The Banknote Book Samples

T HE
B A NK NOT E BOOK :
Samples
Detailed Information
Color Images
Accurate Valuations OWEN W. LINZMAYER
Licensed to: adnan ?im?ek - adnansimsek0@gmail.com

Organization
Introduction Country Names
T
hank you for your interest in The Banknote Book, a new In general, notes are grouped into chapters by country of origin.
catalog of world notes currently being compiled and released If a country changes it name over time (such as Burma becoming
as individual country chapters are completed. Myanmar, or Ceylon becoming Sri Lanka), its notes may be found
Collectors familiar with Krause’s Standard Catalog of World in different chapters (cross-references are provided as necessary
Paper Money know only too well the many problems afflicting that at the beginning and end of each chapter), and the numbering
publication, including typos, erroneous listings, missing varieties, of notes is reset with the name change of the country and/or
poor images, inaccurate valuations, and gross inconsistencies, all of issuing authority. The grouping of notes in this fashion should
which have gone uncorrected edition after edition. The Banknote not be considered an endorsement of the politics of the country
Book addresses these issues by starting from scratch with a fresh undergoing the name change. Instead it is a practical matter of
approach, unencumbered by legacy data of questionable validity. making it easy for collectors to locate notes in the catalog by looking
The Banknote Book strives to publish detailed information, full- in the chapter that bears the same country name as appears on the
color images, and accurate valuations of every note ever officially note.
issued by a given country (including some unissued notes, too). Some chapters are devoted to break-away “countries” that
The images are crisp, clear, and in color. In contrast to the bare- have failed to gain widespread international recognition (such as
bones data presented in the SCWPM, listings in The Banknote Book Abkhazia and Somaliland). Again, the inclusion of such entities in
include all of the information of interest to the novice and serious this catalog should not be considered an endorsement. These notes
collector alike. are included only in the interest of being comprehensive in the
You’ll find links to the issuing authorities’ web sites and coverage of notes commonly available in the collector market.
bibliographies if you wish to do additional research. If an issuing
authority sells banknotes directly to the public, that fact is also Issuing Authorities
mentioned. Furthermore, the introductory text and notations For most countries, only one nationally recognized official
throughout provide background information that puts the notes in authority issues notes at a given time, although the name may
context, helping you further enjoy and appreciate your collection. change over time as the organization transitions from a currency
The Banknote Book is presumed accurate, although it is a work board to a central bank, for instance. Notes are grouped by
in progress. Corrections will be made if errors are brought to our authority, and assigned numbers which are unique for the country
attention (you can view the Revisions on www.BanknoteBook.com). in question, but are not intended to be unique across countries.
Furthermore, you are encouraged to submit information (along with
300-dpi color scans of front and back at 100% actual size) about Presentation Order
new issues and unlisted varieties. Any verifiable new information For the most part, notes are grouped into families (series)
contributed will be published almost immediately in a new revision. with similar design attributes, and the families are presented in
Finally, we encourage you to share suggestions on how to improve their overall chronological order of introduction, with individual
The Banknote Book. notes appearing in ascending order of denomination, which does
More than 285 chapters have been completed and we are not necessarily correspond to their order of introduction. While
diligently working on the remaining countries in the world. As some countries issue entire families at once, others spread out the
you can imagine, this is an enormous task which we are unable introduction of different denominations over many years. This may
to complete without the help of dedicated and knowledgeable result in listings presented out of numerical order in an effort to
collectors the world over. If you know of other collectors or dealers create a more pleasing presentation in denomination order without
who may want to participate in this project, please spread the word, resorting to renumbering of notes. Finally, some countries issue
but do not distribute copies of the copyrighted chapters. Thank you notes that don’t fit into any family. These are typically presented as
for your support! stand-alone issues in chronological order rather than shoe-horned
into inappropriate families.
Owen W. Linzmayer
Owen@BanknoteNews.com
www.BanknoteBook.com
www.banknotebook.com © 23 March 2020 1

Numbering System Proof Notes
A proof banknote is one that is printed to test the printing plates
The numbering system employed in The Banknote Book is to see if it is suitable for full production. Proof notes often lack one
similar to the Pick system (named after editor Albert Pick) used by or more elements typically found on issued notes, such as serial
the SCWPM, but with several improvements. Most importantly, numbers, dates, or signatures. Proofs may also have overprints and/
once a number is assigned, it will never be changed capriciously, so or perforations, so care should be taken not to confuse them as
you needn’t worry about dealers referring to notes using outdated specimens. Proofs are distinguished by substrates which differ from
numbers, nor waste your time looking for changes in subsequent specimens and issued notes. Due to the endless number of partial or
editions to keep your own collection or inventory up to date. progressive proofs which may exist wherein one or more printings
As mentioned in the preceding Presentation Order section, some are omitted, they are not covered.
countries spread out the introduction of different denominations Proofs are indicated by appending the letter p to the
over many years, and don’t necessarily issue new notes from smallest corresponding variety letter. Sometimes there are more than
to largest denomination. Krause’s approach to this scenario has one type of proof for a given variety. In these cases, a number is
been to renumber notes as new members of the family are issued. appended to the letter p.
The approach taken in The Banknote Book is to assign the next
contiguous number as new notes are introduced, but present Specimen Notes
some listings out of numerical order in an effort to create a more Specimens are notes produced by the security printer as examples
pleasing presentation in denomination order without resorting to of the final product. They are typically printed in relatively
renumbering of notes. small numbers and distributed to financial institutions and law
For the convenience of collectors, The Banknote Book numbers enforcement agencies to familiarize them with the notes, although
are cross-referenced to the corresponding Pick numbers that were some issuers do sell specimens directly to collectors. Specimens are
assigned at the time of publication (see the Sources section at the identical to issued notes, though to prevent them from being used
end of each chapter to determine the SCWPM edition), but no as legal tender, they are commonly overprinted, perforated, and/or
attempt is made to keep up with any changes Krause may make in punched. Whenever a specimen has been confirmed, it is described
subsequent editions. Furthermore, each variety has its own checkbox in detail.
which you can use to track notes you want to buy (slash) or which Specimens are indicated by appending the letter s to the
you already own (check). corresponding variety letter. Sometimes there are more than one
type of specimen for a given variety. In these cases, a number is
appended to the letter s.
Type Numbers
Whole numbers are assigned to major note types, which are

