In a tribute to the legendary West Indies cricketer Sir Vivian Richards, special $2 banknote featuring a picture of the former batting star has been issued and are set to be in circulation across Eastern Caribbean countries. The notes will be in banks across Eastern Caribbean countries commencing on December 6. The memorial currency was launched in Antigua, Richards’ birth place, at a ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. 

A picture of the note that will be circulating has gone viral on social media:

Sir Viv Richards on the $2 currency note of carribbean. (Mohandas Menon) pic.twitter.com/5WesBu9qwb

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) December 3, 2023

Dreams Are Made Of This: Viv Richards

Meanwhile, Sir Vivian Richards has expressed his gratitude on the honour.

“To be honored in such a way is something dreams are made of,” Richards said as quoted by islandpressbox.com. He was presented the first-ever $2 note that features his picture.

Camillo Gonsalves, Chairman of the ECCB Monetary Council, reckons that those who prioritise money over representing West Indies or the betterment of West Indies Cricket may not be able to enjoy as much as success or stature that Sir Vivian enjoys.

“Today, apartheid raises its head in new forms and new locations, morphing into genocide, and our sports people are quiet. But Sir Viv was never quiet. Now, we have a modern set of cricketers so consumed with money that they forget the importance of the unity of the West Indies cricket team. Those who chased money in apartheid South Africa, those who chase money today, will never find themselves on money like Sir Viv does today,” Camillo Gonsalves was quoted as saying.

Richards is regarded as one of the best batters of his generation and counted among the all-time greats. He featured in 121 Tests and 187 ODIs for the Men in Maroon, averaging over 50 in Tests and over 47 in ODIs. In addition, he was also the captain of the side and led them to 27 wins. With him at the helm, the Windies never lost a Test series.