100 pounds (US$162), 20TH DECEMBER 2007. Like P350, but new date.

Courtesy of Yuri Minkin.

Tags: Scotland

António Canas (lisbontrade.fair@gmail.com) is organizing the first Paper-Money and Coins Fair to take place in Lisbon, Portugal on 4 May 2013. Click here to download a PDF with details about the event.

Tags: Portugal

On 1 October 2012, the Central Bank of Dominican Republic issued a 200-peso (US$5.10) note with portions of the design changed in color from gray to green to avoid confusion with the existing 50-peso note.

The new note is like P178, but dated 2009. It carreis the same signature combination, the DE LA RUE imprint, and the denomination spelled out as PESOS ORO.

Courtesy of Shibu Paul & Ashley Alexander (www.ebanknoteshop.com).

Tags: Dominican Republic

200 pesos (US$15), 4 NOV. 2010. Like P125, but new date and signatures. Series AB.

Courtesy of Alberto Rios.

Tags: Mexico

According to a press release dated 24 April 2012, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has issued a series of banknotes with braille features in an effort to provide notes which are easier for blind and visually impaired persons to use.

The raised braille characters on the upgraded notes feature a cricket theme in the form of balls and stumps. These characters have been added to the 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-dollar notes. All the other features of the notes, including the profile watermark of Queen Elizabeth II, the security features and the images, remain the same.

The 10-, 20-, and 50-dollar notes with the braille features are now in circulation and are available at the commercial banks in the ECCB member countries . The 100-dollar note will be issued on demand. The 5-dollar note is not scheduled to be revised with braille.

Courtesy of Shibu Paul & Ashley Alexander (www.ebanknoteshop.com).

Tags: East Caribbean States

According to a press release dated 21 December 2012, the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey issued new signature varieties of the 10-, 20-, and 100-lira (US$5.50, $11, $56) notes on 24 December.


TL 10 (P223): Governor Erdem Başçı and Deputy Governor Necati Şahin.


TL 20 (P224): Governor Erdem Başçı and Deputy Governor Murat Çetinkaya.


TL 100 (P226): Governor Erdem Başçı and Deputy Governor Necati Şahin.

Courtesy of Okyay Demirors and Hartmut Fraunhoffer.

Tags: Turkey

5 dollars (US$0.05), 2011. Like CBL B6e, but new date.

100 dollars (US$1.40), 2011. Like CBL B10e, but new date and pearlescent ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS added on watermark area on front; pearlescent map added above signature at right on front.

WIth the confirmation of these two notes, all denominations have now been confirmed dated 2011.

Courtesy of Murtaza Karimjee (www.africanbanknotes.blogspot.com).

Tags: Liberia

B122 (PNL): 5,000 ouguiya (US$18)
Olive and ochre. Front: The Great Mosque Ibn Abbas in capital, Nouakchott; holographic patch with denomination in Arabic numerals (٥٠٠٠). Back: Unloading iron ore in the port of Nouadhibou; diesel train. Solid security thread printed BANQUE CENTRALE DE MAURITANIE. Watermark: Bearded man. Printer: (G&D). 150 x 70 mm.
a. 28.11.2011. Signature 12. Intro: 2012.

Courtesy of Fernando Iglesias and Hartmut Fraunhoffer.

Tags: Mauritania

According to a press release dated 13 December 2012, the introduction of the new Swiss 50-franc note has been delayed until 2015 at the earliest due to technical difficulties encountered in the note's production on Durasafe substrate.

Courtesy of Christoph Zellweger.

Tags: Switzerland

Like B149g, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of Garry Craig.

Tags: Zambia

1,000 pesos dominicanos (US$25), 2011. Like P180, but new signature, new date, denominated in pesos dominicanos, SPARK patch at left on front, and printed by Giesecke & Devrient with imprint on back.

Courtesy of Yuri111.

Tags: Dominican Republic

Like B910f, but new signature and date (2012). Series BJ.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Cuba

This video shows what appear to be new notes denominated in 1, 5, 10, 20, and 50 dinars from the Central Bank of Libya. There is no indication as to who is showing off the new notes. According to a Bahrain News Agency post dated 29 November 2012, the notes are expected to be introduced at the end of January 2013.


1 dinar - Front: Unknown. Back: Flag of Libya and peace doves.


5 dinars - Front: Ottoman Clock Tower. Back: Zeus Temple in Cyrene.


10 dinars - Front: Portrait of Omar Al Mukhtar. Back: Al Mukhtar horsemen.


20 dinars - Front: Al Ateeq mosque in the city of Oujlah in the oasis. Back: Traditional school in Ghdamis.


50 dinars - Front: Italian Lighthouse of Sede Khrebeech. Back: Stone arch in Tadrart Acacus.



Courtesy of Cedrian López Bosch Martineau, Mosab K. Ibrahim, Carmine Turco, and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Libya

100 pesos (US$2.45), 2011. Like P194, but green De La Salle 1991 - 2011 overprint. Intro: December 2012.

Courtesy of Sing Chai Tan and Justin Siy.

Tags: Philippines

According to an official press release dated 11 December 2012, the Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue 100-rupee (US$1.85) banknotes with inset letter L in the Mahatma Gandhi Series-2005, bearing the signature of Dr. D. Subbarao, Governor, Reserve Bank of India, and the year of printing 2012 printed on the reverse of the Bank note.

The design of these notes to be issued now is similar in all respects to the `100 Bank notes in Mahatma Gandhi Series- 2005, issued earlier.

All the Bank notes in the denomination of `100 issued by the Bank in the past will continue to be legal tender.

Courtesy of Phil Martin.

Tags: India

According to a PrintWeek article dated 10 December 2012, De La Rue's contract to print the UK's banknotes could come to an end as the Bank of England (BoE) has issued a tender notice asking up to five operators to bid for the £1bn contract.

It is only the second time that the contract has been outsourced since De La Rue took over banknote printing for BoE in 2003.

The contract, which could potentially run for up to 14 years, will see alternative suppliers bidding to print up to 12bn banknotes at BoE’s Debden, Essex facility.

BoE expects that the 200 staff at the Debden plant will be transferred to the new supplier should the contract be awarded away from De La Rue.

The new supplier would be responsible for the maintenance of Debden’s printing machinery, which is expected to be refurbished or replaced with the payment of capital costs coming from BoE.

The tender also states that the new supplier would need to accomodate changes in the features or substrates included in banknote production in line with security reviews by the governing body.

Bidding operators must have at least three years of experience in commercial banknote printing and have printed at least 500m banknotes over a 12-month period at one site in the past three years as payment will depend on the volumes of accepted banknotes produced.

The deadline for bids is 31 January 2013, and BoE expects that banknote production will commence from April 2015 following a six to twelve month transition period between suppliers. The successful participant will have the option to extend the contract by a further 36 months.

One provision in the tender that has gotten the attention of banknote collectors is the requirement that the printers be able to handle printing on polymer, not just the paper substrate traditionally used on Bank of England notes. To be clear, however, the bank hasn't committed to printing new notes on polymer; it's simply ensuring that polymer is an option regardless of who it chooses as its new printer.

Tags: England, Polymer

This CapioNet page contains an article and English-language video showing the chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan accepting the IBNS Bank Note of the Year award for 2011.

Tags: Kazakhstan

According to a press release dated 6 December 2012, on 1 April 2013 the Bank of Uganda will revoke the legal tender status of all notes printed before 2010, though such notes can still be exchanged for 2010 series notes at bank branches until the end of 2013, at which time they will be demonetized.

Tags: Uganda

10 taka (US$0.10), 2012. Like BB B49a (PNL), but with thin (not thick) text above mosque entrance on back.

Courtesy of G. Scheidl.

Tags: Bangladesh

5 bolívares (US$1.15), 24 DE MAYO DE 2007. Like P89, but new date.

Courtesy of Alexander Petrov.

Tags: Venezuela

According to a Norges Bank press release dated 4 December 2012, Norges Bank has started on a project to develop a new banknote series. This will be the eighth series of krone-denominated banknotes. There is a need to enhance the security of Norwegian banknotes so that they will continue to be hard to counterfeit.

Why is Norges Bank going to replace Norwegian banknotes?
As the central bank, Norges Bank bears the responsibility that Norwegian banknotes function effectively as means of payment and have adequate functionality and that the general public has confidence that the notes they use are genuine. This means, for example, that genuine banknotes should be easy to identify. Norwegian banknotes must therefore have security features that are sufficient to deter counterfeiting.

The likelihood of Norwegian banknotes being counterfeited may be reduced by ensuring that the notes' security features are not inferior to those on comparable countries' banknotes. A number of countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Canada, Switzerland and the Euro countries, have introduced or are about to introduce new banknote series with enhanced security. This requires an enhancement of the security features on Norwegian banknotes too. And because developing a new banknote series takes time, work to develop a new series needs to begin now.

Moreover, it has been nearly 20 years since the appearance of first banknote in the current series (the 200-krone note). Norges Bank has already upgraded this series once, and has concluded that further upgrades of the existing banknote series would be impractical.

When will the new banknotes be introduced?
Developing a new banknote series is a complicated and demanding project that poses considerable challenges and various types of risk at all stages. Experience from other countries that have introduced or are about to introduce new banknotes suggests that it takes several years from the time work commences until the notes are placed into circulation.

Why does it take so long to create a new banknote series?
First, Norges Bank will select a theme for the new banknote series. For this effort, the Bank will solicit advice from outside. Once the theme has been approved, the Bank will choose the main elements of the banknotes' design. It may be appropriate to invite one or more artists to propose motifs.

Then the work begins to select security elements and the type of paper. The design components and look of a banknote have a close bearing on the work on security elements. It is a demanding task to place the security elements in a way that makes the banknote aesthetically pleasing, yet meets all technical requirements. At this stage, external stakeholders, such as banks, retail trade and organisations for the blind and visually impaired will be involved to ensure that their needs are addressed.

The banknotes are also supposed to function in vending machines and ATMs, and will be available for testing in sufficient time before being placed into circulation. Introducing new banknotes and withdrawing old ones also requires an extensive information campaign targeting banks, retail outlets and the general public. All these factors help to make the work on a new banknote series a protracted process.

Who decides that we will be getting new banknotes and what they will look like?
It is Norges Bank that has decided that work will begin on a new banknote series (cf. Section 13 of the Norges Bank Act). It is also the central bank that will approve the theme, motifs, format, colours and range of denominations. The Ministry of Finance will be kept informed, as it states in the Norges Bank Act: "Before the Bank makes any decision of special importance, the matter shall be submitted to the ministry." Since approval of a new banknote series is a decision of special importance, the matter will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance.

Do we even need banknotes now that most people pay with a card?
Banknotes are and will continue to be an important part of the infrastructure of the payment system, and the quantity of cash in circulation has remained at around the same level in recent years. In other words, there is still a need for banknotes.

It is also the Bank's experience that whenever electronic payment systems do not function, or there are fears that these systems will cease to function, the general public increases its demand for cash. Thus, cash serves as a backup.

Will there be a change in the denominations of banknotes?
Norges Bank is responsible for ensuring an appropriate range of denominations. An assessment of which denominations to include in the new series is a part of the project.

Will Norges Bank also be introducing new coins?
Norges Bank has no plans to make changes to the current coin series. But in connection with development of a new banknote series and the range of denominations, the Bank will considerer whether the 50-krone note should be replaced with a coin.

What will happen to current banknotes?
From the date new notes are introduced, Norges Bank will approve the withdrawal of existing notes from circulation. This is authorised by Section 15 of the Norges Bank. A decision to withdraw banknotes will be announced in the Norwegian Legal Gazette (Norsk Lovtidend) and Norway's largest newspapers.

Following the announcement, the notes will continue to be legal tender and may be used in the ordinary manner for one year. After that, Norges Bank is obliged to redeem them for an additional ten years.

Courtesy of Phil Martin.

Tags: Norway

The Nicaragua chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 37-page catalog covers notes issued by the Banco Central de Nicaragua (Central Bank of Nicaragua) from 1962 to present. Tesoro Nacional, Tesoro General, and Banco Nacional de Nicaragua notes are not currently included in this chapter. Revised 17.06.2018.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


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Tags: Nicaragua

TMB B23 (PNL): 5 manat (US$1.75)
Tan. Front: Map of Turkmenistan; coat of arms; Soltan Sansar Türkmen. Back: Buildings; Garassyzlyk Binasy and Bitaraplyk Binasy (Independence Monument and Neutrality Arch in Ashgabat); five stars and crescent moon. Solid security thread and solid security thread with demetalized 5TMB. Watermark: Soltan Sansar Türkmen; electrotype five stars, crescent moon, and 5; Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 126 x 63 mm.

Like TMB B16 (P23), but the lower right front around the denomination numeral has been redesigned, the date and signature (Tuvakmammet Japarov) are new, and a pearlescent stripe has been added on back.

Courtesy of Alexander Petrov.

Tags: Turkmenistan

TMB B25 (PNL): 20 manat (US$7)
Purple. Front: Map of Turkmenistan; coat of arms; Görogly Beg Türkmen. Back: Ruhyyet Köşgi (Ruhyyet Palace) building; five stars and crescent moon. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized 20 MANAT. Watermark: Görogly Beg Türkmen; electrotype five stars, crescent moon, and 20; Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 138 x 69 mm.

Like TMB B18 (P25), but the lower right front around the denomination numeral has been redesigned, the date and signature (Tuvakmammet Japarov) are new, and a pearlescent stripe has been added on back.

Courtesy of Alexander Petrov.

Tags: Turkmenistan

According to a Fiji Broadcasting Corporation article dated 29 November 2012, the Reserve Bank of Fiji intends to unveil a new series of banknotes and coins on 12 December 2012, and to issue same beginning 2 January 2013. The new designs of Fijian flora and fauna will replace the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II on all denominations. The existing 2-dollar note will be replaced by a coin.

Courtesy of David Surette.

Tags: Fiji

1 leu, 2010. Like B108, but without security thread.

Courtesy of G. Scheidl.

Tags: Moldova

TMB B24 (PNL): 10 manat (US$3.50)
Red. Front: Map of Turkmenistan; coat of arms; Magtymguly Pyragy. Back: Türkmenistanyň Merkezi Banky (Turkmenistan central bank) headquarters building; five stars and crescent moon. Solid security thread and windowed security thread with demetalized 10 MANAT. Watermark: Magtymguly Pyragy; electrotype five stars, crescent moon, and 10; Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 132 x 66 mm. a. 2012. Signature 5. Intro: September 2012.

Like TMB B17 (P24), but the lower right front around the denomination numeral has been redesigned, the date and signature (Tuvakmammet Japarov) are new, and a pearlescent stripe has been added on back.

Courtesy of Alexander Petrov.

Tags: Turkmenistan

According to a Reuters article dated 13 June 2012, Syria has begun issuing new banknotes printed in Russia by Goznak, that nation's largest security printer. Syria's current 2009 issues (Pick 112-114) were printed by Oesterreichische Banknoten- und Sicherheitsdruck in Austria, but OeBS has pulled out of the troubled country due to international pressure in the wake of the crackdown on protests against President Bashar Assad’s regime. The new Russian-printed notes are of the older design (P111), originally issued in 1997.

The new notes are identical to the 1997 issues, but do not have the small map of Syria on the back, and the English serial numbers at lower right front are normal, not novel (increasing in size). The font of the English serial numbers matches that used on Russian notes printed by Goznak.



According to a subsequent article dated 19 June 2012, Adib Mayyaleh, governor of the Central Bank of Syria, has denied that Russia is printing new notes for Syria, and stated that worn notes are being replaced following a long-established routine.

UPDATE: According to a ProPublica report dated 26 November 2012, records of overflight requests prove that a total of 240 tons of bank notes moved from Moscow to Damascus over a 10-week period beginning 9 July and ending on 15 September.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and Abdullah Beydoun.

Tags: Syria

10, 25, 50, and 100 gulden notes (BNA B25, B27, and B28, respectively) have been confirmed dated 1 juni 2012 with the same signature combination as the preceding issues (Jerrald M. Hasselmeyer and Emsley D. Tromp). These notes are rather unusual in that they bear the issuer name as the Bank van de Nederlandse Antillen, even though the Netherlands Antilles was dissolved as a unified political entity on 10 October 2010, and the old bank became the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en St Maarten which had plans to introduce a new common currency, the Curaçao St Maarten guilder (CMG) in 2012.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Tags: Netherlands Antilles

According to a press release dated 26 November 2012, the Bank of England has announced that Mark Carney has been appointed governor of the bank from 1 July 2013. He will succeed Sir Mervyn King. Carney is currently Governor of the Bank of Canada, having taken up his office on 1 February 2008. The move will likely mean new signature varieties for Canada's banknotes, but not for those in Great Britain, where the notes are signed by the chief cashier.

Courtesy of Jim Chen, Alex Zlotin, and Aidan Work.

Tags: Canada, England

According to an article in The Economic Times dated 23 November 2012, the Reserve Bank of India plans to gradually replace all 10-rupee (US$0.20) banknotes with coins because the latter are more economical in the long run.

Tags: India

The Lebanon chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 47-page catalog covers notes issued by the Banque de Syrie et du Grand-Liban (Bank of Syria and Greater Lebanon) from 1925 to 1939, the Banque de Syrie et du Liban (Bank of Syria and Lebanon) from 1939 to 1964, the République Libanaise (Lebanese Republic) from 1942 to 1950, and the Banque du Liban (Bank of Lebanon) from 1964 to present. Revised 27.10.2018.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Lebanon

According to a press release dated 2 November 2012, the Reserve Bank of India will soon issue a 10-rupee (US$0.20) note dated 2012 with rupee symbol and inset letter A. This note has been confirmed as issued.

Courtesy of Mohamed Ibrahim.

Tags: India

According to a press release dated 30 October 2012, on 6 November the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) plans to issue a new series of banknotes in South Africa and in neighboring countries (Lesotho, Namibia, and Swaziland) that use the South African Rand as an alternative currency.

The new R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200 banknotes feature a portrait of former president Nelson Mandela on front, while the back of the notes have maintained the “Big Five” animal images that appear on current banknotes. The current and the new banknotes are the same size, have the same colors, and will co-circulate as legal tender.

















Courtesy of Thomas Krause and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: South Africa

10 patacas (US$1.25), 8 DE AGOSTO DE 2010. Like P80, but new date and new signatures (Herculano de Sousa and Rodolfo Vasco Lavrador).

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger.

Tags: Macau

According to a press release, the Bank of Canada's new 20-dollar (US$20) note was issued on 7 November 2012. The new note is printed on polymer (specifically, Guardian, a biaxialoriented polypropylene substrate manufactured by Securency International of Australia). "As with the previously issued $50 and $100 polymer bank notes, the main reason for issuing a new $20 is to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats. The new polymer notes are also more economical and have a smaller environmental footprint."


Green. Front: Maple leaf; Queen Elizabeth II. Back: Flowers; Canadian National Vimy Memorial in Vimy, France; flowers. Holographic stripe with Queen Elizabeth II and tower. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: Unknown. 152 x 70 mm. Polymer.



Courtesy of Aidan Work, Thomas Krause, Will Mitchell, Claudio Marana, Phil Martin, and Marcus Jansson.

Tags: Canada, Polymer

Like BFX910b, but new date (2011), new signature (Ernesto Medina Villaveirán), and prefix FD. The new signature is printed atop the embossed old signature.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Cuba

The Seychelles chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 21-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of Seychelles from 1914 to 1975, and the Central Bank of Seychelles from 1983 to present. Revised 10.01.2019.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Seychelles

According to a press release dated 14 November 2012, the Bank of Israel claims "the new series of banknotes is in the final stages of design. The first two banknotes, in denominations of NIS 50 and NIS 200, are expected to be issued in the second half of 2013, and the other two denominations, NIS 20 and NIS 100, are expected to be issued in the beginning of 2014. The name of the currency will remain New Shekel. As previously noted, banknotes in the new series will incorporate advanced security features, and will be of varying sizes in order to assist the visually impaired to distinguish between the various denominations."

Courtesy of David Surette.

Tags: Israel

According to an article on Trend.az dated 14 November 2012, First Deputy Chairman Alim Guliyev confirms that the Central Bank of Azerbaijan plans to issue 200- and 500-manat banknotes, though these are only plans and no decisions have been made on this issue. Currently the largest denomination is the 100-manat note (AMB B19 / P30) with a face value of US$127.

Tags: Azerbaijan

100 pesos, 2005. Like P129, but new date and prefix AD.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Cuba

500 francs (US$1.30), 2006. Like B306a, but new signatures and new title for right-hand signatory (possibly Mze Aboudou Mohamed Chafioun).

1,000 francs (US$2.60), 2005. Like B307a, but new signatures (as above).

Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (www.banknoten.de) and Gergely Scheidl.

Tags: Comoros

Like B325d, but new date (1st. NOVEMBER 2011) and new signatures (Glenford Ysaguirre, Joseph Waight, and Damien Gough). Prefix DN.

Courtesy of Alexander Petrov.

Tags: Belize

50 pesos (US$1.20), 2012. Like P207, but new date.

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger and Goodluck4u888.

Tags: Philippines

Like BFX908d, but new date (2012), new signature (Ernesto Medina Villaveirán), and new prefix DG.

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger and Orocondor.

Tags: Cuba

100 ouguiya (US$0.35), 28.11.2011. Like preceding issue (B114), but new date, new signatures, windowed security thread, and other minor changes to the overall design, including removal of second horizontal serial number on front and added OVI denomination at lower right on back.

Courtesy of Marian Klubert and Orocondor.

Tags: Mauritania

The Bahamas chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 28-page catalog covers notes issued by the Bahamas Government from 1919 to 1965, the Bahamas Monetary Authority in 1968, and the Central Bank of the Bahamas from 1974 to present. Revised 03.02.2019.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Bahamas

Norges Bank has announced that the notes dated 1977-1998 (Pick 41-P45) were demonetized as 1 November 2012.

Courtesy of Sune Persson.

Tags: Norway

I am cataloging the Bank of Lebanon's notes for publication in The Banknote Book, and I have been unable to identify a few items which appear on these notes.

The front of the 1-livre notes (BDL B1/P61) dated 1964-1980 depict the ruins of Corinthian columns of the Roman Temple of Jupiter in Baalbek. However, I can't find any info on the unknown archeological artifact shown below.


The front of the 5-livre notes (BDL B2/P62) dated 1964-1986 depict the National Museum of Beirut building with columns. However, I can't find any info on the kneeling bull sculpture, figure with raised arm standing on coin, nor the meaning or language of the writing in the border.

IDENTIFIED: The bull is a protome from the Aecheminid Dynasty (5th Century BC) found in Sidon, Lebanon.
IDENTIFIED: The writing in the margins look to be Phoenician, though the meaning and source of the inscription is still unclear.
IDENTIFIED: The figure is Baal with raised arm standing on 400-330 BC Phoenician 1/8th shekel silver coin from the City of Byblos, King Adramelek.

If anyone knows what these objects are, please contact me with details.

Courtesy of Petar II Blagojevic, Robin Hughes, Don Cleveland, and Abdullah Beydoun.

Tags: Lebanon

According to a press release dated 8 November 2012, "The European Central Bank (ECB) and the national central banks (NCBs) of the Eurosystem are to introduce a second series of euro banknotes. Called the “Europa” series, it will include a portrait of Europa – a figure from Greek mythology and the origin of the name of our continent – in the watermark and the hologram. The new banknotes will be introduced gradually over several years, starting with the €5 banknote in May 2013.

The Europa series has benefited from advances in banknote technology since the first series was introduced over ten years ago. Its security features have been enhanced, which will help to make the banknotes even more secure. Three new features – the portrait watermark, portrait hologram and emerald number – have been unveiled today.

The new banknotes are an evolution. Like the first series, they will have the “ages and styles” design and the same dominant colours, but they have been modified to accommodate the enhanced security features. They will be easy to distinguish from the first series. The Europa series will have the same denominations as its predecessor, i.e. €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500, and they will be introduced in ascending order. Thus, the new €10 banknote will follow the €5.

The first series will initially circulate alongside the new banknotes, but will gradually be withdrawn and eventually cease to be legal tender. The date when this occurs will be announced well in advance. However, the banknotes of the first series will retain their value indefinitely and can be exchanged at the Eurosystem NCBs at any time.

The Europa series €5 banknote will be unveiled in full on 10 January 2013 and credit institutions will start to issue the new notes over the counter or via cash dispensers in May next year.

In order to raise public awareness of the Europa series, the ECB and the NCBs of the Eurosystem will be conducting a multi-channel information campaign across the euro area in 2013. Preparations are currently under way, supported by two agencies chosen by the ECB following a public tender."

Courtesy of Ricardo Castedo, J. M. Peso, Alex Zlotin, and José Luis Arrayás.

Tags: European Monetary Union

Like B326c, but new date (1st. NOVEMBER 2011) and new signatures (Glenford Ysaguirre, Joseph Waight, and Manuel Esquivel). Prefix DH.

Courtesy of Numis-Phil.

Tags: Belize

100 pesos (US$7.70), 10 ENE. 2012. Like P124, but new date and new signatures (Roberto del Cueto Legaspi and Alejandro Alegre Rabiela). Series N.

Courtesy of Alberto Rios.

Tags: Mexico

According to an article on Tahiti News dated 26 October 2012, the Institut d'Emission d'Outre-Mer will issue new notes denominated 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, and 20000 francs CFP in early 2014. The designs have not yet been revealed, but they will be smaller in size than the current notes, and the colors will be green for 500, yellow for 1000, blue for 5000, red for 10000, and purple for 20000 francs CFP.

Tags: New Caledonia, Tahiti, Wallis and Futuna

According to an article on EUObserver dated 5 November 2012, "The European Central Bank is Thursday to present a plan for replacing current euro notes with safer ones from [May] 2013, Hessischer Rundfunk reported Sunday. The second generation euro notes will still have values from five to €500, but motifs will change and improved security features will make forgery more difficult."

Courtesy of José Luis Arrayás.

Tags: European Monetary Union

This note supposedly commemorates the 15th anniversary of the Moldovan leu, which was introduced on 29 November 1993. Apparently the first 150 1-leu notes dated 2006 were embossed in the Czech Republic with a gold medalion at right front containing the bank logo, the words 15 ANI (15 years), and Ştefan cel Mare.

However, the National Bank of Moldova has declared this privately produced numismatic product a fake.

Courtesy of the National Bank of Moldova, James Pickering, Vadim Tislenko, and Dmitry Zagorenko.

Tags: Moldova

Beginning with the Bahamas' 50-cent note (P42) introduced in 1984, the back has depicted "Sister Sarah in Nassau Market." However, the bank's web site makes no mention of who this woman is, or why she is featured on the banknote. If anyone knows if she is in fact a real person, an archetype, or a fictional character, please contact me with details.

IDENTIFIED: According to Paul Walters, "Sister Sarah is indeed a real person. I am not sure if she is still living, I don't think she is. She was a prominant figure at the straw market in the 1970s, when the market was located along the dock--before it moved to its present day location on Bay street."

Alex Zlotin found this article that refers to Sister Sarah Johnson as a local artisan straw weaver.

Tags: Bahamas

1,000 pesos (US$0.55), 11 DE JUNIO DE 2011. Like P456, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer.

Tags: Colombia

In preparing the Bahamas chapter of The Banknote Book for publication next week, I discovered a mystery regarding the $20 note issued in the early 1990s.

The last $20 note featuring Queen Elizabeth on front was introduced in 1984. This is Pick 47.

In the early 1990s, Milo Butler's portrait replaced QEII on the front of the $20, though the law date remains 1974. This note is Pick 54.

The subsequent $20 features revised color schemes, the series year 1997, and horizontal novel serial numbers. This note is Pick 65.

The mystery revolves around the harbor scene on the back of these notes.

On the P47 note, Nassau Harbour is depicted from one angle, without Paradise Island visible. This is the "old" scene.

On the P65 note, the angle of the scene is different, and both Nassau Harbour and Paradise Island are visible and labeled. This is the "new" scene.

It appears that both the old and new scenes were used on P54. The note depicted in the SCWPM bears a serial number of A 163107 and has a "new" scene on back similar (not identical) to that of P65. However, I have scans of a note with serial number A 573516, but the back is similar (not identical) to the "old" scene on P47. I also have scans with later prefixes and serial numbers that show the "new" scene like P65.

So, based upon the limited evidence on hand, it appears that the early $20 notes featuring Bulter's portrait had the new harbor scene, then a batch was produced with the old scene, then the back reverted to the new scene.

In the interest of trying to narrow down when the changes to the back took place, I ask that anyone who owns a Bulter $20 note with law date of 1974 please send front/back scans to owen@banknotenews.com.


Back of Pick 47 with "old" harbor scene


Back of Pick 54 with "old" harbor scene


Back of Pick 54 with "new" harbor scene


Back of Pick 65 with "new" harbor scene

Tags: Bahamas

1 quetzal (US$0.15), 23 DE NOVIEMBRE DE 2011. Like Pick 115, but new date, new signatures (Sergio Francisco Recinos Rivera and Edgar Baltazar Barquín Durán), and flag added to front and back. Polymer.

Courtesy of Alexander Petrov and Thomas Krause.

Tags: Guatemala, Polymer

According to an article in the Belfast Telegraph dated 11 May 2012, by the end of 2012 Northern Bank will be rebranded under the name of its Danish parent, Danske Bank, with new banknotes in circulation within a year.

According to an article in The Irish News dated 20 October 2012, Northern Bank plans a "full communications programme" in advance of introducing the new Danske Bank-branded banknotes in mid-2013. "Apart from the Northern Bank logo being replaced by a Danske Bank logo all other features of the note will remain basically the same," said the bank.

Tags: Northern Ireland

The North Korea chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 23-page catalog covers notes issued by the Central Bank of North Korea in 1947, the Trade Bank of DPRK in 1988, and the Central Bank of the DPRK from 1959 to present. Revised 12 May 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: North Korea

200 pesos uruguayos (US$10), 2011. Like P89, but new date, new signatures, series E, new screen trap pattern, wider windowed security thread, and printer imprint (DE LA RUE).

Courtesy of Yuri Minkin (myworld.ebay.com/yuri111).

Tags: Uruguay

50 dollars (US$25), 1 MAY 2007. Like CBB B29 (P70), but new signature (DeLisle Worrell).

Courtesy of Yuri Minkin (myworld.ebay.com/yuri111).

Tags: Barbados

50 kroner (US$8.70), 2011. Like P46, but new date and signatures (Øystein Olsen / Trond Eklund).

Courtesy of Håkon Meidell-Pritzier Hagelund.

Tags: Norway

According to a press release dated 23 October 2012, the Reserve Bank of India will soon issue a 100-rupee (US$1.87) note dated 2012 with rupee symbol and inset letter E.

Tags: India

50 bolivares (US$12), 3 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2009. Like P92, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Collect Numis (http://stores.ebay.com/COLLECTNUMIS-NET).

Tags: Venezuela

10 dollars (US$0.15), 2011. Like CBL B7 (P27), but new date.

Courtesy of Collect Numis (http://stores.ebay.com/COLLECTNUMIS-NET).

Tags: Liberia

Foreign Affairs Secretary Secretary Albert F. del Rosario with fomer President Fidel V. Ramos and Indonesian Ambassador Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo holding a souvenir copy of the special edition 50-peso Philippine banknote bearning the ASEAN logo.

According to a press release dated 8 August 2012, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas introduced a new 50-peso (US$1.20) banknote bearing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) logo during the 45th ASEAN Day celebration at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Main Building in Pasay City on 10 August.

Souvenir copies of the special edition currency were distributed by Secretary del Rosario to the nine Ambassadors of ASEAN, namely: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam during the ASEAN Day celebration.

10 million pieces of the legal tender commemorative notes will be issued into circulation.

Courtesy of Pinoy Numnet and TDS.

Tags: Philippines

5,000 shillings (US$2.10), 2011. Like BOU B56 (P51), but new date.

Courtesy of Hermann Huber and Ny Andry Ranaivosolo.

Tags: Uganda

According to an article in MarketWatch dated 17 October 2012, Germany's Koenig & Bauer Aktiengesellschaft (KBA) has agreed to stop supplying SPMO [Iran's Security Printing and Minting Organization] and the Central Bank of Iran with the equipment needed to produce rial banknotes, as part of international efforts to force Iran to halt its nuclear ambitions.

Tags: Iran

Like B281d, but new date.

Courtesy of Daniel Mendea.

Tags: Romania

1,000 francs (US$12), no date. Like IEOM B2 (P2), but new signatures (Nicolas de Seze, Christian Noyer, and Patrick Besse).

Courtesy of Jean-Michel Engels and Olivier Galand.

Tags: French Pacific Territories

According to an Associated Press article dated 12 October 2012, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has reported that a "large amount" of newly-designed 100-dollar notes was stolen from a plane that arrived at Philadelphia International Airport around 10:25 a.m. Thursday from Dallas. The newly designed notes aren't scheduled for introduction until 2013, so they will be very hard to spend until then, and presumably the FBI has the serial numbers of the stolen notes as they are all uncirculated from the Fort Worth printing facility of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

Courtesy of Dennis Zammit.

Tags: United States

According to a press release issued by the Reserve Bank of India dated 12 October 2012, a new 50-rupee (US$0.95) note dated 2012 with rupee symbol and inset letter R will be issued soon.

Tags: India

TMB B22 (PNL): 1 manat (US$0.35)
Green. Front: Map of Turkmenistan; coat of arms; Togrul Beg Türkmen. Back: Beyik Saparmyrat Türkmenbasynyň Milli Medeniyet Merkezi (National Cultural Centre of Turkmenistan) buildings; five stars and crescent moon. Solid security thread and solid security thread with demetalized 1TMB. Watermark: Togrul Beg Türkmen; electrotype five stars, crescent moon, and 1; Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 120 x 60 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 5. Intro: September 2012.

Like TMB B15 (P22), but the lower right front around the denomination numeral has been redesigned, the date and signature (Tuvakmammet Japarov) are new, and a pearlescent stripe has been added on back.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and Mikhail "Mike" Prizov.

Tags: Turkmenistan

The Nepal chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 30-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of Nepal from 1945 to 1953, and the Nepal Rastra Bank from 1960 to present. Revised 15 June 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Nepal

500 córdobas (US$21), 12 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2007. Like P206, but bank logo at upper right front now a hologram, not OVI, and different, wider windowed security thread.

Courtesy of Chris Twining (Page's Coins and Currency).

Tags: Nicaragua

CoinWeek has posted an interesting video created by David Lisot, host and producer of CoinWeek video news service, during a recent trip to Europe attended the Maastricht Paper Money Fair held in Valkenburg Netherlands.

David interviewed many of the participants at the show finding out what collectors have in common with their counterparts in the United States. He addressed the economic situation in Europe and whether the hobby has been affected by the downturn in the workplace and the debt crisis affecting so many countries. He also shows examples of the some of the more popular bank notes collectors are buying.

Courtesy of Aidan Work.

Tags: World

500 baht (US$16), no date. Like P107, but new signatures (Kittirat na Ranong and Prasarn Trairatvorakul).

Courtesy of Vic Krysko.

Tags: Thailand

2,000 francs (US$TK), 2002. Like P508, but new signatures (Lucas Abaga Nchama and Louis Aleka-Rybert).

Courtesy of Vic Krysko.

Tags: Central African States

According to a press release (in Arabic only) by the Central Bank of Lebanon, a new 20,000-pound (US$13) note has been issued on 28 September 2012, and is dated 17 June 2012. It appears to have a Motion windowed security thread, cedar tree watermark with electrotype denomination numerals in Arabic, latent image, embossed BDL, and braille dots.

Courtesy of Claude Akl, Claudio Marana and Abdullah Beydoun.

Tags: Lebanon

The Gilbert and Ellice Islands chapter of The Banknote Book is now available as a free download.

This 2-page catalog covers notes issued by the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government in 1942. Revised 25 June 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Gilbert and Ellice Islands

The Oceania chapter of The Banknote Book is now available as a free download.

This 2-page catalog covers notes issued by the Japanese Government in 1942. Revised 26 April 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Oceania

A New Book on Tibetan Paper Money
Wolfgang Bertsch: The Paper Currency of Tibet. Gundernhausen near Darmstadt (Germany) and Lalitpur (Nepal), 2012. VI plus 274 pages. ISBN 978-99933-982-7-1

You can order the book from the author: Wolfgang Bertsch

Tibetan banknotes were issued between 1912/13 and 1959. The first series of “Tam” notes was printed by hand with woodblocks on handmade paper. The multicoloured 50 Tam notes and the following issues in “Srang” were machine printed on native papers. All Tibetan notes were numbered by hand by specially trained calligraphists.
Owing to their artistic design Tibetan banknotes can be considered as part of Tibet’s cultural heritage.
This book explores the historical background which led to their issue, the way in which they were produced and the merit of their artisic design.

The first four chapters of the book are dedicated to the paper notes which were printed and released in Lhasa and include a catalogue part with estimated values of the different issues and their variants. The fifth chapter is dedicated ot semi-official notes issued by an Eastern Tibetan monastery, while the last chapter is dealing with banknotes which bear both Chinese and Tibetan inscriptions and were put into circulation by Chinese authorities in the former province of Xikang which comprised parts of Eastern Tibet and Western Sichuan. Ten apendices provide further information for the specialist and an extensive bibliography concludes the book.

The book is profusely illustrated; all types of the banknotes and many variants and trial prints are reproduced in colour.

With this comprehensive study of Tibetan paper money the author has in mind both the more academically inclined reader who wants to be thouroughly informed about one fascinating aspect of Tibet’s cultural history of the 20th century and the collector of Tibetan banknotes who wishes to identify the pieces in his collection and find out their approximate market value.

CONTENTS
PREFACE
Introduction

CHAPTER I : THE EARLY NOTES IN TAM DENOMINATION
1. The Printing of the the Notes
2. The Ink and the Paper used for the early Banknotes
3. The Seals on the Banknotes in Tam Denomination
4. The 5 Tam Note
4. The 10 Tam Note
6. The 15 Tam Note
7. The 25 Tam Note
8. The blue 50 Tam Note

CHAPTER II
1. The Multicoloured 50 Tam Note
2. A 50 Tam Notes with additional bogus red seals
3. The Project Regarding the Issue of a Multicoloured 25 Tam Note
4. Trial Prints for the planned issue of 25 Tam Notes

CHAPTER III The 100 Srang Note
1. The 100 Tam Srang Note
1 A. The 100 Srang Note
1 B. Forgeries of 100 Srang Notes

CHAPTER IV The 10, 5 and 25 Srang Notes
1. The 10 Srang Note
2. The 5 Srang Note
3. The 25 Srang Note.

CHAPTER V The Paper Notes of Tashi Dargyas Monastery

CHAPTER VI Banknotes from Eastern Tibet (former Province of Xikang)
1. The Banknotes of the Provincial Bank of Xikang
2. Banknotes of the Farmers Bank with Tibetan Overprints
3. Notes of the Central Bank of China with Tibetan Overprints
4. A Note from Gansu Province with Tibetan Legends
Bibliography for Chapter VI

Appendix I: From a letter by W.G. Surkhang to H. Richardson, dated Seattle, July 19, 1966
Appendix II: Copy of a letter by Wesley E. Needham to Joseph J. Woodburn, Jr., dated Westhaven, Conn., April 4, 1951
Appendix III: Transcription of the gist of an Interview by Wolfgang Bertsch with Gelong Lobsang Dhonden on 27th Nov. 1998 at Dharamsala
Appendix IV: Extraxts from a letter by D.N.Tsarong to W. Bertsch
Appendix V: Market Values of Tibetan Banknotes
Appendix VI: The Dates found on Tibetan Banknotes.
Appendix VII: The Scripts used on Tibetan Banknotes
Appendix VIII: Tibetan Banknotes with Four Additional
Seal Imprints
Appendix IX Artist who designed the 100 srang Notes
Appendix X: Tibetan Rare Banknotes in Public and Private Collections and from Published Sources

Bibliography of Tibetan Paper Currency and related Items

Tags: Tibet

200 córdobas (US$8.40), 12 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2007. Like P205, but instead of embossed 200 on see-through window, 200 is opaque white.

Courtesy of Chris Twining.

Tags: Nicaragua, Polymer

Like B206h, but new date (Декември 2011) and signature (Dimitar Bogov).

Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (www.banknoten.de).

Tags: Macedonia

According to an article on Ceylon Today dated 14 September 2012, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka will include Tamil text on banknotes to be issued in the future, in keeping with the country’s language policy. The new notes will include the words "this currency note issued on behalf the Government of Sri Lanka is valid for any financial transaction within Sri Lanka" in the Tamil language. Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has agreed to provide equal prominence to all three languages (English, Sinhala, and Tamil) when issuing banknotes in future.

Tags: Sri Lanka

According to an article on Telquel dated 17 September 2012, Bank Al-Maghrib will soon issue new banknotes in Morocco.The new 20-dirham (US$2.30) note supposedly features the ornate Moulay El Hassan bridge in Rabat, while the new 200-dirham (US$23) note depicts the Tanger Med port and lighthouse of Cape Spartel.

