The Cayman Islands dollar (KYD) was introduced in the early 1970s when the Cayman Islands Currency Board replaced circulating Jamaican and sterling-area paper with a distinct national issue. The CI dollar has maintained a stable peg to the U.S. dollar (KYD 1 = USD 1.20), reflecting the territory’s role as a regional financial centre and its deep links to the U.S. economy. In 1997 the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority (CIMA) assumed responsibility for issuance and regulation, continuing a design language that balances constitutional symbolism with tourism and marine heritage.

Security printing has been led chiefly by Thomas De La Rue, whose work combined classic British engraving with bright Caribbean palettes, complex guilloche, microtext, and optically variable devices. Portraits of Queen Elizabeth II anchor earlier series, while banknotes frequently feature the turtle watermark, reef life, and coastal vistas—motifs that reinforce national identity and public recognition. Modern releases (including 2010s reprints and later updates) enhanced counterfeit resistance without losing continuity across denominations. Specimens and proofs document plate states, prefix conventions, and printer controls; they also preserve designs that may have seen limited production. Use the filters above to pivot by type or year; the cards below highlight representative issues rather than repeating individual descriptions, connecting CIMA’s current notes back to their Currency Board origins and to De La Rue’s long technical stewardship.

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Cayman Islands 2018 $1 Pick Unlisted later catalogued as Pick 38, Prefix D/6, PMG 66 EPQ

Cayman Islands 2018 - Monetary Authority $1 Prefix D/6 (Pick Unlisted)

Security features include a latent turtle image, electrotype 'CIMA' watermark, and an embedded security thread visible under transmitted light. The note is printed in blue-green hues representing the one-dollar denomination and is graded PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated. Read more →

Cayman IslandsIssued Note2018$1PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Pick UnlistedPMG 66 EPQPick 38TDLR2018 SeriesCIMAIssued NoteCayman Islands2018
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Cayman Islands 2018 $1 Pick 38g, Prefix D/7, PMG 66 EPQ

Cayman Islands 2018 - Monetary Authority $1 Prefix D/7 (Pick 38g)

Graded PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated, this example demonstrates the continued refinement of modern polymer-compatible paper printing and De La Rue’s precision in tropical climate adaptation. For collectors, the D/7 prefix represents the stabilized phase of the 2018 issue sequence following the early unlisted runs. Read more →

Cayman IslandsIssued Note2018$1PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated Pick 38gPMG 66 EPQTDLR2018 SeriesCIMAIssued NoteCayman Islands2018
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Cayman Islands Currency Board unissued photographic back proof for the one dollar denomination, circa 1970, showing a fully developed ornamental reverse design prepared as a standalone security printing surface

Cayman Islands 1970 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Unissued Back Photographic Proof

The design presented here is organized around a symmetrical ornamental framework, with balanced cartouches and patterned fields arranged to stabilize the visual field and discourage counterfeiting. Line density, border weight, and spacing are carefully regulated, reflecting late twentieth century security printing standards in which photographic and photo-engraved proofs were employed to assess tonal contrast, line fidelity, and overall coherence before any final production decisions were made. Read more →

Cayman IslandsUnissued Design Proof19701 DollarPCGS 62 Unissued Design ProofPhotographic ProofBack ProofSecurity Printing1 DollarCurrency Board IssueBritish Caribbean Monetary HistoryLate Colonial Currency SystemsCurrency Design and Approval ProcessSecurity Printing HistoryCayman Islands1970Pick UnlistedPCGS 62Museum GradeR9 Extremely RareUnique
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Cayman Islands Currency Board one dollar issued note dated 1974, Pick 5e, serial prefix A/6 number 105218, Queen Elizabeth the Second portrait and Cayman Islands coat of arms on the obverse, marine vignette on the reverse, PMG 67 Exceptional Paper Quality holder

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Issued Note (Pick 5e)

