What was the first polymer banknote?

No doubt when Numista goes banknote whoever is the ref for this nation will put this fact in the listing...

What was the very first polymer banknote?

Australia in 1988; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_banknote

I was going to say Australia too, but was not sure... with the above link I guess it's clarified.

I know that Brazil had some around early 2000 too. But not as early as Australia.

Australia is incorrect. Give up?

You must mean these then;
In 1983, the British printers Bradbury Wilkinson produced a promotional version of polymer banknotes which were marketed as Bradvek. The Isle of Man issued a 1-pound Bradvek banknote which circulated from 1983 to 1988. Another British printer, Harrison and Sons also produced a promotional banknote, but did not have any buyers.

Getting so much warmer...so very much.

Haiti produced and used in circulation notes printed on Tyvec in the denominations of 1-500 gourdes from 1980 thru 1983.

Specifically, the 50 gourdes is the worlds first polymer note. Tyvec was specifically developed for use as a platform for banknotes. Other than Haiti, Costa Rica also used Tyvec, only for a single denomination though. Test notes were circulated on Tyvec for Ecuador, and I think Venezuela...maybe others. Tyvec licensed their tech to the bank note firm that produced the circulating bradvek pound note. Beyond this...no popularity. While my notes look just fine, in circulation it seems that the inks did not adhere well...so years later a new type of polymer was tested...and Australia has run away with it since then.

But here in the Us, Tyvec lives on. You can find it in those non-tear envelopes you can get for free at the post office...you can also find it in a great deal of home and business construction where it is used as a breathable but non water permeable wrap used under siding and veneers...

Wouldn't these be great notes to see here on the natural home of money? Namely Numista.com

Romania had it's first polymer in 1999. Solar eclipse commemorative.

"In 1999, Romania was the first European country to introduce a full set of circulating polymer banknotes (the banknotes were issued between 1999 and 2001). These included the commemorative 2000 lei note which was issued to celebrate the last eclipse of the millennium."

I think the Isle of Man had this type of banknote many years ago, but cannot remember the exact date. Perhaps a true banknote collector can check on it.
On checking my banknote catalogue, I found the following entry.
Isle of Man. #39 1 Pound ND (1983) Green on m/c unpt. Like #25 but on Bradvek, a special plastic.

Found this when I read the Wikipedia page a little further, pictures of most of the notes that have been mentioned too ;


In 1982 and 1983, the American Bank Note Company printed banknotes for Costa Rica (20 colones dated 1983 and trial notes of 100 colones) and Haiti (1, 2, 50, 100, 250 and 500 Gourdes) on DuPont's Tyvek polymers. These had fairly limited release, but did circulate in each country. Additional trial and specimen banknotes were developed for Honduras and El Salvador. Unfortunately, in tropical climates, ink did not bind well to the polymer and the notes began smearing quite badly.
In 1983, the British printers Bradbury Wilkinson produced a promotional version of polymer banknotes which were marketed as Bradvek. The Isle of Man issued a 1-pound Bradvek banknote which circulated from 1983 to 1988. Another British printer, Harrison and Sons also produced a promotional banknote, but did not have any buyers.
In 1988, Australia issued a commemorative 10-dollar banknote, the first of many issues.

I have wrapped buildings, worn coveralls made of tyvec for chemical protection and never thought of it as polymer/plastic.
I think of myself as a collector, just not very knowledgable is all. lol A little smarter now though!
Thanks guys!

This is a great hobby. Try and get yourself one of those notes and exhibit it with a pair of those tyvek overalls. That would probably fascinate a lot of the public.

There are some who think their opinion outweighs facts.  That is sad when the facts are well…facts.