Tags: Morocco

According to an article on Semana.com dated 29 September 2012, the Colombian congress is considering a bill to revalue the peso by removing three zeros in an effort to simplify economic transactions. Such a move has been discussed for several years, and as with the case with revaluations in other countries, these things are politically charged and often take many, many years to come to fruition. Currently Colombia's banknotes range from 1,000 to 50,000 pesos (US$0.55 and $28, respectively).

Tags: Colombia

200 kroner (US$35), (20)11. Like P67, but new date, new signatures, and prefix A4.

Courtesy of Christoph Thomas.

Tags: Denmark

Several collectors have contacted me asking about the following items which have recently appeared on the market. According to the Korean wife of a contributor to The Banknote Book, these are bank savings bonds issued by the North Korea Central Bank in 2003. The back is divided into two parts. The left side gives instructions for the bond, stating that the bond is only good at the bank. If lost, the bank will not replace. The bond is good for one year only. At the end of the year, the bank will pay 4% interest. The bonds can't be cashed early. The right side has information for the bond: date issued, date cashed, and the last line is for the bank issuer's signature.

If you collect banknotes only, you should skip these items. If you collect all manner of paper financial instruments, feel free to add copies to your collection.

Tags: North Korea

Like B324c, but new date (1st. NOVEMBER 2011) and new signatures. Prefix DJ.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Tags: Belize

According to a press release dated 24 April 2012, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank has issued a series of banknotes with braille features in an effort to provide notes which are easier for blind and visually impaired persons to use.

The raised braille characters on the upgraded notes feature a cricket theme in the form of balls and stumps. These characters have been added to the 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-dollar notes. All the other features of the notes, including the profile watermark of Queen Elizabeth II, the security features and the images, remain the same.

The 10- and 20-dollar notes with the braille features are now in circulation and are available at the commercial banks in the ECCB member countries . The other two notes will be issued on demand. The 5-dollar note is not scheduled to be revised with braille.

Courtesy of Chris Twining, Nazir Rahemtulla, and TDS.

Tags: East Caribbean States

This post on Facebook includes images of Libya's new 5- and 10-dinar notes. Both denominations have been confirmed already, but curiously the images show two different varieties of the 10-dinar note. The upper one printed by De La Rue has prefix 7 and the bank's name on back is rendered with initial-capitals, whereas the lower one printed by Oberthur has prefix 1 and the bank's name in all-caps. The square security feature at upper right front is also different, as are the windowed security threads, and the Oberthur issue has a crecent moon and star at upper left front. Finally, the De La Rue issue is undated.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and Claudio Marana.

Tags: Libya

According to a Times of Swaziland article dated 1 October 2012, the Central Bank of Swaziland has fired an employee for selling specimen banknotes to collectors, humorously described as "individuals or consortiums who fraudulently buy specimen bank notes."

Tags: Swaziland

According to an article on The Voice of Vietnam dated 29 September 2012, the State Bank of Vietnam has announced that 10,000- and 20,000-dong (US$0.50 and $1, respectively) notes printed on cotton (Pick 109/115 and Pick 110) will no longer be legal tender as of 1 January 2013, but may exchange them at SBV branches and other institutions. These denominations have been replaced by polymer notes (Pick 119 and Pick 120).

Tags: Vietnam, Polymer

Like B908f, but new date (2012), prefix CM, and new signature.

Courtesy of Filippo Proietti Pannunzi.

Tags: Cuba

Radio National has an interesting 10-minute interview with David Solomon, an Australian scientist who worked with the Reserve Bank of Australia to create polymer banknotes.

Tags: Australia, Polymer

According to an article in The Australian dated 27 September 2012, the Reserve Bank of Australia has been working on a top-secret project, dubbed Next Generation Bank Note, for the past five years, the goal of which is to issue a new series of polymer banknotes, breathing new life into the currency, helping it capture "characteristics of Australia" with "youthful" and "energetic design qualities" while giving the bank the opportunity to enhance security features.

The following concept banknotes from Melbourne designer Garry Emery were approved for further development in 2010, and show that Queen Elizabeth II had been removed from the 5-dollar note in favor of the father of Federation, Henry Parkes, and Australia's first female political candidate, Catherine Helen Spence. The RBA ultimately decided to keep QEII on this denomination, although final designs have not been chosen, and it will be several years before any new notes are introduced to the public.

The Australian article made such a fuss about the amount of money spent on this project (said to be AU$9.3 million by News Limited), much of it paid to non-Australian designers, that the RBA was forced to issue an official response.


The design brief for the Reserve Bank’s new generation $5 bank note did not initially include the Queen. Instead Father of Federation Sir Henry Parkes was to be the star.


Australia’s first female political candidate Catherine Helen Spence featured on a special commemorative $5 note back in 2001 and was set to return with a new portrait in Gerry Emery’s NGB design.


RBA research shows most Australians cannot name the faces on our money. The lyrics to Waltzing Matilda help identify AB 'Banjo' Paterson instantly.


Poets and writers feature heavily on Australian bank notes. The typewritten verse of poet and journalist Dame Mary Gilmore brings a haunting sense of authenticity to Garry Emery's NGB design for the tenner.


Englishwoman Mary Reibey was transported to Australia as a convict but went on to become a successful businesswoman in Sydney. The RBA removed biography captions early on in the NGB project to avoid lecturing the public.


The NGB design brief called for the expression of 'Australian characteristics'. The Reverend John Flynn, who founded what became the Royal Flying Doctor Service, is rendered before a dramatic outback scene.


Allan 'Chirpy' Campbell the great-nephew of Aboriginal inventor and author David Unaipon has vowed to sue the Reserve Bank for $30 million over the 'unauthorised' use of Unaipon in the present $50 note. But he loves this new image.


The new portrait of teacher Edith Cowan with outback kids captured a youthful spirit the design brief called for before the Reserve Bank returned to safer territory in later versions.


Legendary diva Dame Nellie Melba was set for a spectacular return to her heyday in the new portrait commissioned but we're staying with the older stodgy image of today's $100 note.


Sir John Monash, Australia's greatest general, knocked polar explorer Douglas Mawson off the $100 when our biggest note changed from paper to plastic in 1996.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause, Trevor Wilkin, Yves Courtemanche. Neale Vickery, Allan Tilley, and Aidan Work.

Tags: Australia, Polymer

The Malaya chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 10-page catalog covers every note (79 types and varieties, including 23 notes unlisted in the SCWPM) issued by the Board of Commissioners of Currency from 1939 to 1952, and the Japanese Government from 1942 to 1945. Revised 29 September 2012.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Malaya

According to an article on Mizzima dated 9 August 2012, Maung Maung Win, the vice chairman of the Central Bank of Myanmar, said that the bank will abolish foreign exchange certificates (FEC) “as soon as possible,” most likely in March 2013. “Earlier, it was difficult to use dollars in Burma, so we issued the FEC as an equivalent to the dollar as a type of currency to be used in Burma.” Presently, Burma allows both dollars and FECs, which are pegged at different exchange rates. Currently, the government is drafting a new foreign currency management law allowing all foreign currencies to be exchanged freely.

Courtesy of Aidan Work.

Tags: Myanmar, Burma

10 pounds (US$16), 1 JANUARY 2011. Like GFI B20a (P14), but new date, prefix B, Cornerstone watermarks added, and new signatures (L. M. Lyse, K. Padgett, and Moira C. Eccles). Intro: 2012.

Courtesy of Phil Middleton (www.falklandcollectibles.com).

Tags: Falkland Islands

In 2000, five million 2,000-piso banknotes were printed featuing features the inauguration of President Joseph “Erap” Estrada at Barasoain Church in Bulacan on 10 June 1998. These notes were intended to be issued as legal tender in 2001, but President Estrada was ousted from office that year, so the notes were stored in the vaults of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. As of 2010, the bank was considering destroying the bulk of these unissued notes (known as “New Millennium” or “Erap” notes), saving only 50,000 pieces which would be demonetized for “historical, educational, numismatic and other purposes.” It wasn’t until 2012 that the bank began selling this numismatic product in a folder that clearly stipulates that the notes are not legal tender.


2,000 pesos
Blue, violet, green, yellow, orange, and red. Front: Malolos Constitution scroll; Barasoain Roman Catholic church in Malolos City, Bulacan; Joseph “Erap” Estrada taking oath of presidency on 30 June 1998; bank seal. Back: Fidel “Eddie” Valdez Ramos waving flag to celebrate centennial of independence on 12 June 1998 at Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite. Windowed security thread with demetalized 2000. Watermark: Estrada and Ramos. Printer: Unknown. 160 x 66 mm.
a. 2001. Signature Joseph “Erap” Estrada and Rafael B. Buenaventura. Intro: 2012.

Courtesy of goodluck4u888.

Tags: Philippines

100 taka (US$1.25), 2012. Like BB B52 (P54), but new date. Intro: 19.09.2012.

Courtesy of Syeed Bin Salam (Tuhin).

Tags: Bangladesh

According to the following press release issued 20 September 2012, the president of Nigeria has instructed the central bank to halt plans to restructure the nation's currency following public concerns about inflation that erupted after last month's announcement that a 5,000-naira note would be issued in Q1 2013.

Update on the Proposed Currency Restructuring Exercise ‘Project CURE’
Under Section 19(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007, “the currency notes and coins issued by the Bank shall be -

a. In such denominations of the naira or fractions thereof as shall be approved by the President on the recommendation of the Board; and
b. Of such forms and designs and bear such devices as shall be approved by the President on the recommendation of the Board.”

In line with the above provisions and for the purposes of more efficient payments and currency management systems, the CBN proposed and obtained the approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, to embark on the currency restructuring exercise, codenamed ‘Project CURE’ on December 19, 2011.

The CBN hereby informs the general public that the President, on Thursday, September 20, 2012, directed that further action on the approved restructuring exercise be stopped.

In full compliance with the provisions of the law, the CBN hereby announces that further action on the said restructuring exercise has been stopped, until such a time Mr. President may direct otherwise.

It is important to stress that till date, no contract whatsoever, has been awarded by the CBN in connection with the printing and minting of the new currency notes and coins. Consequently, no currency note or coin has been printed or minted under the proposed exercise.

In line with its mandate, the CBN remains committed to the pursuit of policies and programmes aimed at promoting the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.

Courtesy of Aidan Work.

Tags: Nigeria

500 rubles (US$59), 2004. Like TDRB B8a (P41), but with Ukrainian E on series prefix AA (top) corrected to I on series prefix AB (bottom) as 6th character, 1st word, 3rd line of text on front, and I instead of backwards N as 8th character, 2nd word, 3rd line. Prefix AB.

Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (www.banknoten.de).

Tags: Trans-Dniester

500 rufiyaa (US$33), 2008. Like MMA B15, but new date and new signature (Fazeel Najeeb).

Courtesy of Hartmut Fraunhoffer (www.banknoten.de).

According to an article on Latino Fox News dated 23 July 2012, the Banco Central de la República Argentina is preparing to issue 20 million commemorative 100-peso (US$22) note bearing the face of Eva "Evita" Perón to mark the 60th anniversary of her death. The new notes are based on the design of a 5-peso note from 1952 that never went into circulation.

UPDATE: According to this Spanish-language article, one million notes were issued 21 September 2012, the 60th anniversary of Evita's death, though there seems to be some technical printing problem to resolve.

Courtesy of Yves Courtemanche, Claudio Marana, and Arg_Collectibles.

Tags: Argentina

According to a press release dated 20 September 2012, the Reserve Bank of India will soon issue a 100-rupee (US$1.87) note dated 2012 with rupee symbol and inset letter G.

Tags: India

50 pesos (US$1.20), 2012. Like P193, but new date.

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger and goodluck4u888.

Tags: Philippines

According to an article in the Zambia Daily Mail dated 21 September 2012, the Bank of Zambia has now received images of the new banknotes and coins scheduled to be introduced on 1 January 2013. When the country rebases its currency, the notes will be in denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 kwacha, with coins of 1 kwacha, 5, 10 and 50 ngwee. Based upon the imprint that appears at the lower right on the back of the new notes, Germany's Giesecke & Devrient is the printer of all denominations. Zambia's current notes have recently printed by G&D, De La Rue, SABN, Oberthur, and Canadian Bank Note Company. All the new notes are dated 2012 and feature a new signature of governor Michael M. Gondwe.

The rebasing of the kwacha, by removing three zeros, was expected to take effect in July 2012, but was delayed due to "unforeseen technicalities."

Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Tags: Zambia

Like B146h, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of Garry Craig.

Tags: Zambia, Polymer

Like B139j, but new date (2011) and new printer (Giesecke & Devrient).

Courtesy of Garry Craig.

Tags: Zambia

Like B135b, but new date (١٤٣٣/2012) and new signatures (Fahad Al-Mubarak and Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Assaf).

Courtesy of Dr. Ghassan Samman.

Tags: Saudi Arabia

Like BFX907d, new date (2012) and new prefix CG.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Tags: Cuba

Like B133b, but new date (١٤٣٣/2012) and new signatures (Fahad Al-Mubarak and Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Assaf).

Courtesy of Steve Hearon.

Tags: Saudi Arabia

According to an article on Noticias Sin dated 16 September 2012, the Central Bank of Dominican Republic will issue a 200-peso (US$5.10) note with portions of the design changed in color from gray to green on 1 October to avoid confusion with the existing 50-peso note. The existing 50-peso (PNL) and 200-peso (P178) notes are shown above. The video accompanying the article shows the new note dated 2009, with DE LA RUE imprint, and the denomination spelled out as PESOS ORO. This is curious because the bank has issued three other notes dated 2011 denominated in PESOS DOMINICANOS, and apparently the Constitution of 26 January 2010 mandated the change of the name of the monetary unit.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Tags: Dominican Republic

100,000 rupiah (US$10.50), 2012. Like note issued 01.08.2011 with enhanced security features, but new date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

2,000 pesos (US$1.10), 29 DE JULIO DE 2010. Like P457, but new date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Colombia

According to a post on the web site of the Türkmenistanyñ Merkezi Banky (Central Bank of Turkmenistan), new banknotes have been issued in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, and 20 manat. All of the notes appear to be dated 2012, bearing new signatures, and with a pearlescent stripe on back. The two larger denominations also appear to have SPARK patches on front. There's no information on the fate of the 50- and 100-manat notes. As the largest denominations in Turkmenistan, one would assume they are in line for enhanced security features, too, but perhaps the bank still has sufficient stocks of the notes originally issued in 2009.

Courtesy of Mehdi Kasumov.

Tags: Turkmenistan

5 taka (US$0.05), 2011. Like BB B48a, but engraving on the front is considerably lighter. There are other differences in the engraving, but the most obvious is that the earlier 5-taka notes have a dark portrait (BB B48a, left) whereas later issues have a light portrait (B48b, right).

Courtesy of Aminul Haque Mallick and Mohammed J. Islam.

Tags: Bangladesh

The Leeward Islands chapter of The Banknote Book is now available as a free download to all.

This 3-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of the Leeward Islands in 1921. Revised 08.12.2017.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Leeward Islands

2,000 guaraníes (US$0.45), 2011. Like the same denomination issued 18.12.2009, but new date, prefix C, new printer imprint (CANADIAN BANK NOTE COMPANY, LIMITED), and minor changes to guilloche patterns.

Courtesy of Yuri111.

Tags: Paraguay, Polymer

According to an article in allAfrica dated 12 September 2012, the Central Bank of Nigeria plans to no longer print banknotes on polymer due to higher costs (a result of Australia-based Securency's monopoly on the substrate) and environmental issues. Currently the bank issues polymer notes in its lowest denominations of 5, 10, 20, and 50 naira. All but the 50-naira denomination will be replaced by coins when the bank restructures the currency as expected in 2013.

Tags: Nigeria, Polymer

According to a press release, on 12 September 2012, the Bank of England issued 5-, 10-, and 20-pound (US$8, $16, and $32, respectively) notes bearing the signature of the current chief cashier, Chris Salmon. These notes are like the preceding issues (P391, P389, and P392) and will circulate in parallel.

"The new notes bearing Chris Salmon’s signature were produced with printing plates made under a different manufacturing method. This has not changed the appearance of the notes. De La Rue previously used printing plates produced via the film exposure method. However, due to the diminishing demand for this technology in the printing community, De La Rue have changed to printing plates which are produced via the direct laser engraving method, known as ‘computer to plate’ technology."



Courtesy of Antje González and Pam West.

Tags: England

100 birr (US$5.70), 2004/2012. Like NBE B34 (P52), but new date.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana, Richard Miranda, and Zagreb Online Paper Money Shop.

Tags: Ethiopia

20,000 rupiah (US$2), 2010. Like P144, but with new signatures and date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

10,000 rupiah (US$1), 2012. Like P150, but with new date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

5,000 rupiah (US$0.50), 2012. Like P142, but with new signatures and date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

2,000 rupiah (US$0.20), 2012. Like P148, but with new signatures and date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

1,000 rupiah (US$0.10), 2012. Like P141, but with new signatures and date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

This 100-córdoba note was issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the cordoba. It is like preceding issues, but with wider thread, revised registration device, repositioned serial number, subtle underprint design changes, and 1912-2012 Centenario del Cordoba in pearlescent ink at left front.


100 córdobas (US$4.20), 12 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2007.

Courtesy of luiszuniga and TDS.

Tags: Nicaragua

The Barbados chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 16-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of Barbados from 1915 to 1949, and the Central Bank of Barbados from 1973 to present. Revised 14.08.2018.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Barbados

Publishing and printing complex InterCrim-press is glad to introduce its new book – Notes and Coins of the United States of America Federal Reserve System.

The reference book includes:

• Detailed illustrated descriptions of the US dollars in circulation and their security features;
• Descriptions of coins designated for regular circulation (change) and most popular series of commemorative coins for regular circulation;
• All types of currency notes (treasury notes, gold and silver certificates, national banknotes, World War II temporary currency, etc.) of The US Federal Reserve System since 1928 and until 2012;
• All series of the Federal Reserve Notes (from 1928 to 2009) with the description of their design, security features, and distinctive features of the series: 1928-1934, 1950, 1963, 1969-1988, 1990-1995, 1997-2006, the latest NexGen series;
• Distinctive features in identification design and other security features of US dollar series issued since 1928 until present time. Identification details include the letter denoting a series, the letter and number of Federal Reserve district, the year of issue, control letters of quadrants of printing plate, signatures of Treasurer of the United States and Secretary of the Treasury and other features.

The reference book will be useful for banks and currency exchange office employees, law enforcement experts, and it is an official edition of the Bank of Russia and the Criminal Expertise Center of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Simple structure of material, pithiness, informative and easy-to-use search system will help you to quickly find necessary and detailed information about any banknote you are interested in.

Now you can order Notes and Coins of the United States of America Federal Reserve System and other InterCrim-Press books online with free delivery at http://www.icpress.ru/en/.

Tags: United States

Like B239d, but new date (2012) and new signature (Yaseen Anwar).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Tags: Pakistan

50 kina (US$25), (20)12. Like BPNG B38 (P32), but new date and new signatures (Loi Martin Bakani and Simon Tosali).

Courtesy of Stane Štraus (Polymer Bank Notes of the World).

Tags: Papua New Guinea, Polymer

10 dollars (US$10), (20)12. Like P58, but new date and new signatures (Glenn Robert Stevens and Martin Parkinson).

Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Tags: Australia, Polymer

Like B281c, but new date (20)11.

Courtesy of Christoph Thomas.

Tags: Romania, Polymer

According to an article in Trinidad Express Newspapers dated 14 June 2012 and an official press release, on 20 June 2012, the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago unveiled a new 50-dollar (US$7.80) note to commemorate the nation's 50th independence anniversary. The notes entered circulation in August 2012.

The press release indicates that only a limited number of notes carry the following red text around the coat of arms at center front: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1962-2012. According to my contacts at the bank, both the overprinted and regular $50 notes entered circulation at face value as legal tender (i.e. they are not sold at a premium as numismatic products).

Also of interest is the press release indication, "Each note has a series of raised bars at the top left and right sides. These are to facilitate recognition by the visually impaired and will be introduced on all denominations in due course." It appears collectors can look forward to new varieties of existing designs with intaglio printed bars.


CBTT B27 (PNL): 50 dollars (US$8)
Gold and olive green. Front: Red-capped cardinal bird on branch; red CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1962-2012 overprint around coat of arms; red-capped cardinal as registration device; Depth Image holographic patch. Back: Red-capped cardinal; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; Red House (Parliament building). 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT50. Watermark: Red-capped cardinal, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 152.4 x 69.85 mm.
a. Series 2006; 2012 on overprint. Signature 8. Intro: August 2012.