given lower-case variety letters to distinguish between dates,
signatures, imprints, and other minor variations. In those rare
cases where a new type discovery requires inserting a note’s listing
between two older listings, the new note is assigned a number with a
decimal between the two listings. Krause’s approach to this scenario
is to append upper-case letters to Pick numbers, but since most
inventory management systems aren’t case-sensitive, this prevents
proper sorting and can lead to confusion with lower-case variety
letters.
This note has many of the hallmarks of a specimen, including the diagonal red SPECIMEN
overprint at center, the red oval overprints bearing the name of the printer (De La Rue), the
Variety Letters punched signature, the all-zero s/n, and the specimen number at lower left.
The letter a is assigned to the first variety of every type, with

additional varieties assigned in alphabetical order as needed. Unlike Color Trial Notes
the SCWPM, which often groups several dates or signatures into Color trials are similar to proof notes, but are of a color different
a single variety, The Banknote Book breaks these out into their than that of the actual issued note. Color trials are indicated by
own variety listings, except for a few instances where doing so is appending the letter t to the corresponding variety letter, followed
impractical because of the large number of varieties, or the list by a description of the overall color(s) of the note. Color trials may
of confirmed varieties is likely to be incomplete. Whenever the also have overprints and/or perforations, so care should be taken not
numbering standard deviates from the norm, a notation to that to confuse them as specimens.
effect can be found in the chapter.
The following kinds of notes are worthy of special recognition, Remainder Notes
hence they are assigned their own variety letters. A remainder is a banknote that has been prepared for issue,
but not issued for one reason or another, such as the failure of the
issuer, the merger of one issuer into another, or a change in political
leadership of a country. Remainders usually lack some attribute
found on issued notes, such as serial numbers, dates, or signatures.
Remainders are indicated by the variety letter r.
2 www.banknotebook.com © 23 March 2020
Replacement Notes
Replacement notes are those produced by the security printer
to replace defective notes discovered during the printing process.
Not all countries use replacement notes, and there is no standard
for distinguishing between a replacement note and a regular
note, although special serial number prefixes or suffixes are most
common. Where replacement notes are known to exist, information
on how to distinguish them is included at the end of a note’s listing.
This catalog does not list replacements notes as separate varieties.
Values are not given for replacement notes, though they typically
command a premium.
How to reference The Banknote Book numbers
Collectors, dealers, auction houses, grading services, and

numismatic authors are encouraged to use The Banknote Book
numbers whenever possible, but please adhere to these style
guidelines to ensure standardization.
B227 (P29): 200 naira (US$0.65) VG VF UNC
Brown, orange, and green. Front: English and Hausa text; Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, the
• The Banknote Book title should be spelled out in full upon first Sarduana of Sokoto and the first Premier of Northern Nigeria. Back: English text; two
usage, but thereafter can be abbreviated TBB (not BNB). cattle; sacks of groundnuts; cocoa pods; date palms; corn; coat of arms. Windowed
• The country name should be spelled exactly as it appears on the security thread with demetalized CBN. Watermark: Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello and
electrotype 200 CBN. Printer: (Unknown). 151 x 78 mm. Paper.
cover of the corresponding chapter in The Banknote Book.
□ a. 2000. — — 3.50
• Type numbers always begin with the capital letter B immediately Sig. 14: Sanusi/Sadiq. Black sig.
followed by a 3- or 4-digit number (not separated by a hyphen or Prefix A/5 - B/C29. Intro: 01.11.00.
any other punctuation). □ b. 2001. Prefix G/3. — — 3.50
• To designate a particular variety, simply append the variety □ c. 2002. Prefix G/64 - G/95. — — 3.50
letter(s) to the type number (not separated by a hyphen or any
□ d. 2003. Sig. 15: Sanusi/Anene. — — 3.50
Prefix I/43 - I/74, M/7.
other punctuation). For example: Nigeria B227m. □ e. 2004. Prefix J/67. — — 3.50
□ f. Sig. 16: Soludo/Anene. Prefix K/21 - M/3. — — 3.50
□ g. 2005. Prefix N/53 - Q/20. — — 3.50
How to Read Listings □ h. Sig. 17: Soludo/Onyido. Prefix Q/81, R/65. — — 3.50
□ i. 2006. Prefix Q/76, R/30, R/31. — — 3.50
Each listing consists of a description that applies to all notes of □ j. 2007. Prefix S/70 - AE/39. — — 3.50
that type number. Below the description are one or more lines that □ k. 2008. Prefix AD/29 - DB/2. — — 3.50
describe the individual varieties. Typically varieties are described □ l. 2009. Prefix AA/57. — — 3.50
□ m. Sig. 18: Sanusi/Onyido. Brown sig. — — 3.50
by their dates and signature combinations. Rather than repeat Prefix AA/63 - AF/96.
information on every line, only the distinguishing characteristic is □ n. 2010. Prefix AD/21 - AF/93. — — 3.50
listed for each variety. □ o1. Sig. 19: Sanusi/Nda. 9-mm tall Two in — — 3.50
For example, in the following listing for Nigeria’s 200-naira note denomination at front center. Prefix AG/66.
(B227) the first three varieties have different dates (2000, 2001, □ o2. 11-mm tall Two in denomination at front center. — — 3.50
Prefix AB/86 - AH/67.
and 2002), but the same signature (14). It’s not until B227d that □ p. 2011. Prefix AC/84 - AD/96. — — 3.50
both the date and signature change, hence both are listed. Following □ q. 2012. Prefix AH/6 - AH/54. — — 3.50
this same logic you can see that B227e is a new date variety (2004), □ r. Sig. 20: Sanusi/Umar. Prefix AB/65 - AC/15. — — 3.50
but the signature (15) is unchanged from the previous variety. □ s. 2013. Prefix AD/64. — — 3.50
Conversely, with B227f the date remains the same (2004), but the □ t1. 2014. Prefix AD/91 - AF/74. — — 3.50
□ t2. Date in italics. Black sig. Prefix AG/6 - AH/28. — — 3.50
signature (16) is new. □ u. 2015. Sig. 21: Emefiele/Fabamwo. — — 3.50
Date in Roman. Brown sig. Prefix A/23 - A/59.
□ v. 2016. Prefix B/52 - D/40. — — 3.50
□ w. 2017. Prefix D/76. — — 3.50
□ x. 2018. Prefix AG/97 - AH/90. — — 3.50
Replacement notes: Prefix numerator DZ.