Certified PMG 67 Exceptional Paper Quality, this example represents a production-fresh survivor of a note intended for heavy transactional use. The grade is not simply cosmetic in this context. It preserves the original surface character of De La Rue’s printing, including crisp line definition in the portrait field, strong clarity in the coat of arms engraving, and clean contrast in the reverse vignette areas where coral and fish textures can soften quickly under circulation handling. In short, this piece functions both as a circulating monetary instrument and as a reference-quality example of Cayman Islands Currency Board design under the chairmanship of A. Jefferson during the later printing phase of the 1974 series. Read more →

Cayman IslandsIssued Note19741 DollarPMG 67 EPQ Issued Note1 DollarSerial Prefix A/6Serial Number 105218A. Jefferson SignatureTurtle WatermarkExceptional Paper QualityThomas De La Rue and Company LimitedCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974British Overseas Territory CurrencyCurrency Board Monetary SystemLate Twentieth Century Security PrintingCaribbean Monetary HistoryCayman Islands19741985PMG 67 EPQMuseum GradePick 5e
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Cayman Islands Currency Board one dollar issued note, Pick 5d, serial prefix A/5 number 997069, Queen Elizabeth the Second portrait and coat of arms on the obverse, marine reef vignette on the reverse, PMG 68 Exceptional Paper Quality Top Pop

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Issued Note (Pick 5d)

The obverse follows a restrained and highly structured layout characteristic of Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited’s work for British overseas territories during the late twentieth century. A formal engraved portrait of Queen Elizabeth the Second occupies the right half of the note, concentrating fine-line security engraving in a high-density visual field. At center, the Cayman Islands coat of arms is integrated into the principal denomination panel reading One Dollar, establishing immediate denomination clarity while reinforcing institutional authority. Beneath this panel appears the engraved signature of A. Jefferson, serving as Chairman of the Cayman Islands Currency Board at the time this printing was produced. Read more →

Cayman IslandsIssued Note19741 DollarPMG 68 EPQ Superb Gem Uncirculated (Top Pop) Issued Note1 DollarSerial Prefix A/5Serial Number 997069A. Jefferson SignatureTurtle WatermarkExceptional Paper QualityThomas De La Rue and Company LimitedCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974British Overseas Territory CurrencyCurrency Board Monetary SystemLate Twentieth Century Security PrintingCaribbean Monetary HistoryCayman Islands19741985PMG 68 EPQTop PopMuseum GradePick 5d
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Cayman Islands Currency Board one dollar specimen note with a single bold red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, serial prefix A/3 with all-zero serial number, Queen Elizabeth the Second portrait on the obverse and marine reef vignette on the reverse, Pick 5as

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Specimen with Red Overprint (Pick 5as)

Certified PMG 65 Exceptional Paper Quality, this specimen preserves strong paper integrity and crisp printing. Its significance lies in documenting the classic De La Rue specimen presentation format used for Cayman Islands Currency Board notes during the Johnson-signed phase of the 1974 one dollar series, prior to the adoption of later specimen control and archival invalidation methods. Read more →

Cayman IslandsSpecimen with Red Overprint19741 DollarPMG 65 EPQ SpecimenRed OverprintClassic Specimen FormatAll Zero Serial NumberV. G. Johnson SignatureSerial Prefix A/3Turtle WatermarkThomas De La Rue and Company LimitedCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974British Overseas Territory CurrencyCurrency Board Monetary SystemLate Twentieth Century Security PrintingSpecimen Presentation ProceduresCayman Islands19741981PMG 65 EPQMuseum GradePick 5as
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Cayman Islands Currency Board one dollar specimen note with large perforated inscription reading SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE, serial prefix A/3 with all-zero serial number, handwritten printer annotations along the lower margin, Queen Elizabeth the Second portrait on the obverse and marine reef vignette on the reverse, Pick 5as

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Specimen with Perforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE' (Pick 5as)