CBTT B28 (PNL): 50 dollars (US$8)
Gold and olive green. Front: Red-capped cardinal bird on branch; without overprint around coat of arms; red-capped cardinal as registration device; Depth Image holographic patch. Back: Red-capped cardinal; Eric Williams Financial Complex in Port of Spain; Red House (Parliament building). 2-mm wide windowed security thread with demetalized CBTT50. Watermark: Red-capped cardinal, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 152.4 x 69.85 mm.
a. Series 2006. Signature 8. Intro: August 2012.

Courtesy of Phil Martin, Richard Miranda, Marcus Jansson, and NUMISCONDOR.

Tags: Trinidad & Tobago

Banco Central de Paraguay has issued a new Series F 50,000-guarani (US$10.75) which is like the Seres D notes issued 12 May 2008 (P232), but with a Motion security thread instead of a windowed metallic thread, and the removal of the second instance of “BANCO CENTRAL DEL PARAGUAY” above the watermark area on the back. This note is like the series E note, but with new date.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Paraguay

50,000 rupiah (US$5.20), 2012. Like new unlisted 2011-dated note issued 1 August 2011 with Omron rings, but with new date.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

20,000 rupiah (US$2.10), 2011. Like P144, but new date and new signatures.

This denomination is now confirmed dated 2011 both without Omron rings (P144) and with Omron rings (PNL).

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Indonesia

This 20-dollar note was issued to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Central Bank of Barbados.


CBB B31 (PNL): 20 dollars (US$10)
Purple. Front: Pelican as registration device; 40 years anniversary logo; coat of arms; trident; flying fish; Samuel Jackman Prescod. Back: House of Assembly buildings and careenage at Trafalgar Square in Bridgetown; pelican. Windowed security thread with demetalized CBB $20. Watermark: Map, electrotype Pride of Barbados flower, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 150 x 65 mm.
a. 2 MAY 2012. Signature 6. Prefix [D79].

Courtesy of TDS and NUMISCONDOR.

Tags: Barbados

According to an article on Bloomberg dated 31 August 2012, the European Central Bank is said to be using an image of Europa from Greek mythology on its new euro banknotes due to be unveiled in November and issued starting in May 2013.

Courtesy of Lars Kersten and Mehdi Kasumov.

Tags: European Monetary Union

Like B231h, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger.

Tags: Pakistan

100 rupees (US$1.80), 2012. Like P98, but new date and inset letter L.

500 rupees (US$9), 2012. Like P99, but new date and inset letter E.

Curiously, these notes are without the rupee symbol.

Courtesy of Cluadio Marana.

Tags: India

10 lari (US$6.05), 2012. Like NBG B49 (P71), but new date and new signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Dmitri Gvinadze).

Courtesy of Дмитрий Чохонелидзе and Dmitry Zagorenko (http://bonistica.ru).

Tags: Georgia

The Mozambique chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 13-page catalog covers notes issued by the Banco de Moçambique (Bank of Mozambique) from 1976 to present. Revised 27 July 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Mozambique

2 dollars, 2009. Like P516, but new date and new signatures (Rios / Geithner).

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger.

Tags: United States

According to an article on The Financial Express dated 28 August 2012, the Reserve Bank of India will soon introduce a 1,000-rupee (US$18) note signed by Subbarao, dated 2012, with the rupee symbol and an L inset letter.

Tags: India

According to a press release dated 6 August 2012, the Banco Central de Costa Rica issued new 5,000-, 10,000-, and 50,000-colon (US$10, $20, and $100, respectively) banknotes on 27 August 2012. The old 5,000- and 10,000-colon notes (B555 and B556) will remain legal tender until 1 January 2013, and after 1 May 2013, they can be redeemed only at the central bank.

Courtesy of Jose Alvarado.

Tags: Costa Rica

5 dollars, 2006. Like P517, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Jens Luettschwager.

Tags: United States

20 taka (US$0.25), 2012. Like BB B50a (PNL), but with green, not black, lathework design at right front. Notes with the black design have serial number prefixes KK and KL. Notes with the green design use subsequent prefixes.

Courtesy of Robiul Islam (http://www.robiscollection.blogspot.com/).

Tags: Bangladesh

500 taka (US$6.15), 2012. Like BB B53a (PNL), but new date.

Courtesy of Syeed Bin Salam (Tuhin).

Tags: Bangladesh

1,000 francs (US$1.90), 2002. Like P307, but new signatures (Lucas Abaga Nchama and Louis Aleka-Rybert).

10,000 francs (US$19), 2002. Like P110, but new signatures (as above).

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Central African States

According to a press release dated 9 July 2012, the Bank of Ghana intends to enhance the security of the 50-cedi banknote (B149) by replacing the square holographic patch at lower right front with a cocoa pod printed in green-to-blue SPARK ink. The revised note is scheduled for introduction in early August 2012. The notes bear the signature of Vice President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur because when they were printed in June, he was the governor of the bank, having served from 1 October 2009 to 6 August 2012. Notes to be issued later will however bear the signature of the new governor, as of yet unnamed.

Courtesy of Merjim Groen.

Tags: Ghana

Like B235h, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger.

Tags: Pakistan

100,000 guaraníes (US$23), 2011. Like P233, but new date, new signatures, and new printer imprint (OBERTHUR technologies).

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger and Noteshobby.

Tags: Paraguay

According to a press release, on 9 July 2012 the Banque Centrale de la Republique de Guinée issued a new 10,000-franc (US$1.40) note dated 2012, similar to the preceding issues (BCRG B32), but red instead of green, and with a holographic patch to the right of the portrait on front.

Courtesy of Abdullah Beydoun.

Tags: Guinea

According to an article in Standart News dated 24 August 2012, the European Central Bank is set to issue new euro banknotes with enhanced security features at the beginning of 2013. More details are expected this autumn.

Tags: European Monetary Union

According to an article on WorldStage dated 23 August 2012, the Central Bank of Nigeria has announced plans to introduce a new 5,000-naira (US$32) banknote in the first quarter fo 2013. The restructuring exercise, code-named Project Cure, will change the naira currency structure to 12, comprising of six coins and six banknote denominations. “Under the structure, the existing denominations of N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1,000 will be designed with added security features. It is our pleasure to inform you that a new high currency denomination will also be introduced. It is the N5,000 note. In the same vein, the lower banknote denominations of N5, N10 and N20 will be coined,” said the Governor of the Bank, Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The new 5,000-naira banknote will have pictures of three Nigerian heroine and nationalists, namely Mrs. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Mrs Margaret Ekpo and Alhaja Sawaba Gambo on the front while the National Assembly pictures would be the illustrations at its back.

Tags: Nigeria

The Pakistan chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 32-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of Pakistan from 1948 to present, and the State Bank of Pakistan from 1949 to present. Revised 07.08.2018.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Pakistan

Like B423, but new date (2011), new signature, and revised script to the left of the signatures on front.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Mongolia

Like B132a, but new date (١٤٣٠/2009) and new signatures (Muhammad Al-Jaser and Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Assaf).

Courtesy of Newcastle Coins.

Tags: Saudi Arabia

20 córdobas (US$0.80), 12 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2007. Like P202, but instead of embossed 20 on see-through window, 20 is opaque white.

Courtesy of luiszuniga.

Tags: Nicaragua, Polymer

BCC B25 (PNL): 10,000 francs (US$11)
Violet. Front: BCC and map as registration device; two water buffalos; carved statuette; holographic patch. Back: Trees; bird on branch; BCC and map. Windowed security thread. Watermark: Leopard head and electrotype 10000. Printer: Unknown. 151 x 72 mm.
a. 18.02.06. Signature 1. Intro: 02.07.2012.

Courtesy of Yuri111 and Hartmut Fraunhoffer.

Tags: Congo Democratic Republic

According to several newspaper articles including one in the Winnipeg Free Press dated 18 August 2012, the back of the Bank of Canada's new 100-dollar note design originally depicted an Asian woman scientist, but the image was revised to show a Caucasian woman prior to issuance of the note. The change was made in response to concerns from focus group participants about the stereotyping of Asians as excelling in technology.

Tags: Canada, Polymer

50 pesos (US$3.80), 10 ENE. 2012. Like P123, but new date and new signatures (Manuel Sánchez González & Alejandro Alegre Rabiela). Series V.

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger.

Tags: Mexico, Polymer

100 pesos (US$7.60), 4 NOV. 2010. Like P124, but new date and new signatures (Jose Julian Sidaoui Dib and Raul Valdes Ramos). Series M.

Courtesy of Mark Fox.

Tags: Mexico

1,000 baht (US$32), no date. Like P115, but new signatures (Kittirat na Ranong and Prasarn Trairatvorakul).

Courtesy of Vic Krysko.

Tags: Thailand

According to a Bank of Thailand press release dated 3 July 2012, an 80-baht (US$2.55) commemorative banknote was issued to celebrate the queen’s 80th birthday anniversary on 12 August 2012. Two million commemorative 80-baht notes were available as of 9 August encased with a hard-paper cover at 120 baht, with profits to be donated to charity. The blue note measures 162 x 80 mm, representing 80 years of age.


PNL 80 baht (US$2.55), no date.
Blue. Front: Royal Garuda emblem; King Rama IX conferring title of Queen; Queen Sirikit rose and cattleya flowers; King Rama IX wearing uniform and Queen Sirikit; royal crest commemorating 80th birthday. Back: Royal Garuda emblem; King Rama IX and Queen Sirikit sitting with their children; roses; young Queen Sirikit wearing necklace; kneeling Queen Sirikit; royal crest commemorating 80th birthday; bamboo; Queen Sirikit giving plants to locals; cattleya flowers. Windowed Motion security thread with 80 and rose. Watermark: Queen and electrotype crowned monogram. Printer: (NPW). 162 x 80 mm.

Courtesy of Sesthawich Wongwiwat and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Thailand

The South Korea chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

At the time of initial publication, this 18-page catalog covers every note (159 types and varieties, including 62 notes unlisted in the SCWPM) issued by the Bank of Chosen from 1945 to 1950, and the Bank of Korea from 1949 to present day.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
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Tags: South Korea

According to a press release dated 15 August 2012, the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan has begun a project to evaluate new features, designs, and reliability of new banknotes.

Courtesy of Mehdi Kasumov.

Tags: Azerbaijan

1,000 taka (US$12), 2012. Like BB B54 (P56), but new date.

Courtesy of Syeed Bin Salam (eBay ID siliconvally) and Robiul Islam (http://www.robiscollection.blogspot.com/).

Tags: Bangladesh

BCC B23 (PNL): 1,000 francs (US$1.10)
Green. Front: BCC and map as registration device; two standing okapi; Kanioka carved box with two seated human figures and two lizards on lid. Back: Field of corn; parrot on branch; BCC and map. Windowed security thread with demetalized RD CONGO. Watermark: Okapi head and electrotype 1000. Printer: Unknown. 140 x 72 mm.
a. 02.02.05. Signature 1. Intro: 02.07.2012.

Replacment notes: Suffix Z.

Courtesy of Yuri111 and Richard Castedo (eBay listings).

Tags: Congo Democratic Republic

According to a press release from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, on 23 July 2012 the bank issued an "amended" 50-dirham (US$14) note which is like the preceding issue (B221), but with a new 3-mm wide, color-shifting windowed security thread with demetalized UAE 50, Omron rings added to front and back, and it bears the new coat of arms which was adopted on 22 March 2008.

Courtesy of Amirali Somji and Phil Martin.

Tags: United Arab Emirates

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) has this year awarded its Book of the Year, for a book published in 2011, to Devlet-I Aliyye-I Osmaniyye (Banknotes of the Ottoman Empire) by Mehmet Gaciroglu. With splendid competition from the ever-increasing works on paper money, the IBNS is pleased to recognize an outstanding accomplishment.

Several reference works on the banknotes of the Ottoman Empire have been written in recent years, but the recently published, award-winning volume by Mehmet Gaciroglu is an impressive contribution to understanding paper money issues in the Ottoman Empire. The distinguished presentation of the book is noteworthy, with its gold title on the dark-coloured cover indicating the quality of the content. Over 340 pages of gloss paper with good quality illustrations, predominantly in colour, continue the impressive presentation.

The merit of the book, however, is in its content. For each denomination identified in the book, descriptions include: the dates of issue, size of the note, the group of issue, signatures, quantity issued, seal used, serial number range and remarks. Where banknotes are illustrated, watermark and signature varieties are adjacent to the banknote; which makes the identification of a banknote very easy for the reader. Values for the notes are given in the grades Fine, VF, XF and UNC, except where the notes are rare and values are sensibly omitted.

A transliteration from Arabic script to modern Turkish script, for both the front and back of the notes, assists readers without the linguistic skills to understand the original text. The Turkish text of the book is complemented with an equal amount of English text, which widens the audience for the book.

Not just a catalogue, the book includes biographies of Sultans and descriptions of the seals used on the notes. Towards the back of the book is a section with colour plates of specimens, essays, artist’s sketches, errors, endorsement stamps and cancellations. Included are the British Gallipoli notes, German legion issues, municipal currencies and local Hebrew, Armenian and Greek issues.

While Banknotes of the Ottoman Empire is deserving of the IBNS Book of the Year, the IBNS gave several Honourable Mentions to other books on paper money published during 2011. These are:

• Billetes de Chile 1879-2011 by Miguel A.Fajardo
• Presidency Banknotes of India (1770-1860) by Kishore Jhunjhunwalla and Rezwan Razack
• New Zealand History Noted – Reserve Bank of New Zealand Bank Notes by Robert Pepping
• Notafilia y Ciencias de la Salud by Jaime Casas PIa (A.N.E.)
• Les Eurobillets – 2002-2011 by Guy Sohier
• English Paper Money – Treasury and Bank of England Notes from 1694 (8th Edition) by Pam West

Tags: Ottoman Empire, Turkey

2 taka (US$0.02), 2012. Like GOB B7 (P52), but new date.

Courtesy of Syeed Bin Salam (eBay ID siliconvally) and Robiul Islam (http://www.robiscollection.blogspot.com/).

Tags: Bangladesh

100 dollars (US$50), 1 MAY 2007. Like CBB B32a (P71), but new signature (DeLisle Worrell).

Courtesy of Yuri Minkin (myworld.ebay.com/yuri111).

Tags: Barbados

The Isle of Man chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 10-page catalog covers notes issued by the Isle of Man Government from 1961 to present. Revised 15 October 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Isle of Man

The Reserve Bank of India will soon issue 10- and 50-rupee (US$0.20 and 0.90, respective) notes dated 2012, bearing the rupee symbol, and with the inset letter L.

Tags: India

50 dollars (US$53), (20)11. Like P60, but new date.

100 dollars (US$106), (20)11. Like P61, but new date.

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger (www.banknote.ws).

Tags: Australia, Polymer

BB B50.5 (PNL): 20 taka (US$0.25)
Green, yellow, and red. Front: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; National Martyr’s Monument in Savar. Back: Shaat Gambuj Masjid (Sixty Dome Mosque) in Bagerhat; bank logo. Windowed security thread with demetalized bank logo and 20. Watermark: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on pixelated background and electrotype bank logo and 20. Printer: (SPC). 127 x 60 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 10b. Intro: 08.08.2012.
as. Diagonal red hollow SPECIMEN stamp.
Like preceding issues, but new colors to distinguish this denomination from 500-taka note.

Courtesy of Syeed Bin Salam (eBay ID siliconvally) and Robiul Islam (http://www.robiscollection.blogspot.com/).

Tags: Bangladesh

100 baht (US$3.20), no date. Like P114, but new signatures: Kittirat na Ranong and Prasarn Trairatvorakul.

Courtesy of Vic Krysko.

Tags: Thailand

According to a Bank of Thailand press release dated 3 July 2012, this 100-baht (US$3.20) commemorative banknote was issued to celebrate His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn’s 5th Cycle Birthday Anniversary on 28 July 2012.


Ten million commemorative 100-baht notes were issued into circulation on 27 July 2012. The front of the note is the same as the current circulating 100-baht note, but the back has a portrait of the prince as well as a scene of His Royal Highness being conferred the title of Crown Prince. Signatures: Kittirat na Ranong and Prasarn Trairatvorakul.

Courtesy of Sesthawich Wongwiwat and David Murcek (www.themonetaryunit.com).

Tags: Thailand

According to the Reserve Bank of Fiji's Annual Report 2011, "The Currency Review, that commenced a year earlier, progressed well in 2011. The objectives of the review comprised an upgrade of existing security features and the inclusion of Fiji’s flora and fauna on banknotes and coins. In March 2011, Cabinet approved the coining of the $2
denomination and the selected flora and fauna designs. Banknote and coin tenders were invited and awarded to De La Rue Currency and the Royal Canadian Mint, respectively. All banknote and coin designs were finalised and
approved in November 2011. In this regard, the RBF extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Currency Design Committee for their commitment and guidance in selecting the flora and fauna designs for the new banknotes and coins family. The new flora and fauna designed currency, including the new $2 coin, will be officially unveiled and launched in December 2012."

Tags: Fiji

Apparently Libya is preparing a new 1-dinar (US$0.80) note without the portrait of Muammar Gaddafi, which appears on the current note CBL B35 (P71) issued in 2009.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Libya

500 rupees (US$9.00), 2011. Like P99, but new date, new signature, and addition of rupee symbol to denomination. Without inset letter. Intro: 26.12.2011.

500 rupees (US$9.00), 2012. Like P99, but new date, new signature, and addition of rupee symbol to denomination. Inset letter R.

Courtesy of Dr. Manjunath P. Iyer and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: India

According to a press release dated 12 January 2012, Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul announced that the Bank of Thailand is issuing a new family (series 16) of banknotes designed to glorify Thai kings of different periods. The notes will feature "new advanced counterfeit deterrent features," but will retain the sizes, colors, and denominations of the current series. The notes will be issued over several years, beginning with the 50-baht (US$1.60) denomination issued on 18 January 2012, the date commemorating the glorious victory of King Naresuan the Great in traditional royal combat on elephant back in 1593.

50 baht, no date. Blue. Front: Royal Garuda emblem; King Rama IX wearing in the Royal House of Chakri gown. Back: Royal Garuda emblem; King Naresuan leading soldiers up ladders to attack Burmese camp; statue of Somdet Phra Naresuan Maharaj, modeled from the monument at Don Chedi Suphan Buri Province; statue of seated King Naresuan pouring water on the ground, symbolizing the declaration of independence; Phra Chedi Chai Mongkol located at Wat Yai Chai Mongkol, Phara Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province. Windowed security thread with demetalized text. Watermark: King Rama IX and Thai symbol “Dok Loi.” Printer: (NPW). 144 x 72 mm.

Courtesy of Victor Krysko and Nin Cheun (http://stores.ebay.com/Noteshobby), Sesthawich Wongwiwat, and Sukhprem Sachadecha.

Tags: Thailand

500 lempiras (US$26), 6 DE MAYO DE 2010. Like P78, but new date and new signatures (Maria Elena Mondragón, Héctor Méndez Cálix, William Chong Wong).

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Honduras

According to an article on the Jamaica Information Service dated 19 June 2012, the Bank of Jamaica has unveiled a new family of banknotes commemorating the country's Golden Jubilee. Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. the Hon. Peter Phillips, said the notes are not only being launched to celebrate the 50th year of Jamaica’s political independence, but “we are also witnessing the launch of a new generation of banknotes.

“The 2012 commemorative banknote series consist of five denominations - $5,000, $1,000, $500, $100, and the $50 note, with modifications to their original design. The modified design includes the Jamaica 50 logo superimposed on the watermark on the front of each note,” he explained.

Meanwhile, the unique image, which is normally on the reverse side of each note, has been replaced by a photograph of a group of children from Central Branch Primary School, from 1962. “That serves to depict the national motto, out of many one people. It formally appeared on the back of the $2.00 note, which was in circulation from 1969 to 1994,” Mr. Wynter said.

He added that the integrity of the commemorative banknotes has been protected, as the security features are the same as those on the regular banknotes. The new notes will circulate alongside the old notes, and both series are legal tender. “We expect the public to accept them with the same level of confidence that is associated with the regular banknotes,” the Governor said.

The notes bear the signature of the Governor of the Bank of Jamaica, Brian Wynter, are dated 06.08.2012, and will be released into general circulation on 23 July 2012. Currently, Jamaican banknotes are printed on a cotton material which has a relatively short useful life in the country’s tropical climate and other circulation conditions, but the new notes will come on enhanced substrates.