Descriptions Anti-Counterfeiting Features
Rather than attempt to describe all of the anti-counterfeiting
Each note type is described in detail, starting with the features on each note, the listings mention security threads and
denomination, then the overall color of the note, followed by watermarks by default, and include other significant features
descriptions of the front and back, major security features, printer, whenever necessary to distinguish between types and varieties.
dimensions, and finally, the note’s substrate.
Security Threads
Denominations As far as this catalog is concerned, the two main types of
Following each note’s catalog number is the denomination of the security threads are solid and windowed. A “solid” thread is one
note expressed as a numeral and the unit of currency, typically as it that is completely embedded in the substrate. Solid threads may
appears on the note in English, but in some cases the non-Western not be visible in reflected light, though they are always visible in
native language is shown with English transliteration in parentheses. transmitted light and may appear printed or segmented. Contrast
Next to the denomination is the note’s face value in US dollars if that with a windowed thread that appears in reflected light as
the note is still legal tender; otherwise the date of withdrawal or partially exposed and partially embedded, weaving in and out
demonetization is indicated if known. at intervals from top to bottom of the note; in transmitted light
the thread appears continuous. Security printers have devised
Colors trademarked names for their threads, such as Motion, Optiks,
The overall color of the note is based upon the issuer’s official StarChrome, StarDust. When known, the precise names are
description, if available, or personal observation otherwise. indicated.
Perception of color is somewhat subjective and sometimes the Both solid and windowed threads can be plain or have repeating
available images are based upon notes which may have faded over text or symbols on them. If the text is dark on a light background,
time, so do not be surprised if the description appears at odds with it’s said to be “printed” regardless of the actual process used in its
your impression of the note. creation. If the text is light on dark, it’s “demetalized,” the technical
term for how the characters are formed through laser ablation.
Languages Whenever possible, the text on threads is included in the description
The English names of the languages appearing on the banknote exactly as it appears on the note, in italics, though without the
are listed in alphabetical order, except for some countries (such as repetition and changes in orientation that are typical.
South Africa) where similar note types are distinguished only by
the predominant language. The languages on the front and back are
described separately.
Design Elements
The front and back of each note are described from left to right Security threads with dark text on a light background are “printed” (top) whereas those with
as precisely as possible. For example, buildings’ official names and light text on a dark background are “demetalized” (bottom).
locations are given when known, and fauna & flora are described by
common names and species if possible. If a description is generic,
it’s because a precise identification could not be positively made.
Collectors are encouraged to share verifiable information regarding
identification of design elements so that it may be added to future
editions of this catalog.

Watermarks The countries listed below are where the printers are
Watermarks are images formed in paper substrates prior to headquartered, not necessarily where they print notes. Private
printing. Most watermarks are multitonal with shades of bright security printers often have multiple plants around the world.
and dark areas visible when viewed in transmitted light. Recently Abbreviation Printer
the trend is to include a high-constrast electrotype element such as ABNC American Bank Note Company, United States
the denomination or the bank’s logo. De La Rue has its own new BABN British American Bank Note Company, Canada
proprietary watermark technology called Cornerstones which are BDF Banque de France, France
diagonal lines in all four corners, intended to enhance the longevity BFONBK Banknote Factory of National Bank of Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan
BNB Bulgarian National Bank Printing Works, Bulgaria
of the note (DLR licenses this technology to other security printing
BNdB Banque Nationale de Belgique, Belgium
firms, so the presence of Cornerstones does not necessarily mean BOL Bank of Laos, Laos
that DLR is the printer of the note). By definition, polymer notes BWC Bradbury, Wilkinson & Company, United Kingdom
do not have actual watermarks, although they simulate them with CBE Central Bank of Egypt, Egypt
“shadow images.” When a watermark repeats rather than appears CBN Canadian Bank Note Company, Canada
just once in a defined area, it is said to be a “pattern.” CC-A Ciccone Calcografia S.A., Argentina
CdM-A Casa de Moneda, Argentina
CdM-B Casa da Moeda do Brasil, Brazil
CNP Currency Note Press, India
DNBPW Danmarks Nationalbank’s Banknote Printing Works, Denmark
FCOF François-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire, France
FPZ Fidelity Printers, Zimbabwe
G&D Giesecke & Devrient, Germany
HGZ Haase, graficky zavod, Prague, Czechoslovakia
HKNPL Hong Kong Note Printing Limited, Hong Kong
H&S Harrison & Sons, United Kingdom
IBN Regia Autonoma - Imprimeria Bancii Nationale a Romaniei, Romania
IDS Impresos de Seguridad, Cuba
ISDB Imprimerie Speciale de Banque, France
ISP India Security Press, India
JEZ Johan Enschedé en Zonen, Netherlands
KMSP Korea Minting and Security Printing, South Korea
NBC National Bank of Cambodia, Cambodia
NBČM Banknotendruckerei der Nationalbank für Böhmen und Mähren, Bohemia
and Moravia
NBPP National Banknote Printing Plant, Vietnam
The diagonal lines in the corners are Cornerstone watermarks. Also visible are a standard NBPW Norges Bank’s Printing Works, Norway
watermark of a turtle along with the issuer’s initials (CIMA) as an electrotype element, and NBU National Bank of Ukraine Banknote and Mint Factory, Ukraine
both a solid and windowed thread, the latter with demetalized text at right. NPA Note Printing Australia, Australia
NPW Note Printing Works, Bank of Thailand, Thailand
NSP&M Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Nigeria
OCV Officina Carte Valori, Italy
Printers
OEB Otto Elsner Buchdruckerei K.-G., Berlin, Germany
If a printer imprint appears on a banknote, it is reproduced OeBS Oesterreichische Banknoten und Sicherheitsdruck, Austria
exactly as printed, in italics. If the printer is known for certain OFSP Orell Füssli Security Printing, Switzerland
but the note lacks an imprint, the printer’s name or abbreviation OeSD Österreichische Staatsdruckerei, Austria
appears as a parenthetical notation. If the printer of record has OT Oberthur Technologies, France
PPI Perum Purari, Indonesia
insufficient capacity to produce all the notes required by a customer,
PSPC Pakistan Security Printing Corporation, Pakistan
a competitor may be asked to temporarily produce some notes. So- PWPW Polska Wytwórnia Papierów Wartościowych, Poland
called “overspill” deals are typically confidential and as such are not RT Riigi Trükikoda, Estonia
reflected in this catalog. If the printer is not known for certain, it is SABN South African Bank Note Company, South Africa
listed as “Unknown.” Collectors are encouraged to share verifiable SBNC Security Banknote Company, United States
information regarding the printers of such notes so that it may be SBP State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan
SBPF Shanghai Banknote Printing Factory, China
added to future editions of this catalog. SPC Security Printing Corporation, Bangladesh
STC Státní Tiskárna Cenin, Czech Republic
TCMB Türkiye Cümhuriyet Merkez Bankası, Turkey
TDLR Thomas De La Rue, United Kingdom
TL Tilgmann Lithography, Finland
USBNC United States Bank Note Company, United States

