Colonies of Demerary and Essequebo Currency & Banknote Values

The Greysheet Catalog (GSID) of the Colonies of Demerary and Essequebo series of Demerary and Essequebo in the World Currency contains 19 distinct entries with CPG® values between $100.00 and $1,100.00.

Although the former Dutch colonies were ruled by the British since 1803, the banknotes issued from 1809 through 1839 use the Dutch spelling of Demerary and Essequebo, and were dualdenominated in guilders and joes, a term used by the British colonists to refer to the Portuguese gold Johannes coins and the notes that eventually replaced them. Despite roughly 30 years of use, the only banknotes known to exist are unissued remainders from the 1830s.

The new paper issue of 1809 introduced 50,000 joes equivalent to 1,100,000 guilders. This was followed by an additional 25,807 joes in 1815, and 24,193 more in 1824, for a total circulation of just under 100,000 joes. Deemed to be a legal tender, the notes were partially backed by securities in London, though their ability to be redeemed for gold was questionable.

By 1837, records indicate that 99,989 joes had been issued in the following denominations: 1 joe (13,258 notes), 2 joes (8,189), 3 joes (4,201), 5 joes (3,150), 10 joes (1,700), and 20 joes (1,250). By 1839, there was a reference to a half-joe, although none are known to exist. As the composition of the issues making up these totals is unknown, this catalog has accounted for all denominations in each of the three note families, though it is likely that some of the unconfirmed notes never existed or none survive.