$100 on Hybrid
The 100-dollar (US$1.15) banknote, the most widely-used denomination, is printed on a material known as Hybrid, made by the German security paper manufacturer, Louisenthal, a subsidiary of the Munich-based technology company, Giesecke and Devrient GmbH. Hybrid is a combination of protective polyester film layered around a cotton fibre core. The cotton core will continue to be embedded with the usual security features, such as the watermark and security thread, to ensure that the banknote remains secure against counterfeiting. The combined weight and thickness of the finished material is the same as that of conventional banknote paper, that is, 95 grams per square metre. The polyester film in Hybrid makes banknotes more durable and the notes stay clean longer and remain firm even in extreme circulation conditions. Hybrid therefore, improves soiling resistance while continuing to give the same touch and feel as notes printed on only cotton.

Varnished Cotton for $1000, $500 and $50
To enhance the durability of these denominations, the $1000, $500 and $50 notes are printed on a varnished cotton substrate, that is, the traditional cotton treated with a varnish after the notes have been printed. Varnishing creates a moisture -proof layer to protect the banknotes against surface soiling and reduces the extent to which they will absorb moisture, contaminant particles and microorganisms.

$5000
The $5000 (US$57) denomination remains on regular cotton substrate as the main security thread, Optiks, is compatible only with the cotton-based material.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and TDS.

Tags: Jamaica

BCC B24 (PNL): 5,000 francs (US$5.40)
Brown. Front: BCC and map as registration device; zebras; Hemba statuette. Back: Food (perhaps cassava) bundles; two Congo peafowl birds; BCC and map. Windowed security thread with demetalized RD CONGO. Watermark: Okapi head and electrotype 5000. Printer: Unknown. 146 x 72 mm.
a. 02.02.05. Signature 1. Intro: 02.07.2012.

Courtesy of Yuri111.

Tags: Congo Democratic Republic

50 bolivianos (US$7.25), 28 NOVEMBER 1986. Series I. These are printed by Canadian Bank Note. The microprinting changed from “REPUBLICADEBOLIVIA” to “ESTADOPLURINACIONALDEBOLIVIA” and the watermark now contains a pixelated pattern between the portrait and the electrotype denomination.

Courtesy of Antonio Paz.

Tags: Bolivia

200 bolivianos (US$29), 28 NOVEMBER 1986. Series I. These are printed by Canadian Bank Note. The microprinting changed from “REPUBLICADEBOLIVIA” to “ESTADOPLURINACIONALDEBOLIVIA” and the watermark now contains a pixelated pattern between the portrait and the electrotype denomination.

Courtesy of Antonio Paz.

Tags: Bolivia

20 pesos (US$0.50), 2012. Like P206, but new date.

Courtesy of Andy Siegman.

Tags: Philippines

10 bolivianos (US$1.45), 28 NOVEMBER 1986. Series I. These are printed by Canadian Bank Note. The microprinting changed from “REPUBLICADEBOLIVIA” to “ESTADOPLURINACIONALDEBOLIVIA” and the watermark now contains a pixelated pattern between the portrait and the electrotype denomination.

Courtesy of Antonio Paz.

Tags: Bolivia

100 bolivianos (US$14), 28 NOVEMBER 1986. Series I. These are printed by Canadian Bank Note. The microprinting changed from “REPUBLICADEBOLIVIA” to “ESTADOPLURINACIONALDEBOLIVIA” and the watermark now contains a pixelated pattern between the portrait and the electrotype denomination.

Courtesy of Antonio Paz.

Tags: Bolivia

According to an press release dated 20 July 2012, Brazil's central bank issued new 10- and 20-real banknotes on 23 July 2012. This series of notes will be complete when the 2- and 5-real notes are introduced in 2013.



PNL 10 reais (US$4.90)
Red. Front: Plants; head of República. Back: Arara (macaw) bird. Solid security thread with demetalized 50 REAIS. Watermark: Macaw and electrotype 10. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 135 x 65 mm.
a. 2010. Intro: 23.07.2012. Signature Mantega/Tombini.


PNL 20 reais (US$9.80)
Yellow and orange. Front: Plants; head of República. Back: Mico-Leão-Dourado (golden lion tamarin). Solid security thread with demetalized 20 REAIS. Watermark: Golden lion tamarin and electrotype 20. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 156 x 70 mm.
a. 2010. Intro: 23.07.2012. Signature Mantega/Tombini.

Courtesy of Laurence Matuck, Marco Antonio da Silva Freire, Rodrigo Spano, José Fabrício Macêdo, and Thomas Krause.

Tags: Brazil

20 pounds (US$31), 30th NOVEMBER 2010. Like P354, but new date and new signature (Stephen Hester).

Courtesy of Pam West.

Tags: Scotland

Like B132b, but new date (١٤٣٣/2012) and new signatures (Fahad Al-Mubarak and Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Assaf).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Yousef Jazzar.

Tags: Saudi Arabia

According to a press release dated 11 May 2012, the National Bank of Serbia has issued a new 100-dinar (US$1.15) banknote which is like NBS B9 (P49), "but the back contains the Great Coat-of-Arms of the Republic of Serbia in a new design, in accordance with the Decree on Establishing the Original Great and Small Coat-of-Arms, Flag and National Anthem of the Republic of Serbia (RS Official Gazette, No. 85 of 15 November 2010). The year of issue (’2012’) and the Governor’s signature have also been changed."

With this release, only the 5,000-dinar (US$57) note has yet to be issued with the new coat of arms.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn, Dragan Peric, and Matej Omahen.

Tags: Serbia

50 dollars (US$52), (20)12. Like P60, but new date and signatures (Glenn Robert Stevens and Martin Parkinson).

Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Tags: Australia, Polymer

5 dollars (US$5.20), (20)12. Like P57, but new date and signatures (Glenn Robert Stevens and Martin Parkinson).

Courtesy of Thomas Krause and Glenn Warren.

Tags: Australia, Polymer

According to a press release dated 19 July 2012, the Reserve Bank of India will soon issue 10- and 50-rupee notes dated 2012 with the rupee symbol and inset letter L. All denominations have already been confirmed with the rupee symbol added; it's just the L insert that is new to these two denominations.

Courtesy of Phil Martin.

Tags: India

According to an article in The Asian Age dated 21 July 2012, the government will conduct a field trial with one billion polymer 10-rupee banknotes to check the possibility of introducing polymer notes in India. The trials will be conducted in five cities—Mysore, Kochi, Shimla, Jaipur and Bhubaneshwar—selected on the basis of their varied geographical location and climatic conditions.

The tests are to be conducted to determine if polymer notes last longer, thereby reducing replacement and disposal costs.
In another effort to increase the lifespan of banknotes, banks are asked to do away with the practices of stapling fresh note packets and writing on the watermark areas.

Tags: India, Polymer

According to Iraq's semi-official Alsabaah newspaper, the finance committee received specimens of the new Iraq banknotes from the Central Bank of Iraq. The specimens were of the 25, 50, 100, and 200 dinars. The committee urged the central bank to delay the introduction of the new currency from January 2013 to July 2013 to study all the aspects of the process.

Other Iraqi media reports state that the new currency will be issued in denominations of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 dinars for banknotes and 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 fils, plus 1 and 2 dinars for coins. The designs have been already chosen for banknotes and coins:

5 dinars: Beck waterfall and palm tree
10 dinars: dinar coin minted in the reign of the Umayyad dynasty and lighthouse Hadba in Mosul
25 dinars: King Hammurabi receiving the law and farming of Iraqi Kurdistan
50 dinars: King Codaa and Fort Ukhaydir
100 dinars: Central Bank building in Azwaip area in Baghdad and ziggurat
200 dinars: bridge and school

Courtesy of Mosab K. Ibrahim.

Tags: Iraq

On 25 June 2012, the Central Bank of Armenia issued new 5,000-, 10,000-, and 20,000-dram notes (US$12, $24, and $48, respectively). These notes are like the preceding issues, but with subtle changes to several design elements, revised watermarks, new date (2012), and new signatures. On the 5,000-dram note the Kinegram at right front has been replaced by an open book, and a holographic stripe has been added at left front. On the 10,000- and 20,000-dram notes, the holographic stripes are different.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson, Mehdi Kasumov, Claudio Marana, and Armen Hovsepian.

Tags: Armenia

The British Solomon Islands chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 2-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of the British Solomon Islands from 1916 to 1933. Revised 28 March 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: British Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands

10 córdobas (US$0.40), 12 DE SEPTIEMBRE DE 2007. Like P201, but instead of embossed 10 on see-through window, 10 is opaque white.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Tags: Nicaragua, Polymer

I am trying to compile a list of printed numismatic publications which cover banknotes. I know of a few of the major ones in the United States, but am not familiar with international magazines or newsletters.

If you subscribe to such a publication, whether in English or another language, please send me the precise name of the publication, as well as URL, email address, and postal address.

Click here to write to me using the Contact form.

Thanks in advance for everyone's assistance. I'll post the results on a new page in the Links section of this site.

Tags: World

According to a press release, on 16 July 2012 Bank Negara Malaysia issued into circulation its new family of banknotes. These notes were previously issued in matching serial number sets and various numismatic products beginning 22 December 2011.

Courtesy of Aidan Work and Joel Kandah.

Tags: Malaysia

Like B138i, but new date (2010).

Courtesy of Garry Craig.

Tags: Zambia

According to an article in The Namibian and an article in New Era, both dated 16 July 2012, as well as a media release dated 13 July 2012, the Bank of Namibia "has observed that the diamond shape feature on some of the N$ 10 and N$ 20 banknotes is cracking after multiple folding or handling."

These notes (BON B9 and B10) were issued 15 May 2012, and feature a large OVI (optically variable ink) diamond with latent image of the denomination. The higher denominations aren't affected because they incorporate different security features.

“From a banknote technical printing perspective, this phenomenon is supposed not to be the case,” said Deputy Governor Ebson Uanguta.

The bank is investigating whether the problem is caused by handling or the ink used by the printer, Oberthur Technologies. The results are expected by August, and may necessitate reprinting the notes.

Tags: Namibia

error


corrected

On 7 March 2011, Bangladesh Bank withdrew its new 50-taka (BB B51 / PNL) note after a spelling mistake of Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin was identified on the back of the note. On 15 July 2012, the bank issued a corrected note identical to the withdrawn note, except for the date (2012 vs. 2011) and the caption on the back.

Courtesy of Frank van Tiel, Robiul Islam (http://www.robiscollection.blogspot.com/), and Mohammed J. Islam.

Tags: Bangladesh

Lockdales, Eastern England's premier coin dealers and auctioneers of collectables, sold a Leeward Islands 10-shilling note on Saturday 14 July 2012 for £10,000 (US$18,000, including buyer's premium). There are only two denominations for the Leeward Islands, both dated 1st January 1921. Rare in any form, this note is unique in that it is prefix A/1 serial number 00001.

Chris Elmy of Lockdales said: “Its current owners are descendants of former Auditor General of Antigua, William Douglas Auchinleck,” whose fascimile signature appears on this note, along with that of Francis W. Griffiths, both signing as COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY. On the back of the note "Issued 6 - 7 - 21" is written in pencil.

Tags: Leeward Islands

The Abyssinia chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 4-page catalog covers notes issued by the Bank of Abyssinia from 1915 to 1929. Revised 15 June 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Abyssinia, Ethiopia

According to an article on Amalawi dated 10 July 2012, the Reserve Bank of Malawi will revise its new family of notes (issued on 23 May 2012) so that they are more "blind friendly." According to the Malawi Union of the Blind, the current notes have raised dots to aid in recognition of the denominations, but the dots are too small to be useful. The bank confirmed that it will address the problem, but didn't specify how or when.

Tags: Malawi

InterCrim-Press is pleased to introduce its new product, “Currencies of the World: Cash Circulation. Analysis. Counterfeiting,” a unique digital resource providing up-to-date information on 182 currencies of more than 250 countries and territories of the world.

The directory is a useful tool for bank employees, security experts of bank financial institutions, law enforcement, customs officials, organizations and businesses of the world currency industry.

The directory consists of three constantly updating modules: "Catalogue of Currencies", "NEWS: Up-to-date information about changes in the currency of the world", and "Counterfeits".

• Module “Catalogue of Currencies" has descriptions of 182 currencies of the world (notes of the main treatment; notes, which are rarely found in circulation, but retained the status of legal tender; notes, which are derived from the circulation: exchanged and canceled; glossary of terms (a full list of terms and concepts with a description of protective elements used in banknote production).

• Module “NEWS” promptly informs about all changes in circulation of the banknotes of the world and provides links to the relevant section of the module "Catalogue of Currencies."

• Module "Counterfeits" contains basic information about counterfeit banknotes, revealed by the law-enforcement agencies in the Russian Federation and CIS countries. Information includes a detailed description of the main signs of counterfeits with the demonstration of fragments (fragments illustrated with simulations of protective elements on the counterfeit banknotes and comparative analysis with similar fragments in genuine banknotes) and of more than 900 varieties of counterfeit banknotes of the following items: rubles of The Bank of Russia, The U.S. dollars, EU euro, GBP of The Bank of England, The Bank of Canada's dollars, francs of The Swiss, People's Bank of China Yuan, the hryvnia of Ukraine, etc.

Each module contains characterization of the protective features of a complex series, high-quality full-color front and back images with the public, and machine-readable security features (images in the UV and IR spectra, magnetic protection), information about the composition of banknote substrate (paper, polymer, composite), printing methods, the date of entry banknotes in circulation, exchange rates.

Try the demo version of the product at http://demo.icpress.ru/en_index.php.

Tags: World

10 euros (US$12), 2002. Like P2, but new signature (Mario Draghi). Confirmed with X country code for Germany and P printer code for G&D. Also reported X for Germany and E for Oberthur, as well as T for Ireland and K for Central Bank of Ireland.

Courtesy of Merjim Groen and Peter Mosselberger.

Tags: European Monetary Union

50 dollars (US$41), no date. Like MAS B5 (P49), but new signature (Tharman Shanmugaratnam) and one triangle under ARTS on back.

Courtesy of Tan Wei Jie, Claudio Marana, and JianKuan Lee (quality_banknotes888).

Tags: Singapore

According to an article in IndiaWest dated 9 July 2012, the Reserve Bank of India said it is working on launching polymer banknotes and will soon start a pilot project. "Counterfeiting of plastic notes is very difficult. So we are planning to launch some plastic money on pilot basis in 4-5 centers like Jaipur, Shimla and Bhubaneshwar. We are working on it," RBI Deputy Governor H.R. Khan told reporters. The bank has made similar statements over the past three years and nothing has come of it yet.

Courtesy of Phil Martin.

Tags: India, Polymer

20 bolivianos (US$2.90), 28 NOVEMBER 1986. Series I. These are printed by Canadian Bank Note. The microprinting changed from “REPUBLICADEBOLIVIA” to “ESTADOPLURINACIONALDEBOLIVIA” and the watermark now contains a pixelated pattern between the portrait and the electrotype denomination.

Courtesy of Christof Zellweger.

Tags: Bolivia

According to a Central Bank of Samoa press release, the bank has issued two commemorative collectible coins and a limited edition 50-tala (US$22) banknote for circulation to mark Samoa’s 50th Independence Day on 1 June 2012. This note is like the preceding issues, but with 50th ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE below the country’s name at upper center on front, darker geometric patterns along the top and bottom edges on both sides, and a new signature combination (Faumuina Tiatia Faaolatane Liuga and Maiava Atalina Ainuu-Enari).

Courtesy of Jay Mollindo and and Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).

Tags: Samoa

According to an article on DailyNews dated 1 March 2012, the Bank of Tanzania plans to replace 500-shilling (US$0.30) notes with coins because the latter lasts much longer in circulation.

The article also contains new details on plans of the East African Community (www.eac.int)—Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda—to introduce a common currency, the new East African shilling.

According to an article on DailyNews dated 6 July 2012, the bank now expects that the notes will be replaced by coins by December 2012.

Tags: Tanzania

According to an article on Zambia Reports dated 4 July 2012, "unforeseen technicalities" have caused the Bank of Zambia to indefinitely postpone the planned re-basing of the kwacha which was expected to take effect this month.

Tags: Zambia

According to a Today newspaper article dated 2 July 2012, the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten revealed that it cannot buy more banknotes because its board has yet to take a decision on the proposal from management to buy new notes.

Tags: Curacao, St. Maarten

Monumental Money: People and Places on U.S. Paper Money, by Yigal Arkin

Presenting U.S. currency used from the colonial period to the present day, this reference surveys the world of American banknotes and paper currency in three parts:

• Part one presents all the banknotes in circulation today, including those being slowly withdrawn as newer designs replace them, along with color photographs and a brief description of the people and sites depicted on each note.
• Part two provides a brief review of the history of the U.S. monetary system, covering the many different types of banknotes that have been used from the colonial period onward.
• Part three features the high-denomination banknotes no longer in circulation, including the $100,000 note.

This book is a nontechnical, accessible journey through a dimension of history often overlooked in its uniqueness and interest.

History, 112 Pages, 6.5 x 9.5
Four-color Interior
US$17.95 (CAN $19.95)
ISBN: 9780615464541
Arkin Publishing
For details, visit Small Press United from IPG.

Tags: United States

Like B216b, but new signatures (Denton Hehenoro Rarawa and Shadrach Fanega).

Courtesy of Andrew Randall.

Tags: Solomon Islands

The Ottawa Numismatic Society voted unanimously in favour of making its journal, moneta, available to all, for free. To download current and past issues, visit www.ons-sno.ca.

Courtesy of Serge Pelletier.

Tags: Canada

50 afghanis (US$1), ١٣٨٣ (SH1383/2004). Like DAB 53 (P69), but new signature (Noorullah Delawari and Anwar ul-Haq Ahady).

Courtesy of David Hull.

Tags: Afghanistan

It's been a while since I last posted a challenge, but I'm working on the Mozambique chapter of The Banknote Book and I came across the following unidentified items on the banknotes dated 1975.






All four of these circular items appear at right front on these notes. Does anyone know what they are, or what they are supposed to symbolize?

If you can precisely identify the name of these items—or have a lead which you think might be useful—please post a comment, preferably including a URL which links to evidence supporting your identification.

Also, according to the SCWPM, these notes (Pick 120-124) were unadopted designs, but I have a scan of a well-worn 100-metical note with normal serial numbers, indicating actual circulation. So, were they issued, and if so, when, and for how long?

Tags: Mozambique

Like B151c, but new date (2012).


Like B150g, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of COLLECTNUMIS NET.

Tags: Zambia

500 pesos (US$12), 2011. Like P196, but new date. Signatures Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III and Amando M. Tetangco, Jr..

Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer.

Tags: Philippines

B239a (PNL): 1,000 meticais (US$35)
Green. Front: Bank logo; Samora Moisés Machel; SPARK bank logo. Back: Three elephants; trees. Windowed security thread with demetalized BM 1000. Watermark: Samora Moisés Machel and Cornerstones. Printer: Unknown. 156 x 65 mm.a. 16 DE JUNHO DE 2011. Signature 2.

Courtesy of Hermann Huber and Ny Andry Ranaivosolo.

Tags: Mozambique

B238 (PNL): 500 meticais (US$18)
Pink. Front: OVI bank logo; Samora Moisés Machel; bank logo. Back: Three Cape buffalos; ferns. Windowed security thread with demetalized BM 500. Watermark: Samora Moisés Machel and Cornerstones. Printer: Unknown. 153 x 65 mm.
a. 16 DE JUNHO DE 2011. Signature 2.

Courtesy of Hermann Huber and Ny Andry Ranaivosolo.

Tags: Mozambique

According to a Stabroek News article dated 28 June 2012, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon announced that cabinet has given its support for the Bank of Guyana to introduce a 5,000-dollar (US$25) banknote. “The $1000 bank note [BOG B11 (P33)] that currently exists as the higher denomination was introduced in 1996 and will be supplemented by a higher denomination,” he said, according to the Government Information Agency.

Tags: Guyana

The Zanzibar chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 3-page catalog covers notes issued by the Zanzibar Government from 1908 to 1928. Revised 15 May 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Zanzibar

According to an article on Angop dated 26 June 2012, the Angolan National Assembly (Parliament) has passed a law authorizing the Banco Nacional de Angola to issue new banknotes and coins in early 2013. The current banknotes in denominations of 1 to 2,000 kwanza were initially issued in 1999 to 2003, and have not had any changes to their security features since that time. The bank is authorized to issue new notes up to 10,000 kwanza (US$105), but plans to issue 5,000- and 10,000-kwanza notes only if necessary. Existing notes will remain legal tender.

The new 2012 series notes will bear different features from the current ones, particularly microprinting and ultraviolet features. The paper notes will bear a watermark depicting the figure of the “thinker,” a symbol of the national culture. Among other features, the notes will also bear two lightly overlapped effigies of the late founder of the Nation, António Agostinho Neto and the incumbent head of State, José Eduardo dos Santos.

