Mauritania

Mauritania new 5,000-ouguiya numismatic product confirmed


Like B125, but with Arabic and French overprints front/back. Prefix 40BCM. 1,000 notes packaged in folders and introduced 30 May 2013.

Courtesy of Jean-Michel Engels.

Mauritania new 1,000-ouguiya note (B130) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_1000_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B130a_PNL_E_1124141_AA_fMauritania_BCM_1000_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B130a_PNL_E_1124141_AA_r

Courtesy of Olin Yap,

Mauritania new 50- to 500-ouguiya notes (B126-B129) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_50_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B126a_PNL_A_0773914_AB_f
Mauritania_BCM_50_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B126a_PNL_A_0773914_AB_r

Mauritania_BCM_100_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B127a_PNL_B_7708181_AA_f
Mauritania_BCM_100_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B127a_PNL_B_7708181_AA_r

Mauritania_BCM_200_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B128a_PNL_C_5506991_AA_f
Mauritania_BCM_200_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B128a_PNL_C_5506991_AA_r

Mauritania_BCM_500_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B129a_PNL_D_3001422_AA_f
Mauritania_BCM_500_ouguiya_2017.11.28_B129a_PNL_D_3001422_AA_r

Courtesy of Numisnota.

Mauritania new polymer note family (B126-B130) scheduled for introduction 01.01.2018

According to an article in The Star dated 8 March 2012 and an article in the Daily Nation dated 7 March 2012, the Central Bank of Kenya “hereby invites individuals, institutions, institutions, organizations and professional bodies to present in writing, proposals on elements/features to be considered for incorporation in the design of the proposed new Kenyan currency banknotes and coins.” Per Article 231(4) of the constitution, the new notes may not bear the portrait of any individual. All notes in Kenya currently feature a portrait of former president Jomo Kenyatta.

The issuance of new notes is at least two years away, and even after their introduction, existing notes will likely circulate in parallel until they wear out. The bank has not ruled out changes to the colors or sizes of the new notes, and has said that “dominant Kenyan physical features, flora and fauna and key economic activities such as agriculture, tourism and manufacturing, are expected to replace these presidential portraits.”

Courtesy of Thomas Krause.

Mauritania reportedly introducing new banknotes 01.01.2018

According to an article dated 28 November 2017 in El Confidencial, the Banque Centrale de Mauritanie intends to introduce new notes on 1 January 2018. It is unclear if the bank will revalue the ouguiya currency unit, or simply issue notes in excess of 5,000 ouguiya, the largest denomination at present.

French West Africa chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The French West Africa 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 Banque de l’Afrique Occidentale (Bank of West Africa) from 1902 to 1945, Afrique Occidentale Française (French West Africa) in 1944, and Institut d’Emission de l’A.O.F. et du Togo (Issuing Institute of French West Africa and Togo) from 1955 to 1957. Published 19 August 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.

Subscribe
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.

Sign up

Mauritania new sig/date (28.11.2015) 100-ouguiya note (B121b) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_100_ouguiya_2015.11.28_B121b_P16_AC_0876780_A_fMauritania_BCM_100_ouguiya_2015.11.28_B121b_P16_AC_0876780_A_r
Like B121a, but new signatures and new date (28.11.2015). Prefix AC.

Courtesy of Fernando Iglesias.

West African States chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The West African States 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 Banque Centrale des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Central Bank of the West African States) from 1959 to present. Published 28 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
  • 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.

Subscribe
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.

Sign up

Mauritania new 200-ouguiya note (B121) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_200_ouguiya_2013.11.28_B24a_PNL_BA_0434481_A_f
Mauritania_BCM_200_ouguiya_2013.11.28_B24a_PNL_BA_0434481_A_r
According to a press release, persuant to Décret Nº 237-2014 the Central Bank of Mauritania has issued a new 200-ouguiya banknote. The design is based upon the preceding note (B115), but is reduced in size to 134 x 65 mm. Both notes will circulate in parallel.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana and Thomas Augustsson.

