The currency of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas is the Bahamian dollar. Coins in circulation are 1, 5, 10, 15, 25 cents. The Bahamian dollar is pegged to the US dollar at a one-to-one ratio. In 1966, coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 15, 25, 50 cents and 1 dollar were introduced into circulation. The 1 cent was made of nickel-brass, the 5, 10, and 15 cents were made of cupronickel, the 25 cents were made of nickel, and the 50 cents and $1 were made of silver. The 10 cents received a scallop shape, while the 15 cents were square. Silver coins were not issued into circulation after 1966. The bronze cent replaced the nickel-brass 1 cent in 1970, which became brass in 1974 and copper-plated zinc in 1985. In 1989, copper-nickel 50-cent and $1 coins were introduced into circulation, although they never replaced the corresponding banknotes of that denomination. The 1, 5 and 25 cent coins are approximately the same size as their US counterparts, but have different metal compositions. The 15 cent coin is still produced by the Central Bank but is not commonly used. All coins have the inscription “Commonwealth of the Bahamas” on the obverse and the year of issue. The 1-cent coin features a starfish, the 5-cent coin features a pineapple, the 10-cent coin features two albulas, the 15-cent coin features a hibiscus, and the 25-cent coin features a national sloop.