Dimensions Abbreviations
The note’s dimensions are listed in millimeters. The dimensions The following abbreviations are sometimes used to save space:
are based upon the issuer’s official description, if available, or
empirical observation otherwise. Slight variations are to be expected Abbreviation Definition
demon. demonetized
as trimming errors and normal wear may cause a note to appear
EF Extra Fine
slightly larger or smaller than as described. F Fine
FEEL Fast Energy Effective Link
Substrate FIT Fine Intaglio Technology
The last item in the description is the note’s substrate, which is FV face value
usually paper for older notes, and increasingly polymer for newer G Good
intro introduction
notes. When known, the brand name of polymer substrates is given LEAD Longlasting Economical Anticopy Device
in parentheses, and paper note listings indicate counterfoil, deckle, LEAP Laser Engravable Anticounterfeiting Paper
handcut, or perforate to help identify improperly trimmed notes. LIFT Latent Image Family Technology
LOOK Laser Originated Optical Key
Dates MIRA Multi-Iridescent Registered Application
n/a not available
Whenever a date appears on a banknote, it is reproduced exactly
OVD optically variable device (hologram)
as it is printed on the note to eliminate any confusion or need OVI optically variable ink
to translate. Undated notes are listed as “No date.” Sometimes a OVMI optically variable magnetic ink
note carries the date of the law authorizing its issue even though ovpt overprint
the actual date of issue may be much later. In those cases where PEAK Printed Embossed Anticopy Key
a note carries both a law date and a print date, the latter is listed. perf perforation
PNL Pick not listed
Whenever known, dates of introduction are also listed as precisely QEII Queen Elizabeth II
as possible. Keep in mind that sometimes there are delays between sig. signature
when a bank officially introduces a note and when it actually enters SIGN Secure Invisible Generated Number
circulation. s/n serial number
SPARK not an acronym
STEP Shimmery Twin Effect Protection
Signatures
UK United Kingdom
The signature tables contain examples of signature combinations UNC uncirculated
reproduced exactly as they appear on the notes, resized for optimal US United States of America
legibility. For countries with multiple note-issuing authorities, UV ultraviolet
separate signature tables are used for each authority. VF Very Fine
VG Very Good
The title of each signatory is reproduced as it appears on the
with. withdrawn
note, with English translations in parentheses if needed. In addition, wmk watermark
the full names of signatories are included whenever possible. Finally, w/o without
if a signatory’s term of service is known, it appears parenthetically.
Series/Prefixes
The earliest and latest verified series/prefixes are shown in the
following listings. Be advised that not all series/prefixes within the
range have been verified; it’s possible that the printer skipped some
letters/numbers for unknown reasons. Also, there may be cross-overs
(i.e. the same series/prefix appears on different types or varieties),
therefore the series/prefixes shouldn’t be used as the sole determining
factor in identifying a note.