Mauritania new 1,000-ouguiya note (B123) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_1000_ouguiya_2014.11.28_B25a_PNL_DA_1271188_A_fMauritania_BCM_1000_ouguiya_2014.11.28_B25a_PNL_DA_1271188_A_r
According to an Innovia Security press release dated 4 December 2014, persuant to Décret Nº 2136-2014 the Central Bank of Mauritania has issued a new 1,000-ouguiya banknote printed on Innovia's Guardian polymer substrate. The design is based upon the preceding paper note (B117), but is reduced in size to 140 x 70 mm. Both notes will circulate in parallel.

Courtesy of Alex Zlotin and Thomas Augustsson.

Mauritania new 500-ouguiya note (B122) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_500_ouguiya_2013.11.28_B23a_PNL_CA_1234567_A_f
Mauritania_BCM_500_ouguiya_2013.11.28_B23a_PNL_CA_1234567_A_r
According to a French-language decree 145-2014 dated 2 June 2014, the Banque Central de Mauritanie introduced a new 500-ouguiya note like B116, but dated 28.11.2013, without the holographic patch at right front, reduced in size to 138 x 65 mm, with electrotype 500 added to the watermark, a windowed security thread, iridescent PEAK (Printed Embossed Anticopy Key) of SCM/500, and LOOK (Laser Originated Optical Key) on three digits of the serial number.

Courtesy of Claudio Marana, Manuel Fernando Iglesias, and Thomas Augustsson.

Mauritania new 5,000-ouguiya note (B122) dated 28.11.2011 confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_5000_O_2011.11.28_B22a_PNL_FB_0143934_A_fMauritania_BCM_5000_O_2011.11.28_B22a_PNL_FB_0143934_A_r
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.

Mauritania new 100-ouguiya note (B120) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_100_ouguiya_2011.11.28_B120a_P16_AA_0905077_A_fMauritania_BCM_100_ouguiya_2011.11.28_B120a_P16_AA_0905077_A_r
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.

Mauritania new 2,000-ouguiya note (B124) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_2000_ouguiya_2011.11.28_B124a_P20_AA_0426722_A_fMauritania_BCM_2000_ouguiya_2011.11.28_B124a_P20_AA_0426722_A_r
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.

Mauritania chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The Mauritania 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 Banque Centrale de Mauritanie (Central Bank of Mauritania) from 1973 to present. Revised 8 December 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.

Subscribe
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.

Sign up

The Challenge: Identify man in watermark on Mauritania's notes

Today’s challenge is to identify the following man whose face appears as the watermark on all of Mauritania’s notes since 1974.

If you can precisely identify the name of this man—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.

This man’s face appears as the watermark on all of Mauritania’s notes since 1974, and is shown here from an unissued specimen design of 1981:

Mauritania new sig/date (28.11.2008) 100-ouguiya note (B114c) confirmed


100 ouguiya (US$0.35), 28.11.2008. Like B114b, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Jean-Michel Engels.

Mauritania new 5,000-ouguiya note (B119) confirmed

Mauritania_BCM_5000_ouguiya_2009.11.28_B119a_P15_FA_1186962_A_fMauritania_BCM_5000_ouguiya_2009.11.28_B119a_P15_FA_1186962_A_r
5,000 ouguiya (US$17.35)
Olive and ochre. Front: The Great Mosque Ibn Abbas in Nouakchott. 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. 28.11.2009. Signature 11. Intro: 08.08.2010.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Mauritania unissued 100-ouguiya note (B108s) confirmed


This note dated 28.11.1975 is a recently-discovered unissued 100-ouguiya specimen, printed by TDLR without imprint, but this specimen bears the TDLR oval overprints in opposing corners on front and back.

Courtesy of Jean-Michel Engels.

Mauritania unissued 1,000-ouguiya note (B111s) confirmed

The following note dated 28.11.1981 is a recently-discovered unissued 1,000-ouguiya specimen, apparently printed by G&D without imprint. Taking into consideration that the new SCWPM lists another unissued specimen dated 1977-6-26 by TDLR (Pick 3A), it appears plausible that Banque Centrale de Mauritanie had put out a tender for security printers to propose new designs to replace the 1974 series of notes. Neither of these specimens were approved, and the old series continued in use with date and signature changes through 2002.

Anyone with additional information about either of these specimens is encouraged to share same. I’m particularly interested in identifying the bearded man in the portrait of this note; it’s the same image used as the watermark for all notes except the original 1973 series. Also, can anyone translate the signature titles magnified below?





Courtesy of Weldon D. "Burt" Burson.