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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

Historical flags of Montserrat

Flag of Montserrat

Blue field with Union Jack on upper hoist and seal (without the white border on fly
Blue field with Union Jack on upper hoist and seal (without the white border on fly

Symbols of Montserrat

National Coat of Arms of Montserrat

The coat of arms dates back to 1909. It is a blue and brown shield, featuring 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. The Irish began settling on the island in 1632. The cross is symbolic of Christianity. The coat of arms of Montserrat features on the island's flag and the Governor's Union Flag. 

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.

Motherland!

Oh Montserrat, dear Motherland

Your children raise your standard high.

In toil and tears to serve you well,

A crowning jewel from God’s hand.

Chorus:

Oh Montserrat, by nature blest

To you your children sing

Come well or woe, come friend or foe

To you your people cling.

Rise up and make our country great

With art and skill and sacrifice

With masque and drum we celebrate,

Triumphant masters of our faith

Chorus

We sing our land in harmony

May God be our eternal God°

And make Montserrat a house of hope,

A haven in the Carib Sea.

Chorus

No pestilence shall mar your shore

No fount of sadness overwhelm

A people striving under God

Their spirits free forevermore

Chorus

No pestilence pollutes her shore

No fount of sadness overwhelm

A people striving under God

Their spirits free forever more.

Chorus

The Currency of Montserrat is the Eastern Caribbean dollar

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

Eastern Caribbean dollar Banknote

Eastern Caribbean 20 dollar Banknote
Eastern Caribbean 20 dollar Banknote

Eastern Caribbean dollar Coin

Eastern Caribbean 1 dollar Coin
Eastern Caribbean 1 dollar Coin

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. 

British West Indies dollar Banknote

British West Indies 1 dollar Banknote
British West Indies 1 dollar Banknote

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