Images Share Your Input, Info, and Images
Contributors around the globe have graciously scanned notes in This catalog is believed to be complete and correct as of the
their collections for inclusion in this catalog. Great effort has been time of publication. Please report errors or omissions so that
expended in collecting high-quality images of notes. However, due corrections may be made. If you can more precisely identify the
to variations in the wide array of scanners used, true color fidelity name or location of anything depicted on a note, please share that
is impossible, so please do not rely upon the images as a definitive information. Furthermore, if you own an unlisted type or variety,
indication of the actual color of a given note. please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
Images are of the best condition notes available, which are be documented. Scans should be 300 dots per inch, 100% actual
usually uncirculated for modern notes, but can range to poor for size, 24-bit color, saved as uncompressed JPEG files, and sent to
older notes. Unfortunately, for some notes, no images are available input@banknotenews.com. Be sure to fully describe all attributes
at all. Collectors with notes missing images—or better examples of the note which are not apparent upon visual inspection of the
than those included in this catalog—are encouraged to submit scans images alone, such as physical dimension, watermark, and security
so that the improved images may be used in future editions of this thread.
catalog.
Copyright Notice
Prices All of the information and images in this document are the result
This catalog does not set prices for notes, it merely reports of painstaking research and a considerable investment of time and
them based upon the results of recent live and online auctions energy. These contents are copyrighted and may not be reproduced
from data compiled by Track & Price World Paper Money (www. without permission.
trackandpricewpm.com). Prices are exclusive of shipping, handling, Thank you for your support!
and taxes, but do reflect buyer’s premiums paid at auction, where
appropriate. Pricing is subject to change with fluctuations in BanknoteNews.com
currency exchange rates (all values are shown in US dollars at time P.O. Box 40159
of writing), and there may be significant differences between the San Francisco, California 94140
price of a given note on the world market versus the value of a note United States of America
in its local country due to differences in supply and demand. Owen@BanknoteNews.com
Some notes lack pricing in some or all grades simply because they
rarely come up for sale. A dash in the price grid does not necessary To stay abreast of new issues, visit www.BanknoteNews.com.
mean that a note is particularly rare or valuable, merely that reliable
pricing information isn’t available. For example, specimen notes may
be sold in sets, making prices of individual specimens difficult to
determine.
Commemorative Notes
Some notes are listed as “commemorative notes.” This indicates
that the note was issued to commemorate a particular event, person,
or date. In those cases where a commemorative note is issued as an
integral part of a family of notes, it is presented in the appropriate
order with the other denominations in that family rather than listed
separately. Commemorative notes are legal tender and intended for
circulation, in contrast to numismatic products (see below).
Numismatic Products
Some notes are listed as “numismatic products.” This indicates
that the note was initially sold by the issuer for more than face
value. Examples of numismatic products include specimen sets,
sets with matching serial numbers, and commemorative notes in
albums, to name a few. Uncut sheets of notes are also considered
numismatic products, but are not included in this catalog because to
do so would greatly increase its size. While the notes in numismatic
products may be legal tender, they are created specifically for the
collector market and are not intended for circulation. Be aware that
some sellers may intentionally or inadvertently break up numismatic
products and offer notes individually or without their original
accompanying material. Take care not to mistake these as unlisted
varieties of issued notes.

Abkhazia 2018 Commemorative Issues
These notes commemorate the 25th anniversary of Victory in the

For earlier issues, see Georgia and Russia.
Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia (1992 - 1993), and were
issued in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Abkhazia from
21.04.2008, no. 2012-c-IV, “On the introduction into circulation
on the territory of the Republic of Abkhazia of commemorative and
investment coins and commemorative banknotes.”
Abkhazia is a de facto republic with its capital Sukhumi on

the eastern coast of the Black Sea, south of the Greater Caucasus
mountains, in northwestern Georgia. The Republic of Abkhazia
is recognized as a state by Nauru, Nicaragua, Russia, Syria, and
Venezuela. While Georgia lacks control over Abkhazia, the Georgian
government and most United Nations member states legally
B101 (PNL): 500 ҧсар (apsars) (US$77) VG VF UNC
consider Abkhazia part of Georgia, whI’ose constitution designates Brown, yellow, tan, orange, green, and red. Front: Abkhaz text; coat of arms; stars;
the area as the Autonomous Republic of Abkhazia. traditional ornament as registration device; two soldiers of Abkhazian Armed Forces
raising Abkhaz flag; 1st president, Vladislav Ardzinba. Back: Abkhaz text; silhouette of
Sukhum skyline; fortress tower; coat of arms; stylized mountain; map of Abkhazia; stars;
Issuer Starting Number QR-code. No security thread. Watermark: Basket weave pattern. Printer: (Goznak). 150 x
65 mm. Paper.
National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia (NBA)...................B101 □ a. 2018. Sig. 1: Unknown. 10,000 notes. Prefix AA. — — 200
Intro: 29.09.2018.
Monetary System Acknowledgements

1 Abkhazian apsar = 10 Russian rubles (RUB) This chapter was compiled with the generous assistance of Mark
Irwin, Gor Tumasyan, Albert Vokhmin, and others.
While Abkhazia has issued commemorative coins and notes
denominated in apsars, the Russian ruble is used in circulation. Sources
National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia (http://nb-ra.org).
Аҧсны Абанк Revisions
(National Bank of the Republic of 16.10.2018: initial publication
Abkhazia) Share Your Input, Info, and Images
This catalog is believed to be complete and correct as of the
The National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia (NBA) is
time of publication. Please report errors or omissions so that
headquartered in Sokhumi. For more information, visit http://nb-
corrections may be made. If you can more precisely identify the
ra.org.
name or location of anything depicted on a note, please share that
NBA Signature Varieties information. Furthermore, if you own an unlisted type or variety,
1 please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
be documented. Scans should be 300 dots per inch, 100% actual
size, 24-bit color, saved as uncompressed JPEG files, and sent to
input@banknotenews.com. Be sure to fully describe all attributes
of the note which are not apparent upon visual inspection of the
АБАНК АХАДА images alone, such as physical dimension, watermark, and security
Unknown thread.
www.banknotebook.com © March 23, 2020 1

Government of the Cook Islands
Cook Islands Initially, British coins were used in the Cook Islands, but after
For earlier issues, see New Zealand.
1933, the Cook Islands adopted New Zealand’s monetary system.
After becoming a dominion, New Zealand introduced the New
Zealand pound (NZP) at par with the British pound sterling
(GBP). The New Zealand dollar (NZD) replaced the New Zealand
pound on 10 July 1967, at the rate of 1 pound equals 2 dollars. The
Cook Islands have issued both banknotes and coins denominated in
Cook Island dollars.
Cook Islands (CI)
GOV Signature Varieties

1 2
FINANCIAL SECRETARY
M. J. Fleming
MINISTER OF FINANCE
Thomas Davis
3
MINISTER OF FINANCE
Geoffrey Henry
Issuer Starting Number (1992 - 1995)
Government of the Cook Islands (GOV)..................................B101
Monetary System
10.07.1967: 1 Cook Island dollar (CKD) = 100 cents
Series/Prefixes
(i.e. the same series/prefix appears on different types or varieties),
factor in identifying a note.