Certified PMG 65 Exceptional Paper Quality, this specimen retains strong paper integrity and clear print surfaces. Its significance lies not in grade or market classification, but in its documentation of the final control stage applied to Cayman Islands Currency Board specimen material under the Johnson-signed phase of the one dollar series, preserving direct evidence of late twentieth-century security printing and archival practices. Read more →

Cayman IslandsSpecimen with Perforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE'19741 DollarPMG 65 EPQ SpecimenPerforatedPerforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE'Printer AnnotationsAll Zero Serial NumberV. G. Johnson SignatureSerial Prefix A/3Turtle WatermarkThomas De La Rue and Company LimitedCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974British Overseas Territory CurrencyCurrency Board Monetary SystemLate Twentieth Century Security PrintingSpecimen Control ProceduresCayman Islands19741981PMG 65 EPQMuseum GradePick 5asAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations
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Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 dollar specimen with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, two oval De La Rue NO VALUE control stamps, specimen number 024, serial prefix A/3 with all-zero serial and control number 024, single punch hole cancellation in the signature area, engraved signature of A. Jefferson as Chairman, turtle watermark, Pick 5bs, PMG 64 holder

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Specimen with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp (Pick 5bs)

The reverse continues the series’ marine-themed design language, featuring a reef vignette composed of coral formations and a prominent fish. Dense organic linework provides both aesthetic depth and anti-counterfeiting complexity, mirroring the issued series while remaining clearly segregated as specimen material through overprint, stamps, serial control, and punch cancellation. Read more →

Cayman IslandsSpecimen with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp19741 DollarPMG 64 SpecimenSpecimen with Red OverprintRed OverprintOval NO VALUE StampDe La Rue Control StampsPunch CancelledSpecimen Tracking PanelSpecimen No. 024Serial Prefix A/3All Zero Serial NumberA. Jefferson SignatureTurtle Watermark1 DollarThomas De La Rue and Company LimitedCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974Currency Board Monetary SystemBritish Overseas Territory CurrencySecurity Printing HistorySpecimen Control ProceduresCaribbean Monetary HistoryCayman Islands19741985PMG 64Museum GradePick 5bs
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Cayman Islands Currency Board one dollar specimen note with large perforated inscription reading SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE, serial prefix A/3 with all-zero serial number, engraved signature of A. Jefferson as Chairman, Queen Elizabeth the Second portrait on the obverse and marine reef vignette on the reverse, Pick 5bs, PMG 64 holder

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Specimen with Perforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE' (Pick 5bs)

Certified PMG 64, this specimen documents the perforated archival control format applied to Cayman Islands Currency Board notes during the Jefferson-signed phase of the one dollar series. Its significance lies in preserving direct evidence of late twentieth-century specimen invalidation practice, illustrating how fully authorized designs were deliberately withdrawn from monetary function for institutional recordkeeping. Read more →

Cayman IslandsSpecimen with Perforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE'19741 DollarPMG 64 SpecimenPerforatedPerforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE'All Zero Serial NumberA. Jefferson SignatureSerial Prefix A/3Turtle WatermarkThomas De La Rue and Company Limited1 DollarCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974British Overseas Territory CurrencyCurrency Board Monetary SystemLate Twentieth Century Security PrintingSpecimen Control ProceduresCaribbean Monetary HistoryCayman Islands19741985PMG 64Museum GradePick 5bs
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Cayman Islands Currency Board one dollar specimen note with a single red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, small handwritten printer annotations at the upper margin, serial prefix A/3 with all-zero serial number, engraved signature of A. Jefferson as Chairman, Queen Elizabeth the Second portrait on the obverse and marine reef vignette on the reverse, Pick 5s, PMG 65 Exceptional Paper Quality holder

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 1 Dollar Specimen with Red Overprint (Pick 5s)

