Flags, Symbols, & Currencies of Montserrat

Montserrat is one of the British Overseas Territories in the Caribbean. Thus, most of its symbols, including the flag, have been influenced by the UK. The island's current flag was officially adopted in 1962. The flag consists of a blue field with the flag of the UK (Union Flag) in the upper hoist-side quadrant and the Montserratian coat of arms centered in the outer half of the flag. The arms feature a woman (Erin) in green dress. Erin is the female personification of Ireland. She is depicted as standing beside a yellow harp and embracing a large dark cross with her right arm. Erin and the harp are symbols of Ireland reflecting the territory's Irish ancestry. Blue represents awareness, trustworthiness, determination, and righteousness. The flag has a height to length proportion of 1:2

National Anthem

• Anthem Title: Motherland! (National Song)
• Music composer: J. A. George Irish
• Lyricist: Howard A. Fergus 
• Date of Adoption: 2014

Being a British Overseas Territory, the national anthem of Montserrat is "God Save the Queen or King," depending on who the reigning mornach is. The anthem is specifically played in the presence of the queen or king. Besides the national anthem, Montserrat has a national song known as "Motherland!" The national song was officially adopted as the regions Territorial Song in 2014. The song's lyrics were written by Howard A. Fergus  and set to music by J. A. George Irish.

Montserrat is one of the Caribbean islands that uses Eastern Caribbean dollar as its official currency. The Eastern Caribbean dollar is coded as XCD and uses the dollar ($) symbol or EC$ to distinguish it from other currencies. The currency is fixed to the US dolloar at 1 US$ to 2.7 EC$. The Eastern Caribbean Dollar has been the currency of Montserrat since 1965 and has been pegged to the US$ since 1972. Besides the currency, the US dollar is also widely acceptable but change is mostly given in EC$.

Coins and Banknotes

Eastern Caribbean dollar is issued in banknotes and coins. The EC$ coins were introduced in 1982 in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 25 cents and 1 dollar. The 1, 2, and 5-cent coins were struck in aluminum. The 1 and 2-cent coins were withdrawn from circulation in 2015. The coins currently in circulation are in the denominations of 5, 10, 25 cents, and 1 dollar. The first EC$ banknotes issued by the Eastern Caribbean Currency Authority in 1965 were in denominations of 1, 5, 20 and 100 dollars. 10 and 50-dollar notes were introduced in 1986 and 1989. Banknotes currently in circulation are in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars

Historical Currencies of Montserrat

The British West Indies dollar was the currency used in Montserrat before being replaced by the Eastern Caribbean dollar in 1965. It was used from 1949, with the British Caribbean Currency Board in-charge of its issuance and other monetary policies. The BWI$ was introduced as a replacement of the pound sterling and existed only in banknotes until 1955. The decimal coins were introduced in 1955 to replace the sterling coins. When the West Indies Federation was formed in 1958, the BWI$ became the official currency. When the federation disintegrated in 1962, Montserrat alongside other Eastern Caribbean territories continued using the dollar. However, the Eastern Caribbean dollar finally replaced the BWI$ in 1965.