Government of the Cook Islands 1894 Issues The Banknote Book: Cook Islands
1894 Issues 1987 Issues
This series, issued primarily to generate revenue from numismatic

sales, is one of the few modern notes to feature a bare-breasted
female; in this case, Ina. As legend has it, Ina was the love of
Tinirau, the god of the ocean who lived on a floating island.
One day Ina jumped into the sea in search of Tinirau, but was
continually tossed back to shore by gigantic waves. Eventually a
shark agreed to carry her on his back.
Ina took some coconuts with her for food and drink on the
journey. After some time, Ina became thirsty, so the shark raised his
dorsal fin so that she could crack a coconut and partake of its milk.
This she did and it satisfied her thirst. She then relieved herself on
the shark, who wasn’t too happy about that and warned her not to
do this again. This is why islanders complain that the shark meat
B101 (P1): 2 shillings VG VF UNC smells of urine.
Blue and red on pink. Front: English text; crossed flags of Cook Island. Back: Blank. No Again Ina became thirsty and this time she cracked the coconut
security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). 197 x 120 mm. Paper. on the shark’s head. Reeling from the pain, the shark tossed Ina off
□ a. 7TH AUGUST 1894. No sig. No s/n. Prefix A. — — 35,000 his back and dived below the waters, leaving her to flounder in the
Unissued.
sea. Finally, Tekea the Great—the king of all sharks—rose from the
bottom of the sea and rescued Ina. He then carried her to Tinirau’s
island, where they were finally reunited.
B102 (P2): 4 shillings VG VF UNC

Blue and red on green. Front: English text; crossed flags of Cook Island. Back: Blank. No
security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). 197 x 120 mm. Paper.
□ a. 7TH AUGUST 1894. No sig. No s/n. Prefix B. — — 27,500
Unissued.
B103 (P3): 3 dollars (US$2.40) VG VF UNC

Green. Front: English and Māori text; nude Ina with coconut riding wave atop shark. Back:
English text; pukapuka fishing canoe; native designs; god of Te-Rongo carved statue with
penis. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Note Printing Australia). 150 x 75
mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 1: Davis. Prefix AAA - ABA. — 1.50 6.50
Intro: 20.07.1987.
□ as. Diagonal red SPECIMEN ovpt front/back; — — 30
s/n AAA 000000.
For note with 6th FESTIVAL of PACIFIC ARTS overprint, see B106.
B102.5 (PNL): 10 shillings VG VF UNC

Blue and red on white. Front: English text; crossed flags of Cook Island. Back: Blank. No
□ a. 7TH AUGUST 1894. No sig. No s/n. Prefix C. — — —
Unissued.
2 www.banknotebook.com © March 23, 2020

The Banknote Book: Cook Islands Government of the Cook Islands 1992 Commemorative Issues
1987 Numismatic Products
Sets of the 1987 notes with matching serial numbers were

packaged in booklets and sold for NZ$50 each.
No image available.
BNP101 (PCS1): 3, 10, and 20 dollars UNC
□ a. B103 - B105 (3 notes) with matching s/n in booklet. 60
Intro: 20.07.1987.
1992 Commemorative Issues
This 3-dollar note commemorates the 6th Festival of Pacific Arts,

which was held in Rarotonga, 16 - 27 October 1992.
B104 (P4): 10 dollars (demonetized) VG VF UNC

Pink-orange. Front: English and Māori text; nude Ina with coconut riding wave atop shark.
Back: English text; native designs; Pantheon of gods as carved statues. No security
thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Note Printing Australia). 150 x 75 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 1: Davis. Prefix BAA - BAZ. 1 3.50 14
Intro: 20.07.1987.
s/n BAA 000000.

Green. Front: English and Māori text; nude Ina with coconut riding wave atop shark. Back:
Horizontal black 6th FESTIVAL of PACIFIC ARTS, RAROTONGA COOK ISLANDS,
OCTOBER 16-27, 1992 overprint; English text; pukapuka fishing canoe; native designs;
god of Te-Rongo carved statue with penis. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer:
(Note Printing Australia). 150 x 75 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 1: Davis. Prefix AAA - ABB. — — 6.50
Intro: 16.10.1992.
□ as. Diagonal red SPECIMEN ovpt front/back; — — —
s/n AAA 000000.
Overprinted on B103.

Light blue. Front: English and Māori text; nude Ina with coconut riding wave atop shark.
Back: English text; drum; conch shell; turtle shell; native designs. No security thread.
Watermark: None. Printer: (Note Printing Australia). 150 x 75 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 1: Davis. Prefix CAA - CBB. 6 25 90
Intro: 20.07.1987.
□ b. Sig. 2: Fleming. Prefix CAE, CAF. 10 40 160
s/n CAA 000000 or CAN 000000.

Government of the Cook Islands 1992 Issues The Banknote Book: Cook Islands
1992 Issues
This new series of notes features a common front design, though

depicted in different colors on each denomination, including the
new 50-dollar note. The backs pay homage to some of the larger
of the 15 major islands that make up the country. The addition
of a watermark and solid security thread makes these notes better
protected against counterfeiting than the first series.

Green. Front: English and Māori text; ship; shells; flowers; worshipers with church,
cemetery, and palm trees. Back: English text; flower; lizard; people seated at desks;
mountains; fruit dove; ship; RAROTONGA banner. Solid security thread. Watermark: Sea
turtle. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 150 x 75 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 3: Henry. Prefix AAA. Intro: 1992. — — 6.50
s/n AAA 000000.
Replacement notes: Prefix ZZZ.

Pink. Front: English and Māori text; ship; shells; flowers; worshipers with church,
cemetery, and palm trees. Back: English text; shell; map of AITUTAKI and MANUAE; three
male drummers; two male and three female dancers; bananas; blue lorikeet bird; ship;
fish with coral; AITUTAKI banner. Solid security thread. Watermark: Sea turtle. Printer:
THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED. 150 x 75 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 3: Henry. Prefix AAA, AAB. — — 4.50
Intro: 1992.
s/n AAA 000000.