Small handwritten printer’s annotations are present at the upper margin of the note, applied during production or internal handling at Thomas De La Rue. These markings are subtle but intentional and represent routine printer-side notation rather than later defacement, further confirming the specimen’s role as controlled reference material retained outside circulation channels. Read more →

Cayman IslandsSpecimen with Red Overprint19741 DollarPMG 65 EPQ SpecimenSpecimen with Red OverprintRed OverprintPrinter AnnotationsAll Zero Serial NumberA. Jefferson SignatureSerial Prefix A/3Turtle WatermarkThomas De La Rue and Company Limited1 DollarCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974British Overseas Territory CurrencyCurrency Board Monetary SystemLate Twentieth Century Security PrintingSpecimen Presentation ProceduresCaribbean Monetary HistoryCayman Islands19741985PMG 65 EPQMuseum GradePick 5sAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations
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Cayman Islands Currency Board 5 dollars specimen with red diagonal SPECIMEN overprint, two oval De La Rue NO VALUE control stamps, specimen number 017, serial prefix A/1 with all-zero serial and control number 017, single punch hole cancellation in the signature area, engraved signature of A. Jefferson as Chairman, turtle watermark, Pick 6s, PMG 64 EPQ holder

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 5 Dollars Specimen No. 017 with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp (Pick 6s)

This five dollar specimen of the Cayman Islands Currency Board belongs to the 1974 design series prepared under the Cayman Islands Currency Law of 1974 and produced by Thomas De La Rue and Company Limited as controlled reference material. It was never intended to function as money. Instead, it documents the fully finalized face and reverse designs of the denomination in a deliberately invalidated form suitable for institutional distribution and printer archive control. Read more →

Cayman IslandsSpecimen with Red Overprint & Oval Stamp19745 DollarsPMG 64 EPQ SpecimenSpecimen with Red OverprintRed OverprintOval NO VALUE StampDe La Rue Control StampsPunch CancelledSpecimen Tracking PanelSpecimen No. 017Serial Prefix A/1All Zero Serial NumberV. G. Johnson SignatureTurtle Watermark5 DollarsThomas De La Rue and Company LimitedCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974Currency Board Monetary SystemBritish Overseas Territory CurrencySecurity Printing HistorySpecimen Control ProceduresCaribbean Monetary HistoryCayman Islands19741985PMG 64 EPQMuseum GradePick 6s
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Cayman Islands Currency Board 5 dollars perforated specimen with SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE cancellation, serial prefix A/1 with all-zero serial number, upper right handwritten notation 467/1–A2, lower margin inscription C.T. Wood 12.10.89 see notes on order form, engraved signature of A. Jefferson as Chairman, turtle watermark, Pick 6s, PMG 64 EPQ holder

Cayman Islands 1974 - Cayman Islands Currency Board 5 Dollars Specimen with Perforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE' (Pick 6s, 467/1–A2)

This example must be catalogued separately from its parallel A1 counterpart because its archival control notation differs. In the upper right margin the printer job notation reads “467/1–A2.” Along the lower margin the inscription reads “C.T. Wood 12.10.89 see notes on order form.” Within printer-archive material, such suffix differences are not minor: they represent distinct internal states, filing or review designations, and handling history. In a field where the engraved design is intentionally stable, these notations become the primary fingerprints of the object. Read more →

Cayman IslandsSpecimen with Perforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE'19745 DollarsPMG 64 EPQ SpecimenPerforatedPerforated 'SPECIMEN OF NO VALUE'Printer AnnotationsAll Zero Serial NumberV. G. Johnson SignatureSerial Prefix A/1Turtle Watermark5 DollarsThomas De La Rue and Company LimitedCayman Islands Currency BoardCayman Islands Currency Law 1974Currency Board Monetary SystemBritish Overseas Territory CurrencySecurity Printing HistorySpecimen Control ProceduresCaribbean Monetary HistoryCayman Islands19741985PMG 64 EPQMuseum GradePick 6sAnnotationsHandwritten Annotations
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