 cents
Metal Nickel-coated steel
Weight 5.25 g
Diameter 23.60 mm
Singing Fluted
10 CENT COIN – National Coat of Arms
Obverse
The obverse features the national coat of arms of Belize, one of the symbols that best encapsulates the country's history. At its center is a shield divided into several sections containing tools related to the timber industry and a sailing ship, elements that recall the historical importance of the mahogany trade.
Above the shield rises a mahogany tree, while two lumber industry workers appear on either side. The whole is surrounded by a wreath of foliage and accompanied by the national motto "SUB UMBRA FLOREO".
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Country Belize
Year 2026
Face value 10 cents
Metal Nickel-coated steel
Weight 2.35 g
Diameter 17 mm
Singing Fluted
5 CENT COIN – Central American Tapir
Obverse
The obverse features a portrait of a Central American tapir, or Baird's tapir, considered the national animal of Belize. The design shows the mammal's head in profile, highlighting the elongated and flexible shape of its snout. The image is accompanied by the inscription "BAIRD'S TAPIR," the English name for the species.
The tapir is Belize's largest native land mammal and plays an important role in its ecosystems, particularly through seed dispersal. Its selection also highlights the value of conserving the country's biodiversity.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Country Belize
Year 2026
Face value 5 cents
Metal Nickel-coated steel
Weight 3.20 g
Diameter 20.19 mm
Singing Smooth
1 CENT COIN – Black Orchid
Obverse
The lowest denomination coin in the series is dedicated to the black orchid, Belize's national flower. The obverse features the flower in the center, allowing the viewer to appreciate the unique morphology of this species, including its petals and stems.
The inscription "BLACK ORCHID" appears at the bottom. Despite its common name, the flower is not completely black, but rather combines shades of green, yellow, and very dark purple.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Country Belize
Year 2026
Face value 1 cent
Metal Nickel-coated steel
Weight 2.30 g
Diameter 19.25 mm
Singing Smooth
Reverses of the series
The six coins show on their reverse the face value in the center, accompanied by its denomination in English and framed on the outer edge by the name of the country "BELIZE", at the top, and in the lower area the year of issue "2026" is indicated.
The designs completely forgo personal portraits. In this way, the new coins break with previous issues that featured the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II and transfer all visual identity to Belize's national symbols.
COLLECTIBLE COIN
50 CENTS – Mahogany tree
To mark the introduction of the new series, the Central Bank of Belize will also put on sale a special 50-cent edition dedicated to the mahogany tree.
The coin retains the design of the circulating piece dedicated to this, but incorporates color over the representation of the tree.
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Country Belize
Year 2026
Face value 50 cents
Metal Nickel-coated steel
Weight 8.25 g
Diameter 27.74 mm
Singing Fluted
Finish Color application
Availability September 2026
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