Guatemalan Q100 Commemorative Banknote to Compete for International Award

Guatemala's new Q100 commemorative banknote has been entered into an international competition recognizing excellence in banknote design and technology. The bill, issued to mark the 80th anniversary of the Bank of Guatemala, will vie for the "Best New Commemorative Banknote" award at the High Security Printing Latin America 2026 event. This prestigious gathering, scheduled for June 1-3 in Guatemala City, brings together experts, central banks, and security printing specialists from across the region.

Álvaro González Ricci, president of the Bank of Guatemala, announced the banknote's participation on May 25. He explained that the competition category specifically honors outstanding achievements in design, technical sophistication, and security features of commemorative banknotes. Guatemala's submission, titled "100 Quetzales Commemorative Note – Merging the Heritage, Presence, and Innovation into the Banknote Design," aims to showcase the country's cultural heritage alongside modern security advancements.

The design concept thoughtfully integrates historical elements of the traditional Q100 banknote with its current imagery and incorporates new security technologies. The objective was to create a commemorative note that honors the Bank of Guatemala's eight decades of operation without disrupting the visual identity of the currency used daily. Guatemala's selection as the host for the High Security Printing Latin America 2026 event underscores its growing role in discussions surrounding currency security and design in the region.

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100 Quetzales Commemorative Note – Merging the Heritage, Presence, and Innovation into the Banknote Design