He commemorative ticket of Q100 of the Bank of Guatemala (Banguat) was awarded the prize “Best New Commemorative Banknote 2026” (Best New Commemorative Note of 2026), a recognition that highlights the innovation, design and security elements incorporated into new paper currency issues.
The distinction was awarded on the night of June 2 during High Security Printing Latin Americaone of the main meetings of the high security printing industry.
This year’s edition was held in Guatemala City from June 1 to 3 and brought together international experts, central banks and companies specialized in the production of banknotes and official documents.
The recognition comes just weeks after the new 100 quetzal bill began to circulate, on May 25, 2026, as part of the activities to commemorate the 100 years of Central Banking in Guatemala and the 80 years since the founding of the Bank of Guatemala.
With this award, Guatemala adds new international recognition and manages to stand out for the second consecutive year in a competition that rewards innovation, design and security in the issuance of paper money.
The Q100 commemorative bill incorporates security mechanisms that can only be seen when observed under certain lighting conditions. (Photo, Prensa Libre: Glenda Burrión)
The security measures that highlighted the Guatemalan banknote
High Security Printing Latin America, High Security Printing in Latin America, evaluates aspects of the incorporation of security technology and innovation applied to banknotes.
Security Thread
Among the elements that distinguish the Q100 commemorative ticket figure a security thread with microtext and movement effect when tilting the bill. This element allows you to observe the number 100 in both Arabic numerals and Mayan numerals.
In addition, it incorporates the image of the pictorial work Nahualá Indianwhich can also be seen as a watermark on the left side of the bill.
Protection and authentication
Other protection and authentication mechanisms were integrated around the effigy of Francisco Marroquín. At the top, touch-sensitive raised printed lines stand out, designed to facilitate the identification of the name by people with visual disabilities.
At the bottom is a latent image with the text “GB100”, visible only from certain angles.
On the back, a special ink stands out that changes from green to gold in the commemorative logo of the 80 years of the Bank of Guatemala.
Recognition also for cultural dissemination
The president of the Bank of Guatemala, Álvaro González Ricci, explained that the award not only valued the technical and security characteristics of the banknote, but also the institutional effort made to bring numismatics and the function of central banking closer to the population.
🏆 During the international event High Security Printing Latin America 2026, the president of the #MonetaryBoard and of #BancoDeGuatemalaAlvaro González Ricci, received the recognition for the Best New Commemorative Banknote of 2026 for the Q100 commemorative banknote of the Bank… pic.twitter.com/ffydidKeCH
— Bank of Guatemala (@Banguat) June 3, 2026
As indicated, the organizers highlighted the outreach actions promoted by the bank so that Guatemalans better understand the role of the institution and the historical importance of the national currency.
The recognition consolidates the new 100 bill as one of the most outstanding commemorative issues in the region and once again positions Guatemala among the Latin American leaders in design and innovation applied to paper money.