Bank Indonesia (BI) yesterday launched a brand new IDR75K (US$5) bill to celebrate Indonesia’s 75th anniversary, and early adopters will have their work cut out in securing the relatively limited commemorative bill.
According to the Finance Ministry, 75 million pieces of the IDR75K bill have entered gradual circulation phase and have become legal tender effective Aug. 17, 2020.
Those who want to get their hands on the new bill can reserve a spot in the central bank’s bill exchange program, which went live at 3PM yesterday.
To get in line, go to https://pintar.bi.go.id. There, you can choose your location and the date you wish to go to your respective area’s designated exchange location. Be warned: early dates have been booked out.
Your KTP (ID card) number, phone number, and email are required upon registration. BI says COVID-19 protocols will be observed at its exchange locations.
The first phase of BI’s exchange program is running from Aug. 17 to Sept. 30. From October onwards, distribution of the bill will be handled by BI and select banks, which have not yet been disclosed, but we can assume will at least include all the state-owned banks.
Indonesia’s new IDR75K bill is predominantly red and sports images of Indonesia’s founding fathers President Soekarno and Vice President Muhammad Hatta, so one may confuse it with the IDR100K bill at first glance.
Other than celebrating Indonesia’s history, the IDR75K bill also celebrates contemporary Indonesian achievements with the inclusion of images like Jakarta’s new-ish MRT, the trans-Java toll road, and the Youtefa Bridge in Papua.
