Somalia

Somalia new sig. 50-shilling note (B309g) confirmed

Somalia_CBS_50_shillings_1989.00.00_B309g_P34d_D190_042146_f
Like B309f, but new signatures (Omar Ahmed Omar and Hassan Elmi Barkhadle). Series D190.

Courtesy of Thomas Neldner.

Somalia new sig/date (1989) 100-shilling note (B310g) confirmed

Somalia_CBS_100_shillings_1989.00.00_B310f_P35d_D236_259267_fSomalia_CBS_100_shillings_1989.00.00_B310f_P35d_D243_198870_f
The top note is B310f, dated 1989 with signature 5, confirmed with series D171 - D236. The bottom note B310g is also dated 1989, but has earlier signature 4, and series D242 - D248. If anyone has other examples of this note dated 1989 with signature 4, please send scans so the series ranges can be determined.

Somalia reportedly to issue new official notes in early 2017

According to a Bloomberg article dated 27 May 2016, Somalia plans to print new official banknotes that will circulate in parallel with US dollars by early 2017. The International Monetary Fund is helping Somalia print and circulate the currency, said Bashir Issa Ali, governor of Somalia’s central bank. Most Somali shillings currently in circulation were printed by warlords, not the federal government in Mogadishu.

Somalia's Puntland region plans to introduce six new banknotes soon

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.

Somalia chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


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

This 14-page catalog covers notes issued by the National Bank of Somalia from 1962 until 1971; the Somali National Bank in 1975; and the Bankiga Dhexe ee Soomaaliya (Central Bank of Somalia) from 1977 to present. Revised 5 January 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

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Somaliland burns Somali shillings as part of currency switch

There’s an interesting article on Somalilandpress dated 28 May 2011 which discusses Somaliland’s efforts to replace Somali banknotes in its region.

Courtesy of Richard Miranda.

Somalia new notes reported

According to a Garoweoneline article dated 16 May 2010, a private jet is said to have delivered to Mogadishu a total of 22 million worth of Somali shilling notes, supposedly printed in Malaysia. The central bank had previously announced plans to have Sudan print new notes at a cost of $17 million.

Sudan pledges to help Somalia print banknotes

On 3 May 2009, the Sudanese News Agency reported that Sudan’s government said it would print new currency for the Somali government. The finance minister of the Somali government, Sharif Hassan Sheik Adan, met in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum on April 29, to talk with Sudan’s minister for finance, Dr. Awad Ahmed Jazmet, who said that Sudan will help Somalia with the development of financial constitutions and would renew trade relations between the two countries. Currently the only banknote circulating in Somalia is the 1,000-shiling note (Pick 37; face value of US$0.70), which has been reprinted without authorization by Somali businessmen. No word yet on when new notes would enter circulation, nor what denominations would be printed.

Somalia to issue new banknotes

According to a Reuters report dated 29 March 2008, Somalia’s central bank plans to revamp the country’s currency because of a flood of fake notes printed by warlords and businessmen. Addressing donors meeting in neighbouring Kenya, the bank’s director general, Sharif Mohamed Hassan, said “greedy” individuals had pumped counterfeit cash into the market for years, driving the local unit to its lowest ever level. “The present situation of counterfeit money is catastrophic,” he said. “It’s a priority to provide the market with a stock of new banknotes with good security features. Of course this is not easy, as the fake notes are printed in many areas that are not properly controlled.” He said Somalia’s new notes would be produced by a “world renowned” money printer, but did not give a timetable.

Somalia new variety of 1,000-shilling note confirmed


A new variety of Somalia’s 1,000 shilling-note dated 1996 has been reported (above, top). This new notes differs from the previously reported Pick 37a (above, bottom) and 37b in that it uses different font for the serial numbers.

Furthermore, please note the most recent Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Volume III, 12th edition fails to mention that the left-hand signature of the bank chairman on Pick 37a (1990) differs from that on Pick 37b (1996).

For a detailed examination of all the signature varieties and different fonts used on Somali currency, visit Peter Symes’ excellent Reference Site for Islamic Banknotes.

Courtesy of Jose Manuel Peso (IBNS member 8180).