Jamaica's shift to copper plated steel for this denomination came as part of a broader regional move away from more expensive alloy compositions during the 1990s, driven largely by the cost pressures of persistent currency depreciation. The Jamaican dollar had lost the vast majority of its purchasing power through the late 1980s and early 1990s, making the metal value of older coinage compositions an increasing liability for the central bank.
Jamaica's shift to copper plated steel for this denomination came as part of a broader regional move away from more expensive alloy compositions during the 1990s, driven largely by the cost pressures of persistent currency depreciation. The Jamaican dollar had lost the vast majority of its purchasing power through the late 1980s and early 1990s, making the metal value of older coinage compositions an increasing liability for the central bank.