Tags: Angola

100 pesos, no date. Like P357, but with both serial numbers printed horizontally in black, and without novel numbering (increasing in size). Series T. Signatures: Mercedes Marcó del Pont and Julio Cobos.

Courtesy of Ezequiel Pailos (NumismatiCenter).

Tags: Argentina

500 afghanis (US$10), ١٣٨٩ (SH1389/2010). Like DAB B60 (P76), but new date and signatures (Abdul Qadeer Fitrat and unknown).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Afghanistan

On 26 June 2012, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced that Graeme Wheeler has been appointed the new governor, effective after current governor Alan Bollard’s second five-year term expires on 25 September 2012. This will likely result in new signature varieties for New Zealand's polymer banknotes.

Courtesy of Scott de Young.

Tags: New Zealand, Polymer

According to a post on the Federación de Entidades Numismáticas y Medallísticas Argentinas, the Banco Central de la República Argentina has approved a contract to print 1.205 million banknotes denominated in 5, 50, and 100 pesos. The Casa de Moneda (the mint) can print only 800 million units, so the remainder will be printed by Compañía de Valores Sudamericana, formerly known as Ciccone.

Additionally, a notice on the bank's web site indicates that new 100-peso notes series T are now in circulation with the same security features as the series S notes introduced in December 2010.

Courtesy of Art Matz.

Tags: Argentina

According to an article on Awoko.org dated 23 June 2012, the Bank of Sierra Leone has begun issuing new 5,000- and 10,000-leone (US$1.15 and $2.30, respectively) banknotes to alleviate a currency shortage. The article mentions that there was a delay in receiving these new notes because “the printers require time to inscribe the intricate security features,” but that wasn’t the case with the 1,000-leone notes. This would appear to indicate that there are some changes between these notes and the preceding issues (BSL B25 / P30 - BSL B28 / P33), but there is no word yet on what those differences may be.

Tags: Sierra Leone

On 28 May 2012, the National Bank of Kazakhstan introduced a 10,000-tengé (US$69) note like B138, but without the 20th anniversary logo on back, and a new date of 2012. The commemorative issue of this note recently received the IBNS Bank Note of the Year award.

Courtesy of Andrew Randall, Thomas Krause, and Ömer Yalcinkaya (stores.ebay.com/Omer-Yalcinkaya-Collection-Shop).

Tags: Kazakhstan

In the interest of helping spread useful information about the hobby of collecting banknotes, I have assembled the following pages with links to useful web sites. You can access these pages via the Links button at left, or click any of the bullet items below.

• Auction Houses
• Banknote Dealers
• Central Banks
• Collector Sites
• Industry Resources
• Organizations

If you would like to suggest additional categories of links, please click here to write to me using the Contact form.

The South Vietnam chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

At the time of initial publication, this 16-page catalog covers every note (129 types and varieties, including 2 notes unlisted in the SCWPM) issued by the Ngân-Hàng QuÓc-Gia ViËt-Nam (National Bank of Vietnam) from 1955 to 1975, the Ngân Hàng ViËt-Nam (Bank of Vietnam) in 1975, and the Uy Ban Trung Uong Mat Tran Dan Toc Giai Phong Mien Nam Vietnam (Central Committee of the Popular Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam) in 1966.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: South Vietnam

Like B240e (P85), but new date (15.01.2011) and signature (Brian Wynter).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).

Tags: Jamaica

CBM B16 (PNL): 10,000 kyats
Blue, red, purple, green, brown, and yellow. Front: Guilloche patterns; two elephants flanking laurel wreath with outline map of Myanmar. Back: Royal Palace of Mandalay with reflection on water. Windowed security thread with demetalized MYANMAR SPW. Watermark: Lotus blossom and electrotype 10000. Printer: SECURITY PRINTING WORKS (in microprint). 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Intro: 15.06.2012.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).

Tags: Myanmar, Burma

There's an interesting article in The Times of India dated 17 June 2012, regarding the Reserve Bank of India seeking suggestions from the public for replacing the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on RBI banknotes.

Tags: India

According to an article on Colombia Reports dated 2 April 2012, the Banco de la República Colombia intended to replace the 1,000-peso (P456) note with a coin in October. However, according to a recent article in Colombia Reports, on 13 June 2012, the bank began issuing new coins in denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 pesos, all featuring pictures of native animals. The bimetallic 1,000-peso (US$0.55) coin depicts a loggerhead sea turtle.

Tags: Colombia

The Serbian Krajina chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 11-page catalog covers notes issued by the Република Српска Крајина / Republika Srpska Krajina (Republic of Serbian Krajina) in 1992, and the Narodna Banka Republike Srpske Krajine (National Bank of the Republic of Serbian Krajina) from 1992 to 1994. Revised 16 August 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Serbian Krajina, Croatia

Collectors of banknotes from the countries comprising the former Soviet Union will be interested to know about the Banknote Register, a new 420-page hardcover catalog to be published in August 2012. I have seen samples of this Russian-language catalog and must say I am very impressed. The layout is attractive, with full-color images of notes, watermarks, photos of signatories, and magnifications when needed to illustrate varieties. Although I don't read Russian, the content appears very detailed and comprehensive.

Written by D.N. Zagorenko and edited by S.L. Perkhalsky, the Register provides the most detailed information on all emissions of paper money in post-Soviet countries from 1991 up to present. It describes the history of money circulation establishment and development in the new sovereign states. The book gives detailed information on each banknote, its variations and types, commemorative and souvenir issues, security features, designers and signatories, issuing volumes (lettered series), images portrayed on the notes. It will be no exaggeration to say that the author has compiled the best known up to now data, some of which will be published for the first time, and also data unknown to many collectors. This work has resulted in compilation and classification of the most complete information on currency circulation in the post-Soviet countries.

The publication of the Register will, for sure, reduce the number of blank spaces in the history of circulation in CIS and Baltic states. Nevertheless, the author continues searching for materials and communicating with paper money collectors, designers and bankers. We hope that the Register of Banknotes of CIS and Baltic Countries will encourage you as well to study actively the currency circulation in the post-Soviet countries. The author will go on cooperating actively with collectors, researchers, museum workers, economists, bank specialists and laymen, who are simply keen on the history of currency circulation.

The Register presents state compulsory issues of banknotes of 16 countries (15 independent states – former USSR republics + Trans-Dniester Moldova’s breakaway Republic). The sequence of sections (countries) is based on the listing of republics used in the USSR.

Banknote Register. CIS and Baltic countries.
D.N.Zagorenko, 420 pages (full-colour printing). Hard cover with pressed gilding, wrapper. 210 x 300 mm. Russian, Tirage 3000 pieces. US$55, www.en.reestr-banknot.ru

5,000 riels (US$1.20), 2007. NBC B18 (P55) with this date had been confirmed previously as a specimen only, but it is now confirmed as an issued note.

Courtesy of Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).

Tags: Cambodia

According to an article on Le Potentiel dated 6 June 2012, the Banque Centrale du Congo (Central Bank of Congo) plans to issue new 1,000-, 5,000-, and 10,000-franc notes on 2 July 2012, with face values of US$1.10, $5.40, and $11, respectively. Currently the largest denomination is 500 francs (B317).

Tags: Congo Democratic Republic

According to a press release dated 23 May 2012, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina issued new banknotes denominated in 10, 20, 50, and 100 marka (US$7.10-$71) on 1 June 2012. The new notes dated 2012 feature the same designs as the preceding issues, but improved paper quality, and enhanced security, including multi-tone and electrotype watermarks, Motion and solid security threads with demetalized text, iridescent stripes, microprinting, UV ink, and optically variable inks. Both issued and specimen varieties have been confirmed.

Courtesy of Sami Kiuru, Mojmir Cerny, and James Pickering (www.e-worldbanknotes.com or James@e-worldbanknotes.com).

Tags: Bosnia-Herzegovina

Like B278f, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Just World Banknotes.

Tags: Romania, Polymer

The Iraq chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 40-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of Iraq from 1931 to 1948, the National Bank of Iraq in 1947, and the Central Bank of Iraq from 1947 to present. Revised 19 July 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Iraq

Like B238h, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of Chris Hall.

Tags: Pakistan

50 pesos (US$3.60), 24 JUN. 2011. Like P123, but new date and new signatures (Jose Julian Sidaoui Dib and Alejandro Alegre Rabiela). Series T (U also confirmed).

Courtesy of Ricardo G. Ramírez and Thomas Krause.

Tags: Mexico, Polymer

50 pesos (US$3.60), 3 MAY. 2010. Like P123, but new date and new signatures (Agustin Guillermo Carstens and Raul Valdes Ramos). Serie S.

Courtesy of Ricardo G. Ramírez.

Tags: Mexico, Polymer

According to an article in the Nyasa Times dated 17 May 2012, the Reserve Bank of Malawi issued new banknotes on 23 May 2012. The bank is replacing the old denominations 10-500 kwacha, and adding a new 1,000-kwacha (US$4) note. The new notes, printed by De La Rue, are "much smaller in size" than the current notes which measure from 132 x 66 mm to 162 x 81 mm. Old notes will circulate in parallel until 22 May 2013, at which time they will cease to be legal tender. Three months later, they will be demonetized.

In related news, on 7 May 2012, the bank devalued the kwacha exchange rate 48.8% from K168 to K250 per US dollar.



B150 (PNL): 20 kwacha (US$0.10)
Purple and orange. Front: Fish; fishermen in boat; Malawi map as registration device; Reserve Bank of Malaŵi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa II (Lazalo Mkhuzo Jere). Back: Domasi Teachers Training College building and tree; stack of books and mortarboard; Malawi map; bank logo. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBM. Watermark: Inkosi ya Makhosi M’mbelwa II, electrotype 20, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 128 x 64 mm.
a. 1st JANUARY 2012. Sig. 11. Intro: 23.05.2012.



B151 (PNL): 50 kwacha (US$0.20)
Light blue, orange, and green. Front: Fish; fishermen in boat; Malawi map as registration device; Reserve Bank of Malaŵi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Inkosi Ya Makhosi Gomani II (Philip Zitonga Maseko). Back: Elephants, tree, and safari vehicle in Kasungu National Park; Malawi map; bank logo. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBM. Watermark: Inkosi Ya Makhosi Gomani II, electrotype 50, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 128 x 64 mm.
a. 1st JANUARY 2012. Sig. 11. Intro: 23.05.2012.



B152 (PNL): 100 kwacha (US$0.40)
Red and orange. Front: Fish; fishermen in boat; Malawi map as registration device; Reserve Bank of Malaŵi headquarters building in Lilongwe; James Frederick Sangala. Back: College of Medicine in Blantyre; stethoscope; Malawi map; bank logo. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBM. Watermark: James Frederick Sangala, electrotype 100, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 128 x 64 mm.
a. 1st JANUARY 2012. Sig. 11. Intro: 23.05.2012.



B153 (PNL): 200 kwacha (US$0.75)
Blue, violet, and orange. Front: Fish; fishermen in boat; Malawi map as registration device; Reserve Bank of Malaŵi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Rose Lomathinda Chibambo. Back: New Parliament building in Lilongwe; Malawi map; bank logo. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBM. Watermark: Rose Lomathinda Chibambo, electrotype 200, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 132 x 66 mm.
a. 1st JANUARY 2012. Sig. 11. Intro: 23.05.2012.



B154 (PNL): 500 kwacha (US$1.90)
Brown, orange, and light blue. Front: Fish; fishermen in boat; Malawi map as registration device; Reserve Bank of Malaŵi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Reverend John Chilembwe. Back: Mulunguzi dam in Zomba; water spigot; Malawi map; bank logo; silhouette of woman carrying container on head and man carrying hoe over shoulder. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized RBM. Watermark: John Chilembwe, electrotype 500, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 132 x 66 mm.
a. 1st JANUARY 2012. Sig. 11. Intro: 23.05.2012.



B155 (PNL): 1,000 kwacha (US$3.80)
Green and orange. Front: Fish; fishermen in boat; Malawi map as registration device; Reserve Bank of Malaŵi headquarters building in Lilongwe; Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Back: Mzuzu maize silos; stalk of maize (corn); Malawi map; bank logo; silhouette of two people mashing maize into flour with poles. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized 1000 RBM. Watermark: Hastings Kamuzu Banda, electrotype 1000, and Cornerstones. Printer: (TDLR). 132 x 66 mm.
a. 1st JANUARY 2012. Sig. 11. Intro: 23.05.2012.

Courtesy of Aidan Work, Claudio Marana, and S. Herald Samson (eBay ID silicoin).

Tags: Malawi

According to a press release dated 31 May 2012, the supervisory board of the Institut d'Emission d'Outre-Mer met in Paris, chaired by Mr. Didier Bruneel, representing the Governor of the Banque de France, and with Mr Nicolas de Seze, CEO. The Council made the three following decisions:

• Renewal of the current family of notes denominated 500, 1000, 5000, and 10000 francs CFP.
• Creating a new note of 20,000 francs CFP (US$210).
• Fixing the release of the new notes towards the end of 2012 (subsequently set for 2014)

Courtesy of Jérôme Deschamps (www.banknoteslinks.com).

Tags: New Caledonia, Tahiti, Wallis and Futuna

20 baht (US$0.60), no date. Like P109, but new signatures (Kittirat na Ranong and Prasarn Trairatvorakul).

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Thailand

SOJ B32 (PNL): 100 pounds (US$162)
Purple. Front: Three lions passant guardant; crowned ERII Diamond Jubilee 1952 - 2012 overprint; outline map of Jersey; Queen Elizabeth II wearing King George IV’s state diadem and a pearl necklace. Back (vertical): Three lions passant guardant; Royal Mace of Jersey; Jersey flag. Dual Image Holographic stripe. 4-mm wide StarChorme Cleartext windowed security thread with demetalized Royal Mace and JERSEY 100. Watermark: Queen Elizabeth II, electrotype 100, and Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 163 x 90 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 7. Intro: 01.06.2012.

The 100-pound note was also sold in a commemorative Diamond Jubilee wallet (priced at £105) or as part of a limited edition commemorative folder (priced at £245) containing a 10-pound commemorative postage stamp.

Courtesy of yuri111, Pam West, Shibu Paul & Ashley Alexander (www.ebanknoteshop.com), and Marcus Jansson.

Tags: Jersey

The States of Guernesy have issued a 20-pound (US$31) banknote to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. The notes include the prefix QE60, a commemorative laurel wreath, and additional wording. The back remains the same as the preceding regular issue of this denomination. A total of 150,000 of the notes have been issued and will circulate alongside the current £20 note. Uncirculated notes can be purchased through the Guernsey Philatelic Bureau at Envoy House (philatelic@guernseypost.com). The notes have been designed and produced by De La Rue Currency, a company started by Guernseyman Thomas De La Rue in the 19th Century.

Courtesy of Shibu Paul and Pam West.

Tags: Guernsey

The New Zealand chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 19-page catalog covers notes issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand from 1934 to present. Revised 21 June 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: New Zealand

500 francs (US$0.35), 01-09-2011. Like P45, but new date and new signatures (Melchior Wagara and Gaspard Sindayigaya).

Courtesy of yuri111.

Tags: Burundi

5,000 francs (US$9.50), (20)11. Like P717K, but new date and new signatures (Tiemoko Yadé Dominique Coulibaly and José Mario Vaz).

10,000 francs (US$19), (20)11. Like P718K, but new date and new signatures (Tiemoko Yadé Dominique Coulibaly and José Mario Vaz).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Jean Leclerc.

Tags: West African States

On 23 May 2012, the Royal Bank of Scotland introduced a new 10-pound (US$16) note commemorating the diamond jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The note is dated 6 February, the anniversary of the day of Her Majesty's accession to the throne.

Other features include:

• the official crown emblem of the Diamond Jubilee
• four intaglio portraits of the Queen, showing her at different stages in her life
• an engraving of a window in Holyrood Abbey
• a thistle design, related to the Order of the Thistle
• serial numbers with the prefix TQDJ, standing for The Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

The note is available in branches in Scotland. Customers outside Scotland can order up to 20 notes for the face value plus 5.90 pounds postage. Two million of the notes will be issued, with initial supplies already in circulation, to celebrate the Queen's 60-year reign.

Some of the new notes, and other rare RBS banknotes, will be sold at a charity auction later in the year, with the proceeds going to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Charity Trust. Notes with special serial numbers have been donated to the Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust (PSYBT), Oxfam, National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Golf Union and the STV Children's Appeal.

Courtesy of Alessio Amato, Jens Luettschwager, Pam West.

Tags: Scotland

According to an article on Malawi Today dated 27 May 2012, the new 20-kwacha (US$0.08) note issued on 23 May contains an error. On the back of the note is a building identified as the Domasi Teachers Training College (now known as the Domasi College of Education). However it's reported that the building is in fact the Machinga Teachers Training College. Reserve Bank of Malawi spokesperson Ralph Tseka played down the issue, saying the error would not affect the legal tender as the rest of the security features are intact. "We are going to verify and if we find the error we will make a correction in the next issue," said Tseka.

I have been unable to find any images of either college online to confirm that this is in fact an error. Any assistance in this regard would be greatly appreciated.

Courtesy of Richard Miranda.

Tags: Malawi, Error

B237a (PNL): 200 meticais (US$7)
Blue. Front: Samora Moisés Machel; bank seal. Back: One male and two female lions; trees. Windowed security thread with demetalized BM 200. Watermark: Samora Moisés Machel, electrotype 200, and Cornerstones. Printer: Unknown. 150 x 65 mm.
a. 16 DE JUNHO DE 2011. Signature 2.

Courtesy of Hermann Huber and Ny Andry Ranaivosolo.

Tags: Mozambique

According to a press release dated 4 May 2012, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has issued a new 500-peso (US$12) note of the old style (P196) "with an overprint of the logo of the 45th Annual Meeting of the Asian Development Bank to express solidarity with the ADB’s goal to free Asia and the Pacific from poverty. By ADB’s estimate, about 1.8 billion people in the region are poor and unable to access essential goods, services, and opportunities. The overprint is on the 500-piso banknote that features the late Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr. who said: “The Filipino is worth dying for.” A total of 10 million pieces of these 500-peso banknotes were printed by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to make it available to the general public through banks across the country."

Courtesy of Christopher Vaughn Inot and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Philippines

100 rupees (US$1.80), 2012. Like P98, but new date, new signature, and addition of rupee symbol to denomination. Confirmed without inset letter and R inset letter.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson, Hartmut Fraunhoffer (www.banknoten.de), and Claudio Marana.

Tags: India

20 rupees (US$0.35), 2012. Like P96, but new date, new signature, and addition of rupee symbol to denomination. Confirmed without inset letter and R inset letter.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and Hartmut Fraunhoffer (www.banknoten.de).

Tags: India

50 afghanis (US$1), ١٣٨٩ (SH1389/2010). Like DAB B62 (PNL), but new date and signatures (Abdul Qadeer Fitrat and unknown).

100 afghanis (US$2), ١٣٨٩ (SH1389/2010). Like DAB B59 (P75), but new date and signatures (Abdul Qadeer Fitrat and unknown).

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Afghanistan

1,000 francs (US$1.90), (20)12. Like P215K and P715K, but new date and new signatures (Tiéna Coulibaly and Tiémoko Meyliet Koné).

Courtesy of Jean Leclerc, Claudio Marana, and Sejin Ahn.

Tags: West African States

500 francs (US$0.01), 2012. Like BCRG B28 (P39), but new date.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Tags: Guinea

The Nagorno-Karabakh chapter of The Banknote Book is now available as a free download.

This 2-page catalog covers notes issued by the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from 2004 to present. Revised 12 March 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan, Armenia

World Paper & Polymer Uncut Banknote
K. N. Boon, 154 pages, soft cover, 297 x 210 mm, color illustrations, Chinese and English, ISBN 978-983-43313-4-4, US$15, www.3833.com

K. N. Boon's recently published book, World Paper & Polymer Uncut Banknote, is the first catalog devoted entirely to collectors of uncut sheets of notes, and as such it fills an interesting gap in the numismatic field of knowledge.

I had hoped to learn more about how and why uncut sheets are sold to collectors, mailing/storage/display options, deciphering plate and block nubmers, etc. Unfortunately, aside from a few pages of introductory text, there's not much prose in this book, the bulk of which is devoted to depictions of the banknote sheets along with brief descriptions and variety listings. The text is written primarily in English, with some material also in Chinese. For the most part, the English is serviceable, in spite of some typos and awkward phrases.

The banknote listings are segregated by substrate, with paper-based notes appearing first, followed by polymer-based notes at the end of the catalog. I would prefer to see all of the notes of a particular country listed together, but collectors who specialize in polymer issues may appreciate having these notes broken out into their own section.

