Myanmar

Myanmar reportedly to introduce 5,000- and 10,000-kyat notes with enhanced security

According to an article in Myanmar Business Today dated 13 June 2017, the Central Bank of Myanmar plans to introduce new 5,000- and 10,000-kyat notes like the current issues (B117 and B118, respectively), but with enhanced security features to combat counterfeiting. The new notes have new watermarks, serial numbers, and security threads. No word yet on the timing of the introduction.

Myanmar new 10,000-kyat note (B118) confirmed

According to an article on ZeeNews.com dated 1 July 2015, the Central Bank of Myanmar has introduced a new type of 10,000-kyat note with upgraded security features "to further enhance the note quality and prevent forgery." This note is like the preceding issues (B116), but with the denomination at lower right front expressed in Burmese numerals printed with SPARK, a new watermark, and a protective layer of vanish on both sides to extend the circulation life of the note.

Myanmar_CBM_10000_kyats_2015.07.01_B118a_PNL_BO_8277796_f
Myanmar_CBM_10000_kyats_2015.07.01_B118a_PNL_BO_8277796_r
B118 (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. Magenta-to-gold 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: 01.07.2015.

Courtesy of Bill Stubkjaer.

Myanmar enhanced security 10,000-kyat note reported for 01.07.2015

Myanmar_CBM_10000_kyats_2015.07.01_B18as_P82s_AA_0000000_f
Myanmar_CBM_10000_kyats_2015.07.01_B18as_P82s_AA_0000000_r
According to several news articles, on 1 July 2015 the Central Bank of Myanmar will introduce a revised 10,000-kyat note which is like CBM B16, but with the denomination at lower right front expressed in Burmese numerals printed with SPARK, a new watermark, and a protective layer of vanish on both sides to extend the circulation life of the note.

Myanmar new 5,000-kyat note confirmed

According to an article on China.org.cn dated 19 September 2014, the Central Bank of Myanmar will issue a 5,000-kyat banknote with a new design and improved security features on 1 October 2014. Existing 5,000-kyat notes (CBM B15) remain legal tender.

Myanmar_CBM_5000_kyats_2014.10.01_B17a_PNL_GN_7044840fMyanmar_CBM_5000_kyats_2014.10.01_B17a_PNL_GN_7044840r
CBM B17 (PNL): 5,000 kyats
Purple. Front: Elephant. Back: Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (Assembly of the Union) legislature buildings in Zeya Theddhi Ward of Naypyidaw. Color-changing windowed security thread with demetalized Spw MYANMAR CBm. Watermark: Elephant and electrotype 5000. Printer: SECURITY PRINTING WAZI CBM. 150 x 70 mm.
a. No date. Prefix GN. Intro: 01.10.2014.

Courtesy of Cleo Phas and Nin Cheun (Noteshobby).

Burma chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


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

This 25-page catalog covers notes issued by the Government of India in 1937, the Reserve Bank of India from 1938 to 1939, the Japanese Government from 1942 to 1945, the Burma State Bank from 1944 to 1945, the Military Administration of Burma from 1943 to 1945, the Burma Currency Board in 1947, the Government of Burma from 1948 to 1950, the Union Bank of Burma from 1953 to 1958, the Peoples Bank of Burma in 1965, and the Union of Burma Bank from 1972 to 1987. Revised 9 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

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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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Myanmar to issue new notes honoring General Aung San and other leaders

According to various press reports dated 14 November 2013, the Central Bank of Myanmar will issue banknotes bearing the image of the country's late national hero—General Aung San—who is the father of Myanmar armed forces. The general's portrait last appeared on the 35-kyat note issued in 1986 (P63) when the country was known as Burma.

Daw Khin Saw Oo, vice governor of the Central Bank of Myanmar , made the disclosure in the parliament in reply to a proposal urging the government to circulate the country's bank notes bearing the image of General Aung San, reported Xinhua. "The central bank will issue bank notes bearing the images of country's prominent leaders, buildings, landscapes and emblems with the permission of the union government," she said.

No word yet on when the new notes will be issued.

Myanmar to abolish foreign exchange certificates in 2013

Myanmar_CBM_1_K_1993.02.04_PFX1_f
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.

Myanmar new 10,000-kyat note confirmed

Myanmar_10000_K_2012.00.00_B16a_PNLs_AC_4329212_fMyanmar_10000_K_2012.00.00_B16a_PNLs_AC_4329212_r
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).

Myanmar chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


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

This 5-page catalog covers every note (26 types and varieties, including 7 notes unlisted in the SCWPM) issued by the Central Bank of Myanmar from 1990 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.

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.

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Myanmar new 5,000-kyat note confirmed


On 1 October 2009, Myanmar issued a 5,000-kyat banknote, the largest denomination in the Asian country formerly known as Burma. The undated, unsigned 150 x 70 mm purple note features an elephant on front and buildings on back.

Courtesy of Jean-Michel Engels.

Myanmar to allow exchanging of worn notes

According to a 27 July 2009 article in The New Light of Myanmar, the official English-language newspaper of the Asian country formerly known as Burma, old banknotes “can be exchanged for new ones provided that the note is in specified condition at notes changing counter of Central Bank of Myanmar at No (198/ 199) at the corner of Bo Sun Pak Street and Strand Road and respective branches of Myanma Economic Bank. Arrangements have been made for exchange of old notes for new ones, ranging from K 10 to K 200 notes.”

This is a rather curious announcement as most central banks cull worn notes from circulation as a matter of course. It does not appear that Myanmar is introducing new designs, even though its note family is overdue for a change; Interpol recommends central banks modify security features every seven years or so. The last time Myanmar changed its notes was in 2004, when the 500- and 1,000-kyat notes were reduced in size. All other denominations have remained unchanged since the mid-1990s.