coming holiday weekend will be $84.5 million, according to the Bermuda Monetary Authority.

This figure, which does not include United States issue money also in circulation, is down 1.7 percent on last year when the figure stood at $86 million.

The authority said the figure was probably down from last year because of the exceptional demand over the holiday period last year due to the fears over the millennium bug.

The total amount of notes and coins issued to the banks by the BMA between December 1 and December 23 is $6.5 million, compared to $13.7 million the year before.

The BMA said: "Christmas is traditionally a period when the figure for notes and coins in circulation rises. This seasonal peak is normally reversed very quickly after the holiday.'' BUSINESS BUC