Within the paper and polymer sections, the listings are organized alphabetically by country, then grouped by denominations (smallest to largest), each in chronological order. Unique note types are assigned their own KNB numbers, with lowercase variety letters appended to distinguish between sheets with different attributes. For example, KNB4a may refer to an uncut block of 4 notes, whereas KNB4b refers to a full uncut sheet of 45 notes. Alas, there are no cross-references to other catalog numbers of the underlying notes.

In most cases, blocks (mini-sheets) or full sheets of notes are illustrated, except when the author wasn't able to obtain such images. In those cases, an individual note is shown instead. I actually prefer this latter presentation because the note's design details can be seen, which is not the case when the sheets are reproduced greatly reduced in size. I hope the second edition of this book will include larger illustrations of the front and back of individual notes to each listing for the best of both worlds. Another improvement would be expanded descriptions of the notes. Many notes lack any descriptions at all, and for those that are described, the text is terse and typically applies only to the front; usually the backs are ignored altogether.

Each listing has columns for Date of Issue, Quantity Issued, Issued Price, and Market Price, with the last two values shown in Chinese yuan (RMB). Market prices are given for almost all listings, but in many cases the other columns are left blank. Hopefully further research will result in this information being added in future editions.

Unfortunately, some unscrupulous sellers cut notes from sheets in an attempt to create "errors" or rare prefix varieties which are then foisted upon unsuspecting buyers. To the author's credit, some listings include warnings about this practice, and some listings also indicate the prefixes found on the sheets, but it's unclear if these prefixes are exclusive to sheets. More detailed prefix information might allow for the easy identification of such doctored notes.

World Paper & Polymer Uncut Banknote is an excellent first attempt to systematically document an area of collecting that has heretofore been largely ignored by other catalogs. Collectors of banknote sheets will most definitely appreciate having this handsome, professionally printed, full-color volume in their reference library.

Check out other book reviews and news on the Books page of this site.

Tags: World, Polymer

The following is a letter that I recently wrote to the editor of the International Bank Note Society's Journal. I do not know if it will be published in an upcoming issue, but I thought visitors to this site might find it interesting nonetheless.—OWL

Dear Editor,

I enjoyed reading Marc Riquier's article, "The History of Plastic Banknotes: It All Started in Belgium!" in Vol. 51:1 about the role Union Chimique Belge played in the development of the Guardian substrate popularized by Securency International. However, I have practical and technical objections to the use of the term "hybrid" to describe notes employing Giesecke & Devrient's varifeye or De La Rue’s Optiks.

As a practical matter, Hybrid (with a capital H) is G&D's term for its patented substrate comprised of cotton fibers sandwiched between layers of plastic. To use hybrid (with a lower-case H) in conjunction with different, competing products only invites confusion.

From a technical standpoint, both varifeye and Optiks create see-through windows by applying thin transparent films over apertures in paper substrates (see my articles in Vol. 47:1 and 47:4, respectively). While it's true that the films are polymers and appear on paper notes, the mere addition of a disparate material to the substrate doesn't change the classification of the substrate. If it did, any banknote with a security thread, foil patch, or holographic stripe would be a hybrid.

Collectors should adopt the terminology used by the security printing industry, in which the term hybrid is applied only to banknotes with substrates that are a combination of paper and polymer. G&D's Hybrid substrate certainly qualifies and has already been used on notes such as Swaziland's 100- and 200-lilangeni commemoratives dated 2008. Landqart's Durasafe takes the opposite approach, placing paper on the outside and a polymer core at center. The Swiss National Bank is using Durasafe for its new series of notes expected to be issued in 2013.

Owen W. Linzmayer 7962

Tags: Polymer

5 naira (US$0.05), 2011. Like B234 (PNL), but new date.

Courtesy of Arigo Avbovbo.

Tags: Nigeria, Polymer

100 naira (US$0.70), 2012. Like B226 (P28), but new date and new signatures (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Muhammad Nda).


100 naira (US$0.70), 2012. Like B226 (P28), but new date and new signatures (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Mahmoud K. Umar).

Courtesy of Arigo Avbovbo.

Tags: Nigeria

200 naira (US$1.45), 2012. Like B227 (P29), but new date.

Courtesy of Arigo Avbovbo.

Tags: Nigeria

1,000 naira (US$7.15), 2012. Like CBN B29 (P36), but but new date and new signatures (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Mahmoud K. Umar).

Courtesy of Arigo Avbovbo.

Tags: Nigeria

According to an article on News24.com dated 20 May 2012, the South Africa Reserve Bank shreaded more than 3.6 million 100-rand (US$12) notes printed by Crane Currency’s Swedish division (Tumba Bruk) because they have the same serial numbers as a batch printed by the South African Bank Note Company. In addition, the notes printed in Sweden aren’t the right color, and they are one millimeter short.

The article doesn't state if the defective notes are of the existing series (P131) or the new series featuring Nelson Mandela's portrait, which are scheduled for introduction in late 2012. In 2011, the South African Reserve Bank outsourced printing of the 100-rand note to Sweden following the discovery of missing security features on notes previously printed by the South African Bank Note Company.

Tags: South Africa

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) announces that its voting membership has selected the National Bank of Kazakhstan to receive its prestigious “Bank Note of the Year” Award for 2011. Facing stiff competition as always from almost 100 new banknotes released worldwide in 2011, the 10,000 Tenge denomination Kazakhstani note [NBK B38 (PNL)] was followed in voting by the Canada 100 Dollar and Gibraltar 100 Pound currency bills [GOG B34 (P39)].

Now in its 51st year, the IBNS has over 2000 members worldwide. As a non-profit educational organization its objectives are to promote, stimulate and advance the study, collection and dissemination of information related to paper money. From all significantly newly designed and widely circulated banknotes released in 2011, the IBNS board of directors nominated notes from 12 different countries to place on the ballot. Nominees represented 5 continents and ranged from the fledgling country of South Sudan to the venerable Bank of England. Past “Bank Note of the Year” winners include Uganda (2010), Bermuda (2009), Samoa (2008), Scotland (2007), Comoros (2006), Faeroe Islands (2005) and Canada (2004).

The 2011 winning banknote was designed collaboratively by De La Rue of England and the National Bank. The Banknote Factory of the National Bank of Kazakhstan undertook the printing. The 10,000 Tenge bill has a face value of approximately 68 U.S. dollars or 53 euro or 42 British pounds at mid-May 2012 exchange rates. The note was released 4 July 2011 with a circulation of 30 million pieces to commemorate 20 years of Independence for the Republic of Kazakhstan. Slightly larger than either the 50 euro or U.S. dollar bills, its size is almost identical to the English 20 pound note.

The stunning design, predominantly in dark blue-violet features the “Kazak Eli” monument with flying birds in a vertical format on the face of the banknote. The horizontal format reverse side highlights the Presidential Palace in the new capital city of Astana and a map of the country. A full color image of this and other Kazakh banknotes can be viewed on the National Bank’s website.

The IBNS is open to membership from interested persons in any country. Details concerning all IBNS activities are available at www.theibns.org.

Tags: Kazakhstan

1,000 afghanis (US$20), ١٣٨٩ (SH1389/2010). Like DAB B61 (P77), but new date and signatures (Abdul Qadeer Fitrat and unknown).

Courtesy of Victor Krysko.

Tags: Afghanistan

This note is like AMB B15 (P26), but with new date, and the issuer's name changed from Azərbaycan Milli Bankı (National Bank of Azerbaijan) to Azərbaycan Mərkəzi Bankı (Central Bank of Azerbaijan). To date, only the 1- and 5-manat denominations have been confirmed with the new bank name.



B402 (PNL): 5 manat (US$6.35)
Orange. Front: MANAT as registration device; literature personalities, ancient books, and a part from the state anthem. Back: Map of Europe; Qobustan rock hieroglyphs, Orhon-Yenisei alphabet, and modern writing; ; map of Azerbaijan. Windowed security thread with demetalized Azәrbaycan Mәrkәzi Banki 5 MANAT. Watermark: Quill pen & book and electrotype 5. Printer: (OeBS). 127 x 70 mm.
a. 2009. Signature 1.

Courtesy of yuri111@yahoo.com.

Tags: Azerbaijan

According to an article on Scotsman.com dated 19 May 2012, the Royal Bank of Scotland will auction off some of its rare notes at a charity benefit for the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubliee Trust.

Tags: Scotland

B330 (P72): 20 dollars (US$10)
Brown, chestnut, and orange. Front: Jade head; flying bird; coat of arms; school of fish; Queen Elizabeth II wearing Grand Duchess Vladimir’s tiara and Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee necklace; Baird’s tapir head as registration device. Back: Tapir; keel-billed toucan and Baird’s tapir; Central Bank of Belize headquarters building in Belize City. Windowed security thread with demetalized BELIZE. Watermark: Carved head of the “sleeping giant” and electrotype TWENTY. Printer: DE LA RUE. 140 x 70 mm.
a. 1st. JANUARY 2012. Sig. 13c. Intro: 30.04.2012.

Courtesy of yuri111.

Tags: Belize

The Ethiopia chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 20-page catalog covers notes issued by the Bank of Ethiopia from 1932 to 1933, the State Bank of Ethiopia from 1945 to 1961, and the National Bank of Ethiopia from 1966 to present. Revised 4 May 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Ethiopia

According to an article in Leadership dated 13 May 2012, the Central Bank of Nigeria is contemplating introducing 2,000- and 5,000-naira (US$13 and $31, respectively) notes, as well as replacing the 10-, 20-, and 50-naira notes with coins.

Tags: Nigeria

B209 (PNL): 10 dollars (US$1.50)
Blue. Front: H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-gold OVI diamond with latent image 10. Back: Coat of arms; three standing springbok antelope (Antidorcas marsupialis). Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 10. Watermark: Sam Nujoma and electrotype 10. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 129 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.



B210 (PNL): 20 dollars (US$2.95)
Orange. Front: H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-magenta OVI diamond with latent image 20. Back: Coat of arms; three standing red hartebeest. Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 20. Watermark: Sam Nujoma and electrotype 20. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 134 x 70 mm.
a. 2011. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.

Curiously, the 20-dollar note is dated 2011, whereas all the other denominations bear the date of 2012 at lower center on back.



B211 (PNL): 50 dollars (US$7.35)
Green. Front: Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-gold SPARK bank logo. Back: Coat of arms; five standing kudo antelope (Tragelaphus stepsiceros). Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 50. Watermark: Hendrik Witbooi and electrotype 50. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 140 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.



B212 (PNL): 100 dollars (US$15)
Pink. Front: Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-gold SPARK bank logo. Back: Coat of arms; three standing oryx antelope (Oryx gazella). Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 100. Watermark: Hendrik Witbooi and electrotype 100. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 147 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.


B213 (PNL): 200 dollars (US$29)
Purple. Front: Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi; Parliament building in Windhoek; green-to-purple SPARK bank logo. Back: Coat of arms; three standing roan antelope. Green-to-magenta/blue windowed security thread with demetalized BON 200. Watermark: Hendrik Witbooi and electrotype 200. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 152 x 70 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 4. Intro: 15.05.2012.

Courtesy of Heinrich Lindner.

Tags: Namibia

Like B232b, but new date (2012) and signatures (Dr. Umaya Toukan, Minister of Finance; Mohammad Said Shahin, Governer).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Aseel Altotanjee.

Tags: Jordan

Like B431a, but new date (2011).

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Mongolia

10 rupees (US$0.20), 2012. Like P95, but new date and inset letter P. This note does not have the rupee symbol. Curiously, the 10-rupee note bearing the rupee symbol has previously been confirmed dated 2011.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Agostinho "Gus" Oliveira (gus26550@yahoo.com).

Tags: India

The Equatorial African States chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 5-page catalog covers notes issued by the Central Bank of Equatorial African States and Cameroun in 1961, and the Banque Centrale États de l’Afrique Équatoriale (Central Bank of Equatorial African States) from 1963 to 1968. Revised 4 May 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.

Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list by clicking the button below.

Tags: Equatorial African States

10,000 shillings (US$4.05), 2011. Like BOU B57 (P52), but new date.

Courtesy of Monetary Research Institute.

Tags: Uganda

100 dollars (US$0.50), no date. Like BOG B14 (P36), but electrotype watermark changed from map of Guyana to 100. The series started at B/30 000001 and was introduced on 25 January 2012.

Courtesy of Murtaza Azeez.

Tags: Guyana

According to an article on APA dated 8 May 2012, Chairman Elman Rustamov has said that the Central Bank of Azerbaijan is currently designing new 150-, 200-, and 500-manat banknotes for issuance in the coming years. Currently the largest denomination is the 100-manat note (AMB B19 / P30) with a face value of US$127.

Tags: Azerbaijan

According to an article on The Post Online dated 7 May 2012, the rebased Zambian kwacha notes will feature the national symbol of the fish eagle instead of a portrait. The name of the printer of the new notes is expected to be announced this week. The colors and themes of the new notes will be the same as the old ones (economic, culture and history), except for the new denominations of 2 and 100 kwacha.

Tags: Zambia

According to a press release, the State Bank of Pakistan began issuing banknotes with Governor Yaseen Anwar’s signature on 10 February 2012. Notes with the new signature dated 2011 have been confirmed on denominations 10 - 1,000 rupees.

Courtesy of Qaisar Miana, Hans-Dieter Müeller, and Dr. Malik Aftab Joiya.

Tags: Pakistan

Like B139i, but new date (2010).

Courtesy of Garry Craig.

Tags: Zambia

The Bermuda chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 27-page catalog covers notes issued by the Bermuda Government from 1914 to 1970, and the Bermuda Monetary Authority from 1974 to present. Revised 25 May 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


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Tags: Bermuda

20,000 pesos (US$11), 23 DE AGOSTO DE 2009. Like P454, but new date.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Tags: Colombia

100 kroner (US$17), 2010. Like P49, but new date and prefix letter before serial number.

Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer.

Tags: Norway

Like B241f, but new date (15.01.2011). Signature: Brian Wynter.

Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer.

Tags: Jamaica

5,000 pesos (US$2.85), 31 DE JULIO DE 2010. Like P452, but new date and signatures.

Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer.

Tags: Colombia

20 baht (US$0.65), no date. Like P109, but new signatures (Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala and Prasarn Trairatvorakul).

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn.

Tags: Thailand

50 lempiras (US$2.60), 6 DE MAYO DE 2010. Like P94 and P94A, but new date, new signatures, and new imprint (OBERTHUR technologies).

Courtesy of Antonio Sansur.

Tags: Honduras

5 lempiras (US$0.25), 6 DE MAYO DE 2010. Like P91, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Antonio Sansur.

Tags: Honduras

1 lempira (US$0.05), 6 DE MAYO DE 2010. Like P89, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Antonio Sansur.

Tags: Honduras

20 lempiras (US$1.05), 31 DE JULIO DE 2008. Like P95, but new signature. Shown above are the two confirmed signature varieties for this note. If others exist, please send scans.

Courtesy of Antonio Sansur.

Tags: Honduras, Polymer

Like BFX908c, but new date (2011) and new signature.

Notice that the new signature is printed atop the embossing of the preceding signature. This new inked signature atop old embossed signature is also confirmed on 20-peso note dated 2009 and 1-peso convertible note dated 2011.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and Raul Perez Alejo.

Tags: Cuba

The prefixes on modern Cuban notes follow a very predicatble system:

All 20-peso notes have a series or prefix consisting of two characters (the first always C) followed by a dash and a two-digit number. When the year changes, the second letter in the prefix advances alphabetically. At least that's how it works for every other denomination, but there's an oddity with the 20-peso note.

From the images above, we can see a 20-peso note dated 2002 (P118) with prefix CD, followed by another 2002 dated note with prefix CE, and finally the commemorative dated 2003 (P126) with prefix CF.

It's possible that there exists a non-commemorative 20-peso note dated 2003 with prefix CE. If anyone can provide scans of same, it would be greatly appreciated.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and David Jones.

Tags: Cuba

Shown above, Bermuda B226a is dated 24 MAY 2000. The Bermuda Monetary Authority claims that it has also issued this denomination dated 2007. However, I'm unable to verify this note exists. If anyone can provide scans of same, it would be greatly appreciated.

Tags: Bermuda

The Azerbaijan chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 12-page catalog covers notes issued by the Azerbaijan Government in 1919, the Republic of Azerbaijan in 1919, the National Bank of Azerbaijan from 1992 to 2005, and the Central Bank of Azerbaijan from 2009 to present. Revised 21.03.2019.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list.

Tags: Azerbaijan

According to an article on CaledoSphere dated 24 April 2012, under the chairmanship of Harold Martin, the government of New Caledonia has validated final designs for 500-, 1,000-, 5,000-, and 10,000-franc banknotes, though for security reasons the images have not been made public. The final designs are based upon drawings by Sophie Eugene, winner of the competition held in New Caledonia in 2008, under the previous Martin government. If the Banque de France approves, the new notes will enter circulation in 2013.



Courtesy of Jérome Deschamps.

Tags: New Caledonia

This 100-pataca (US$12.50) note dated 31/2011 commemorates the centennial anniversary of the Banco da China.

Courtesy of Don Ludwig.

Tags: Macau

50 afghanis (US$1), ١٢٨٧ (SH1387/2008). Like DAB B53 (P69), but new date and signatures, as well as Cornerstone watermarks. Also, Arabesque design at center front more red than green.

Courtesy of Takis Kouvatseas.

Tags: Afghanistan

Sverigis Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, has unveiled the artistic starting point for its new series of banknotes. The competition concluded in April 2012 and the jury chose "Kulturresan/Cultural journey" as the winning design. The General Council of the Riksbank decided that Göran Österlund's entry "Kulturresan/Cultural journey" would form the artistic starting point for the new banknotes.

• 20 kronor: Astrid Lindgren, Småland
• 50 kronor: Evert Taube, Bohuslän
• 100 kronor: Greta Garbo, Stockholm
• 200 kronor: Ingmar Bergman, Gotland
• 500 kronor: Birgit Nilsson, Skåne
• 1000 kronor: Dag Hammarskjöld, Lappland

Courtesy of Marcus Jansson and Thomas Krause.

Tags: Sweden

100 francs (US$0.01), 2012. Like BCRG B24 (P35), but new date and new prefix/serial number font.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Guinea

Like B430a, but new date (2011).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Mongolia

Like B238g, but new signature (Yaseen Anwar).

Courtesy of Chris Hall.

Tags: Pakistan

The Bank of Canada held a press event on 26 March 2012 to officially introduce the new polymer 50-dollar note.




50 dollars (US$50). Red. Front: Maple leaf; William Lyon Mackenzie King. Back: Canadian Coast Guard Ship Amundsen, an Arctic research icebreaker; map of Canada; map leaf. Holographic stripe. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: Unknown. 152 x 70 mm. Polymer.

Courtesy of Arthur John Boyko and Jens Luettschwager.

Tags: Canada, Polymer

On 19 April 2012, the Reserve Bank of India issued new 50-rupee (US$0.95) notes with the rupee symbol, no inset letter, and the signature of Governor Subbarao.

Courtesy of Mohamed Ibrahim.

Tags: India

Gibraltar's Currency & Banknotes 1898-2011
by Richard J. M. Garcia, 109 pages, soft cover, 250 x 150 mm, color illustrations, English, ISBN 978-1-919663-09-8, US$24.95 (airmail postage included), braid@gibtelecom.net

Richard Garcia’s latest book addresses a topic that has never hitherto been studied, that of money in Gibraltar from 1898 to 2011. The choice of dates was deliberate. Gibraltar adopted sterling currency as the only legal tender in Gibraltar in 1898. It was in 2011 that the Gibraltar Government assumed sole responsibility for the design, printing and production of banknotes, taking over responsibilities that until then had been the preserve of a Secretary of State in England. A lot happened in between.

The book is not just about banknotes: it sets out to place Gibraltar’s currency in a social history context, looking at how Gibraltar was changing and developing and how these changes were reflected by our banknotes and coinage. It is the fruit of research in the Government Archives and in the Treasury. It explores a number of areas including:

• Why Gibraltar adopted sterling currency in 1898. The accepted reason for this has hitherto been that it was the result of the inflation which accompanied the war of 1898 between Spain and the United States. This was not, in fact, the case.
• Why Gibraltar chose to issue banknotes in 1914, at the time of the outbreak of World War I, and the procedure that was followed in arriving at the design of the banknotes and printing them, without previously having consulted London.
• The financial crisis that arose on the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936.
• What happened in Gibraltar during World War II in terms of demand for currency notes in the light of the evacuation, the feared invasion of Gibraltar, and the build-up of troops in Gibraltar.
• The impact of the Spanish blockade of the 1960s and the eventual closure by Spain of the land frontier with Gibraltar and the withdrawal of Spanish labour.
• The introduction of decimal currency in 1971.
• The introduction of Gibraltar circulating coins.
• The reasons for the subsequent issue of higher denomination currency notes.

