The Quetzal currency was set up in 1924 by President General José María Orellana, who led Guatemala from 1921 to 1926. This was the start of Guatemala moving towards a modern financial system with a unified monetary unit and central banking structure. The currency was named the “Quetzal” after the national bird, whose iridescent tail feathers served as currency in ancient Maya civilization. Today, both the bird and the currency remain powerful symbols of Guatemalan independence and pride.

Back to paper

The 1-quetzal commemorative banknote, released in September 2024, is the second of its kind in the history of Banco de Guatemala. The note keeps the classic green color scheme of previous issues in this denomination and pairs it with modern security and design features. One thing that's different is that it's back to paper, unlike the previous editions which were printed on polymer.

The front design symbolically reflects the establishment of the Quetzal as Guatemala’s national currency. In the center, an artistic circular motif commemorates the historic event with inscriptions that translate to „One Hundred Years of the Quetzal Monetary Unit“ and „A Century Accompanying a Nation.“ The central numeral „1“ is decorated with segments from the murals of Banco de Guatemala’s main building. To the right is a portrait of General José María Orellana, and on the left, a Quetzal bird perched on a column represents the enduring stability of the currency.

varifeye® ColourChange patch, LaserCut™ window appears in intensive blue

The note also features Louisenthal’s varifeye® ColourChange security patch that depicts the iconic arch of Santa Catalina in Antigua Guatemala, a symbol of resilience in the face of adversity. The octagonal patch shines gold under reflected light and displays a transparent blue window when held up to light. „When tilted, the patch transitions between the years „1924“ and „2024,“ marking the Quetzal's centenary and adding a high-security element with the optical color shift that facilitates authentication“, says Alexander Schweitzer, Giesecke+Devrients Regional Sales Manager LATAM, and continues: „With its tailored integration into the overall layout and substrate, the varifeye® ColourChange Patch opens up new possibilities by linking striking front-side images with contrasting shapes and effects on the reverse“.

varifeye® ColourChange patch

varifeye® ColourChange patch

A commemorative banknote that carries historical significance

The back of the note displays the current Banco de Guatemala building on the left, with the prominent mural by artist Roberto González Goyri. To the right of the building, the phrase „One Hundred Years of the Quetzal Monetary Unit“ is inscribed. The lower part features a precisely registered print of the national flag in a stylized form on both sides, accompanied by the motto „A Century Accompanying a Nation“. 

The decision to release the 1-quetzal note as a commemorative banknote carries historical significance. Originally discontinued in 2012 and replaced by a coin due to production costs, the 1-quetzal note symbolizes the establishment of the Quetzal as Guatemala’s currency and has returned as a collector’s item for this milestone, underscoring how deeply the currency is embedded in Guatemala's cultural identity: it masterfully blends cultural symbolism with innovative security and printing technology, reinforcing its role as a national symbol and a historical artifact.

Further Reading

varifeye® ColourChange Patch
Louisenthal’s state-of-the-art patch technology saves space on the banknote while enabling unique designs and instant recognizability. Our patches can be applied with different application systems.

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