Costa Rican Colón Banknotes (CRC)

The Costa Rican colon stands among the world’s most celebrated wildlife currencies, presenting biodiversity, science and national identity as a unified visual system.

Quick Facts

Country: Costa Rica

Code: CRC

Symbol: ₡

System: Decimal (1 Colón = 100 Céntimos)

Status: In circulation

Issuer: Central Bank of Costa Rica

The Story of the Costa Rican Colón

Introduced in the late 19th century, the Colón replaced earlier peso systems as Costa Rica consolidated its national economy. Named after Cristóbal Colón, it accompanied the country’s transformation from a coffee-based society into a stable, education-driven and environmentally conscious nation. Over time, its banknotes evolved from historical and agricultural themes toward a groundbreaking ecological narrative. A decisive milestone came in the 21st century, when Costa Rica redefined its currency as a visual ambassador of biodiversity and sustainability, culminating in the transition to fully polymer banknotes and the withdrawal of earlier paper issues in 2021.

Design & Symbolism

The modern visual identity of the Costa Rican Colón is internationally acclaimed for its scientific precision and ecological storytelling. Each denomination highlights specific species and habitats: the sloth on the 10,000 Colones note, the hummingbird and Guaria Morada orchid on the 20,000, and the Morpho butterfly on the 50,000. The compositions extend into vertical reverses where ecosystems unfold in layered depth, creating a dynamic educational narrative. Printed on 100% polymer substrate, the series integrates advanced security features including transparent windows, color-shifting elements and finely detailed microstructures. A notable design innovation is the progressive variation in banknote size by denomination, improving accessibility for visually impaired users. The 20,000 and 50,000 Colones notes have received international recognition, including prestigious “Banknote of the Year” awards for their design excellence.

For collectors

For collectors, the Costa Rican Colón represents one of the most awarded and visually distinctive modern currency series. The current polymer notes are highly sought after for their biodiversity themes and global recognition. At the same time, the earlier paper “B” series—withdrawn in 2021—is rapidly gaining value in high-grade condition, marking a clear transition point in the country’s numismatic history. Collectors focus on pristine polymer notes with sharp transparency features, as well as scarce paper issues that document Costa Rica’s evolution from traditional design to one of the world’s most innovative banknote systems.

Biodiversity and scientific identity are embedded in the Costa Rican colón through vivid natural imagery.