Orange. Front: English and Māori text; ship; shells; flowers; worshipers with church,
cemetery, and palm trees. Back: English text; plant; map of islands; crab; two men with
canoe; mangala kingfisher; ship; NGAPUTORU & MANGAIA banner. Solid security
thread. Watermark: Sea turtle. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND COMPANY LIMITED.
150 x 75 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 3: Henry. Prefix AAA, BBB. — — 7
Intro: 1992.
s/n AAA 000000.

The Banknote Book: Cook Islands Government of the Cook Islands 1992 Issues
Looking Forward
In June 1995, the government of the Cook Islands began
exchanging all of the larger banknotes for New Zealand currency,
but the 3-dollar note and all coins remain in use.
For later issues, see New Zealand.
Acknowledgements
This chapter was compiled in collaboration with Mark Irwin
and with the generous assistance of Matthew Brealey, Donald
Cleveland, Austin Mattox, Dr. Ali Mehilba, Wally Myers, Donald
Teo, Christoph Thomas, Scott de Young, and others.
Sources
Boon, K. N. World Paper & Polymer Uncut Banknotes. 1st edition.
2012. ISBN 978-983-43313-4-4. Trigometric Sdn.Bhd.
(www.3833.com), Lot 327, Amcorp Mall, 18 Jalan Persiaran
Barat, off Jalan Timur, Petaling Jaya, 46050 Selangor D.E.,
Malaysia.
Blue. Front: English and Māori text; ship; shells; flowers; worshipers with church,
Freehill, Mark E. “Paper Money World: Cook Islands to Issue
cemetery, and palm trees. Back: English text; pearls; plant; map of islands; three people Notes.” IBNS Journal. Volume 26 Number 2. p.50.
in canoe; fish; two women weaving with hat; sooty tern bird; ship; NORTHERN GROUP Freehill, Mark E. “Paper Money World: Cook Islands Issues Notes.”
banner. Solid security thread. Watermark: Sea turtle. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE AND IBNS Journal. Volume 26 Number 3. p.83.
COMPANY LIMITED. 150 x 75 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. Sig. 3: Henry. Prefix AAA, BBB. — — 11
Mehilba, Dr. Ali. Mehilba World Replacement. 1st edition. 2013.
Intro: 1992. (www.worldreplacement.com).
□ as. Diagonal red SPECIMEN ovpt front/back; — — 40 Schmidt, Tracy L. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern
s/n AAA 000000. Issues, 1961-Present. 23rd edition. 2017. ISBN 978-1-4402-
Replacement notes: Prefix ZZZ. 4795-8. Krause Publications (www.krausebooks.com), 700 East
State St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Schmidt, Tracy L. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General
Issues, 1368-1960. 16th edition. 2016. ISBN 978-1-4402-4707-
1. Krause Publications (www.krausebooks.com), 700 East State
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions
26.10.2018: added listing for B102.5
06.01.2018: updated prices throughout
13.05.2011: initial publication
Share Your Input, Info, and Images

information. Furthermore, if you own an unlisted type or variety,
please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
images alone, such as physical dimension, watermark, and security
thread.

Gouvernement Général de l’A.O.F. -
Dahomey Colonie du Dahomey
(General Government of French West
Africa - Colony of Dahomey)
Gouvernement Général de l’A.O.F. (GGAO)
The colony of Dahomey was established by France in 1894,

following the victory of the latter in the Franco-Dahomean War
which lasted from 1892 until January 1894. The colony included
the territory of the Kingdom of Dahomey and Porto-Novo (under
French rule from 1883), as well as an area to the north under loose
tribal control. In 1895 France established Afrique Occidentale
Française (French: French West Africa), a federation of eight
territories: Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Dahomey (now Benin),
French Guinea, French Sudan (now Mali), Mauritania, Niger,
Senegal, and Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso).

Le Trésorier-Payeur Le Lt-Gouverneur
(Treasurer And Cashier) (Lieutenant Governor)
1
Leon Bourguine
Paul Riboulet
1917 Emergency Issues
Banque du Sénégal banknotes were in use in French West

Africa until 1901 when the Banque de l’Afrique Occidentale was
established and began issuing its own notes. Due to the severe
shortage of coinage in the colonies due to World War I, on 11
February 1917 a special decree was passed allowing for the issuance
of 50-centime, 1-franc, and 2-franc emergency notes, although not
all denominations were printed for all of the colonies (for example,
no 2-franc note was issued for Dahomey).
The design of the emergency notes depicted a French coin
corresponding to the denomination on the front, and an excerpt
of the decree in French on the back. Each colony issued its own
notes, distinguished by color, the name of the colony printed below
Issuer Starting Number GOUVERNEMENT GÉNÉRAL DE L’A.O.F., and signatures of the
colony’s paymaster and lieutenant governor.
Gouvernement Général de l’A.O.F. (GOV)...............................B101
Monetary System
1 franc = 100 centimes