There are 52 colour illustrations in the book. The design of the front and back of every design used for a Gibraltar banknote is depicted, including the rare notes of 1914. There is also a complete listing of all 73 currency notes issued by Gibraltar, indicating the date of issue of the note and the signature on it.

The book is a companion to the article written by Richard Garcia and which was published in the Gibraltar Heritage Trust journal, tracing Gibraltar’s currency from 1704 to 1872, when Spanish currency was adopted as Gibraltar’s only legal tender.

Check out other book reviews and news on the Books page of this site.

Tags: Gibraltar

According to a press release dated 18 April 2012, Thomas Jordan has been appointed to be the new chairman of the governing board of the Swiss National Bank. This move, along with other staff changes, means new signature combinations are likely on Swiss notes.

Courtesy of Christof Zellweger.

Tags: Switzerland

According to a Reuters article dated 12 April 2012, Iraq has decided not to move forward with revaluing the dinar 1,000:1 this coming September as originally planned, because cabinet secretary Ali al-Alaq says the economic climate is not suitable for such a move. The redenomination is on hold "until further notice."

Tags: Iraq

According to a press release dated 12 April 2012, the Reserve Bank of India will shortly issue new 20-rupee notes with the rupee symbol, no inset letter, and the signature of Governor Subbarao.

Additional information and images are requested so that this report can be confirmed.

Tags: India

Bank Negara Malaysia’s new family of banknotes were inspired by elements which distinctively define the country's diverse culture, heritage, and nature. Themed “Distinctively Malaysia,” the fourth series of Malaysian banknotes features traditional expressions in the art and craft, natural wonders, flora and fauna, economy and tradition. The notes also have enhanced security features.

On the front side, all banknote denominations in the new series retain the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Tuanku Muhammad, the national flower Rosa-sinensis hibiscus (known locally as the 'Bunga Raya') and patterns of traditional woven fabric - the “songket.”

The back side of each banknote denomination features different elements of nature, tradition, culture, flora, fauna and the economy that are distinctively Malaysian.

Commemorative sets of the new notes were sold at a premium over face value beginning 22 December 2011. The regular issue notes are scheduled to enter circulation on 16 July 2012, though the 50-ringgit denomination was issued in December 2007 and will continue to circulate. For what it’s worth, the 50-ringgit notes issued individually have 2-letter prefixes, while those issued in the matching serial number sets have 3-letter prefixes.



Courtesy of Mark St. Pierre, Gerhard Hoeck, Wilson Chow, and Aidan Work.

Tags: Malaysia

AllAfrica has an excellent article dated 13 April 2012 concerning the history of De La Rue's contracts to print banknotes for the Central Bank of Kenya.

Tags: Kenya

According to an article on Agence Mauritanienne d’Information, on 1 February 2012, the Banque Centrale de Mauritanie introduced a new 2,000-ouguiya (US$6.80) note that is smaller than the preceding issue (B118), and includes several new anti-counterfeiting elements, including a ClearText windowed security thread with demetalized BCM 2000, holographic stripe, and green-to-blue OVI features, as well as a new blue color scheme.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Mauritania

500 baht (US$16.25), no date. Like P107, but new signatures (Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala and Prasarn Trairatvorakul).


1,000 baht (US$33.50), no date. Like P115, but new signatures (Thirachai Phuvanatnaranubala and Prasarn Trairatvorakul).

Courtesy of Victor Krysko.

Tags: Thailand

According to Danmarks Nationalbank, on 19 March 2012 an updated version of the Faroese banknote series with new security features was put in circulation. The notes are identical to the current issues, but with new Motion windowed security threads and perfect registration devices instead of holographic patches on the fronts, and mother-of-pearl threads and fluorescent colors added on the backs. Existing notes will circulate in parallel with the new notes.

















Signators on all denominations are Dan M. Knudsen and Aksel V. Johannesen

Courtesy of Jan Skoalid (www.worldbanknotes.dk) and Jan Ove Larsen.

Tags: Faroe Islands

5 pounds (US$7.90) and 50 pounds (US$79.25), 1st AUGUST 2011. Like P124 and P127, respectively, but new date and new signatures (Antonio Horta-Osorio and P. Grant).

Courtesy of Pam West (http://britishnotes.co.uk).

Tags: Scotland

According to an article in Outlook India dated 31 March 2012, within a year or two the Reserve Bank of India intends to issue new banknotes portraying the growth and development story of the country, says Bimal Julka, Director General, Directorate of Currency.

"It has been decided to add new features to currency notes. When anyone will look at a 500- or 1,000-rupee (US$9.70 and $19.40, respectively) note, it should also reflect India's growth and development.” The new notes will also have enhanced security features..

Courtesy of Richard Miranda.

Tags: India

Rumors recently surfaced in a Colombia Reports article dated 2 April 2012 that the back of Colombia’s 1,000-peso (US$0.55) note (Pick 450 and 456)—first issued in 2001—contains an image of Cuba’s former leader, Fidel Castro, as a young student in the crowd behind Colombian presidential candidate Jorge Eliécer Gaitán Ayala. However, in a follow-up article, the banknote’s designer, Jose Antonio Suarez, denies that he inserted Castro into the crowd and insists the likeness is merely a coincidence. According to the article, Banco de la República de Colombia plans to replace the 1,000-peso note with a coin in October.

Courtesy of Christof Zellweger.

Tags: Colombia, Cuba

According to an artilce on Focus dated 18 March 2012, the European Central Bank has begun circulating banknotes with the signature of Mario Draghi, who has served as ECB president since 1 November 2011, following Jean-Claude Trichet and Willem Duisenberg. All other features of the euro notes remain the same, including the copyright date.

Courtesy of Richard Miranda and Claudio Marana.

Tags: European Monetary Union

100 kwanza (US$1.05), JANEIRO DE 2011. Like P147, but new date and new signatures.

200 kwanza (US$2.10), JANEIRO DE 2011. Like P148, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Rui Manuel Palhares.

Tags: Angola

According to an article in Iceland Review Online dated 2 April 2012, Már Guðmundsson, governor of Sedlabanki Islands, Iceland's central bank, says the bank will issue a 10,000-króna (US$79) note in the autumn of 2013, double the largest denomination in use currently. The new 10,000-króna note will have improved safety features than older bank notes. It will have decorations related to national poet Jónas Hallgrímsson, as well as a picture of the golden plover.

Courtesy of Jay Mollindo and Richard Miranda.

Tags: Iceland

According to a press release dated 16 January 2012 on Sabait.com, the web site of Eritrea’s Ministry of Information, the National Bank of Eritrea has produced new 50- and 100-nakfa (US$3.35 and $6.65, respectively) banknotes. Kibreab Woldemariam, administrator of the bank, said the new 50-nakfa note is already in circulation, and the new 100-nakfa note will be introduced soon.

“Explaining that it is common to change old currency notes with new one, Mr. Kibreab said that the previous currency notes of the same color were creating problem to identify. As a result, the National Bank of Eritrean was obliged to make the change. The Government has been conducting research to print colored currency notes of better color and that the process would be continue as regards other currency notes, he added. Pointing out that the newly circulated currency notes are of the same value with the previous ones, Mr. Kibreab called on the general public to utilize with due caution.”

Courtesy of Nazir Rahemtulla and Philanote.

Tags: Eritrea

5,000 francs (US$10), (20)10. Like P317, but new date and signatures (Philippe Henri Dacouri Tabley and José Mario Vaz).

10,000 francs (US$20), (20)10. Like P318, but new date and signatures (Philippe Henri Dacouri Tabley and José Mario Vaz).

Courtesy of Richard Maranda and Jean Leclerc.

Tags: West African States

1,000 francs (US$2.05), (20)11. Like P315, but new date and signatures (Tiemoko Yadé Dominique Coulibaly and José Mario Vaz).

2,000 francs (US$4.10), (20)11. Like P316, but new date and signatures (Tiemoko Yadé Dominique Coulibaly and José Mario Vaz).

Courtesy of Richard Maranda and Jean Leclerc.

Tags: West African States

100 pesos (US$2.35), 2012. Like P194, but new date.

Courtesy of Andy Siegman.

Tags: Philippines

The Bangladesh chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 27-page catalog covers notes issued by the People's Republic of Bangladesh in 1971, the Government of Bangladesh from 1972 to present, and the Bangladesh Bank from 1972 to present. Revised 12 July 2016.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list.

Tags: Bangladesh

According to a press release dated 12 March 2012, the National Bank of Belarus has issued a new 200,000-ruble (US$24.15) note. This denomination is twice as large as the previous biggest note in Belarus.

The new 200,000-ruble note is predominently green and measures 150 x 74 mm. The front depicts the Mogilev Regional Art Museum, and the back illustrates a decorative collage of architectural elements of the museum building. The note has a windowed security thread with demetalized text, and a watermark of fragments of the stucco ceiling of the museum with electrotype bank initials. Furthermore, there is a color latent image.

The bank has also proposed withdrawing 10- and 20-ruble notes, and rounding prices to the nearest 50 ruble. Also, it has not ruled out issuing even larger denominations if needed. In an article in the Telegraf dated 13 March 2012, deputy head of the National Bank Vladimir Senko said there's no need to revalue the currency at this time.



Courtesy of Thomas Krause and Богданов Иван/Ivan Bogdanov (http://bonistics.org/banknote/100685/).

Tags: Belarus

50 lari (US$30), 2011. Like NBG B51 (P73), but new date and signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Dmitri Gvindadze).

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Tags: Georgia

Like B585b, but new date (2012).

Courtesy of Szilard Szemere.

Tags: Hungary

5 dinars (US$4.05), no date. Like P72, but serial number prefix 7A, new signature (presumably Al-Seddiq Omar al-Kabir, but possibly Gasem Azzoz, and in any event, slightly different than that on the 10-dinar note dated 17-2-2011), English text replaces Arabic text on back, the removal of the reference to the Gadaffi era “Jamahiriya” from the front and upper right back, and Gadaffi-era falcon crest is removed from the monument to the Battle of Al-Hani.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and Claudio Marana.

Tags: Libya

According to an article in The Namibian dated 22 March 2012, the decision of the Bank of Namibia to replace the portrait of anti-colonialist Chief Hendrik Witbooi with that of founding President Sam Nujoma on the new 10- and 20-dollar (US$1.30 and 2.60, respectively) notes has stirred up a bit of controversy. These notes, along with other denominations which retain Witbooi's portrait, were unveiled on 21 March, but won't be issued until May.

Further details about security features on these notes can be found here.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause, Marcus Jansson, and Claudio Marana.

Tags: Namibia

According to an article in The Post Online dated 23 January 2012, the government of Zambia has agreed to Bank of Zambia plans to revalue the currency by removing three zeros from all denominations of the kwacha. Currently the largest denomination banknote is 50,000 kwacha (US$9.75), which will become 50 kwacha under the revaluation plan.

No details yet on when new notes will be issued, or if old notes will be overprinted as a provisional measure.

However, according to two documents (Tender For Procurement of New Rebased Zambian Currency - Paper Banknotes and Tender For Procurement of Paper Banknotes - K2 and K100), the Bank of Zambia is seeking bids from the following shortlist of security printers:

• De La Rue Currency, United Kingdom
• Giesecke & Devrient, Germany
• Orell Fussli Security Printing Limited, Switzerland
• Francois Charles Aberthur [sic] Fuduciaire, France
• South African Bank Note Company (Pty) Limited, South Africa
• Goznak, Russia

Two of the terms of the contact that are interesting to collectors are that "the printer’s name [imprint] shall appear on the banknotes" and that "the supplier shall provide 500 specimen notes, free of charge, of each denomination." The contract also breaks down the number of notes required for each denomination (2, 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 kwacha) over a three-year period. It's unclear if the notes will be issued 2012-2014, or simply dated as such.

Also of interest are the technical specifications which detail the overall designs and security features of the notes, and which specify that the notes are to be printed on "cotton based substrate" of the printer's chosing, not polymer.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Tags: Zambia

20 dollars (US$20), 2010. Like P103 (“ISSUE OF 2004”) but new “PRINTED IN” date of 2010 at lower center on back and new signatures (W.P. Jenkins and M.J. Carney).

Tags: Canada

100 гривень (hryven), 2011. Like B851a, but new date and new signature (Serhii Arbuzov). Intro: 01.03.2012.

Courtesy of Dmitry Zagorenko (http://bonistica.ru).

Tags: Ukraine

20 гривень (hryven), 2011. Like B849b, but new date and new signature (Serhii Arbuzov). Intro: 01.03.2012.

Courtesy of Dmitry Zagorenko (http://bonistica.ru).

Tags: Ukraine

According to an article in The Daily Star dated 27 February 2012, Bangladesh Bank planned to introduce new banknotes denominated in 10, 20, and 50 taka on 7 March. The notes bear the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and a photograph of the National Mausoleumon on the front, and be signed by Governor Atiur Rahman.



BB B49 (PNL): 10 taka (US$0.10)
Purple. Front: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; National Martyr’s Monument in Savar. Back: Baitul Mukarram (The Holy House) national mosque in Dhaka; bank logo. Windowed security thread with demetalized coat of arms and Bengali denomination. Watermark: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on pixelated background and electrotype bank logo and 10. Printer: Unknown. 122 x 60 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 10b. Intro: 07.03.2012.
as. Diagonal red hollow SPECIMEN stamp; diagonal purple Bengali stamp.



BB B50 (PNL): 20 taka (US$0.25)
Green. Front: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; National Martyr’s Monument in Savar. Back: Shaat Gambuj Masjid (Sixty Dome Mosque) in Bagerhat; bank logo. Windowed security thread with demetalized coat of arms and Bengali denomination. Watermark: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on pixelated background and electrotype bank logo and 20. Printer: Unknown. 127 x 60 mm.
a. 2012. Signature 10b. Intro: 07.03.2012.
as. Diagonal red hollow SPECIMEN stamp.



BB B51 (PNL): 50 taka (US$0.05)
Red and brown. Front: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; National Martyr’s Monument in Savar. Back: Shilpacharya Jainul Abedin’s painting “Ploughing;” bank logo. Windowed security thread with demetalized coat of arms and Bengali denomination. Watermark: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on pixelated background and electrotype bank logo and 5. Printer: Unknown. 117 x 60 mm.
a. 2011. Signature 10b. Intro: 07.03.2012.
as. Diagonal red hollow SPECIMEN stamp.

Courtesy of Md. Robiul Islam (www.robiscollection.blogspot.com).

Tags: Bangladesh

The Czech Republic chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 8-page catalog covers notes issued by the Česká Národní Banka (Czech National Bank) from 1993 to present. Revised 29 April 2015.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:

• Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
• Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
• Specific identification of all vignette elements
• Security features described in full
• Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
• Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
• Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
• Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
• Date reproduced exactly as on note
• Precise date of introduction noted when known
• Replacement note information
• Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
• Background information for historical and cultural context
• Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
• Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.


Sign up for Email Notifications
If you would like to receive email notifications whenever a new chapter of The Banknote Book is published, please join the email list.

Tags: Czech Republic

In 2011, Northern Bank in Belfast introduced a new 20-pound (US$31) note that is like P207, but new date (15th April 2009), new signature, new gold foil, Cornerstone watermarks, and slightly redesigned front and back to accommodate the new bank logo.

Courtesy of Marian Klubert and Claudio Marana.

Tags: Northern Ireland

Coins and Banknotes of Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia
Zlatko Viščević, 1173 pages, soft cover, 192 x 120 mm, black and white illustrations, Croatian and English, ISBN 978-953-56890-0-3, US$52 / €40 plus shipping, www.hrvatskanumizmatika.net

Download the free sample chapter: Coins and Banknotes of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

Reviewed by Owen W. Linzmayer 7962

As author Zlatko Viščević mentions in the introduction to his impressive new catalog, collecting banknotes from the area of the former Yugoslavia can be quite challenging due to the large number of notes issued over the years. Compounding the problem is the Serbo-Croatian text on these notes and the complicated history of the region, both of which may be unfamiliar to many collectors. This new catalog doesn’t attempt to explain the tumultuous politics of the past three centuries, but is an invaluable addition to the reference library of anyone who specializes in collecting notes from this part of the world.

The first edition of this catalog was published in 2007. The second edition covers regular and commemorative notes issued in the intervening years, goes into greater depth in the descriptions, and now also includes special, fantasy, and private issues. In short, if you already own the first edition and like it, you’ll definitely want to buy the much-improved and expanded second edition.

Coins and Banknotes’ title spells out exactly what’s inside. The first half of the book is devoted to coins, the second half to notes, with chapters for the seven countries in each section. Within the chapters, the coins and notes are listed chronologically by denomination, which makes it easy to locate a particular piece and track changes over time, but at the expense of presenting complete families with common or complementary designs.

Each note type listing contains the denomination, catalog number, cross-references to Pick numbers and other specialized catalogs, reduced-size illustrations of the front and back, description of design elements and security features, and finally a list of varieties, with checkboxes for tracking your collection. Each variety is assigned a six-level rarity rating, and has values in euros for up to four levels of condition. Some notes also have auction results at the bottom of the page, though the values and results don’t always agree. Occasionally there are inset illustrations of details which determine varieties. These are useful in most cases, but sometimes the differences aren’t obvious due to the small size or lack of color in their reproduction.

Specialized collectors will appreciate the comprehensive lists of prefixes, as well as the inclusion of specimen and replacement notes in the variety tables, not to mention the assortment of “irregular issues” (color trials, partial proofs, etc.) and private/fantasy notes covered separately. While there isn’t much explanatory text regarding these issues, anyone interested in pursuing further research can consult the bibliography of source books and web sites at the end of each chapter.

The longer passages of prose in the catalog are presented in both Croatian and English, but the descriptions of the notes and their varieties are in Croatian only, which is a little frustrating if you care about such details and don’t want to rely upon Google Translate. Fortunately the English text everywhere else in the book is good enough that it’s easy to overlook the minor typos and understand the gist of the intended meaning.

One complaint I have about the catalog is its size. This is a bulky, compact tome measuring a whopping 55 millimeters thick, and heavy enough to break a toe if dropped on a foot. I would have preferred the coin and banknote sections split into two separate volumes, both printed in a larger format. As it is, the small black and white illustrations don’t do justice to the beauty of the notes, and the tiny text is hard to read if your eyesight isn’t perfect.

With this second edition, Zlatko Viščević has created a solid reference for collectors of notes of Yugoslavia and its constituent republics from 1849 to 2011. Coins and Banknotes delivers a dense helping of numismatic information at price that can’t be beat.

Tags: Yugoslavia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia

According to an interview in AllAfrica dated 14 March 2012, the Bank of Namibia is set to unveil a new series of banknotes on 21 March 2012 and issue them in May. Ndangi Katoma, the bank's director of strategic communication, discusses the history of Namibia's banknotes and the decision to change the portraits as well as improve security features.

Tags: Namibia

According to an article on Nyasa Times dated 9 March 2012, within the next six months the Reserve Bank of Malawi will introduce a whole new series of notes, including a 1,000-kwacha (US$6) note, twice the largest denomination currently in circulation. The notes were announced in Biantyre on 8 March by Governor Dr. Perks Ligoya. An article in the Sunday Times dated 11 March 2012 indicates that the new notes will be issued in July, and will consist of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 kwacha denominations. It may be that the report is in error, as it hardly seems economically feasible to print notes smaller than 20 kwacha (US$0.12).

The new notes will be much smaller in size than the current notes, which serves as a cost-cutting measure. The new 1,000-kwacha note is to be printed by De La Rue. Nyasa Times reported recently leaked image of the note showing a portrait of current president, Bingu wa Mutharika, but that image is a hoax created from a Federal Republic of Germany DB B31 (P46) 100 deutsche Mark note.



Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Tags: Malawi

According to an article in SomaliaReport dated 9 March 2012, Farah Ali Shire, minister for finance for Somalia's semi-autonomous region of Puntland, announced that they will print new and various denominations of hte Somali shilling to replace the current single 1,000-shilling note.

The new notes will be used in Puntland and areas under the control of the government in southern Somalia. The new notes—printed in Sudan—will be denominated in 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 shillings. No date was given for the introduction of the new notes, but they are expected to be ready "soon."

Courtesy of Richard Miranda.

Tags: Somalia

According to an article in People's Daily Online dated 12 March 2012, Hu Xiaolian, deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, said that the central bank is not planning to issue larger denomination banknotes in the short term.

"We have noticed public complaints of inconvenience in bigger transactions...but we should consider all the pros and cons of the issue," said Hu at a press conference on the sidelines of the country's annual parliamentary session.

Tags: China