General Government of French West Africa 1917 Emergency Issues The Banknote Book: Dahomey
Looking Forward
With the establishment of the French Fourth Republic in 1947,
Dahomey became part of the French Union. On 11 December
1958, the French Fifth Republic was established and the French
Union became the French Community. The colony became the self-
governing Republic of Dahomey within the community, and on 1
B101 (P1): 50 centimes VG VF UNC August 1960 it gained full independence. In 1975 the Republic of
Red and black. Front: French text; 50-centime coin. Back: French text. No security thread. Dahomey changed its name to Benin.
Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Gorée. — Imp. Gouvt Génal. 82 x 55 mm. For later issues, see French West Africa.
□ a. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. Sig. 1: Riboulet/Bourguine. 600 1,100 1,800
Wmk: Bee pattern. 4.5-mm tall s/n.
23-mm wide imprint.
Acknowledgements
Series A.01 - A.60. 60,000 notes. This chapter was compiled in collaboration with Mark Irwin and
□ b. 3.5-mm tall s/n. 26-mm wide imprint. 600 1,100 1,800 with the generous assistance of Compagnie Generale De Bourse
Series A.61 - D.100. 340,000 notes. (www.CGB.fr), Ibrahim K. Salem, and others.
□ c. Wmk: Laurel leaf pattern. 600 1,100 1,800
Series E.1 - T.100. 1,600,000 notes.
□ r. No s/n; punched. — — — Sources
Bayle, Georges. Billets et Tickets d’outre-Mer: Émissions officielles dites
“de nécessité” dans l’Empire colonial français. 1st edition. 2018.
ISBN 979-10-699-1746-0. Proscan Imprimerie, 35, rue Élémir
Bourges, 13004 Marseille, France. (bayle-georges@orange.fr).
Leclerc, Roger and Maurice Kolsky. Les Billets Africains de la Zone
Franc. Volume 10. 2000. ISBN 2-906602-17-5. Éditions Victor
Gadoury (www.gadoury.com). S.C.S. Bouvernon & Cie. 57, rue
Grimaldi, MC-98000 Monaco.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions
25.05.2018: added series ranges throughout
B102 (P2): 1 franc VG VF UNC 26.09.2013: initial publication
Orange, yellow, and black. Front: French text; 1-franc coin. Back: French text. No security
thread. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Gorée. — Imp. Gouvt Génal. 102 x 66 mm.
□ a. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. Sig. 1: Riboulet/Bourguine. 400 1,000 3,000
Wmk: Bee pattern. 4.5-mm tall s/n. This catalog is believed to be complete and correct as of the
23-mm wide imprint. time of publication. Please report errors or omissions so that
Series A.1 - A.70. 70,000 notes. corrections may be made. If you can more precisely identify the
□ b. 3.5-mm tall s/n. 26-mm wide imprint. 400 1,000 3,000
Series A.71 - C.100. 230,000 notes.
□ c. Wmk: Laurel leaf pattern. 400 1,000 3,000 information. Furthermore, if you own an unlisted type or variety,
Series D.1 - J.100. 700,000 notes. please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
□ r. No s/n; punched. — — — be documented. Scans should be 300 dots per inch, 100% actual
thread.
The easiest way to distinguish between the 1-franc varieties is to examine the symbol
on the back. On earlier issues, the symbol has five petals (B102a, top), whereas on later
issues it has six petals (B102b/c, bottom).

French Issuer Starting Number
Banque de l’Indo-Chine (BIC)..................................................B101
Cochinchina Monetary System

1 piastre = 100 cents
French Months of the Year

Janvier (January) Février (February) Mars (March)
Avril (April) Mai (May) Juin (June)
Juillet (July) Août (August) Septembre (September)
Octobre (October) Novembre (November) Décembre (December)
Series/Prefixes
In the following listings, the earliest and latest series/prefixes
which have been verified are shown. Be advised that not all series/
prefixes within the range shown have been verified; it’s possible that
the printer skipped some letters/numbers for unknown reasons.
Also, there may be cross-overs (i.e. the same series/prefixes appears
on different types or varieties), therefore the series/prefixes itself can’t
be used as the sole determining factor in identifying a note.
On 1 September 1858, French and Spanish troops began

the Cochinchina campaign by invading Tourane (Da Nang),
Vietnam, followed by the capture of Saigon in Cochinchina on 17
February 1859. After almost four years of war, on 5 June 1862, the
Vietnamese government ceded the southern provinces of Biên Hòa,
Gia Đinh, and Định Tường to became the colony known as French
Cochinchina, with its capital in Saigon.
The Pick cross-references in this chapter are from the French

Indo-China chapter of the SCWPM; Krause does not treat French
Cochinchina as a separate entity.

Bank of Indo-China 1875 (1876 - 1877) Issues The Banknote Book: French Cochinchina
Banque de l’Indo-Chine
(Bank of Indo-China)
The Banque de l’Indo-Chine (BIC) was founded in Paris, France
on 21 January 1875, with plans to operate in Cochinchina (Saigon
branch opened 26 April 1875) and French India (Pondichery
branch opened 8 January 1877). Over time, the BIC opened other
branches in French Indo-China and the Far East.
BIC Signature Varieties

Un Administrateur
(Board Member)
1
Édouard Delessert
1875 (1876 - 1877) Issues
These notes were issued per Décret du 21 Janvier 1875.

On these notes, the bank’s name appears as Banque de l’Indo-
Chine (hyphenated). Below the bank’s name is the branch name,
Saigon. At the time of the issue of these BIC notes, Saigon was the
capital city of French Cochinchina although the country name B102 (P22): 20 dollars = 20 piastres (withdrawn 1892) VG VF UNC
never appears on BIC notes. Following the branch name is a Black on green. Front: English and French text; elephant with mahout; dragon; female
(France) holding sickle reclining with bull; female (India) reclining with tiger; dragon;
horizontal line where the issue date was handwritten in French. elephant with mahout. Back: Chinese and French text; penal code. No security thread.
Watermark: Mercury’s head in profile. Printer: (Banque de France). 207 x 118 mm. Paper.
□ a. 21 Janvier 1875. Handwritten issue date. — — —
Printed sig. 1 and two handwritten sig.
Series A.1 - J.7. Intro: 00.01.1876.
□ as. No ovpt; no perf; no date; s/n A.0 000. — — —
B101 (P21): 5 dollars = 5 piastres (withdrawn 1896) VG VF UNC

Purple and black. Front: English and French text; Neptune holding trident, reclining on two
sea serpents. Back: Chinese and French text; celestial Chinese dragons; penal code. No
security thread. Watermark: Mercury’s head in profile. Printer: (Banque de France). 180 x
92 mm. Paper.
Series A.1 - R.21. Intro: 00.03.1876.
□ as. Two diagonal red Annulé ovpts front; normal s/n. — — —

The Banknote Book: French Cochinchina Bank of Indo-China 1875 (1876 - 1877) Issues
Looking Forward
On 17 October 1887, French Cochinchina became part of
French Indo-China, a union of French colonial territories in
Southeast Asia, originally comprised of Cambodia and the three
Vietnamese regions of Tonkin (north), Annam (center), and
Cochinchina (south). For later issues, see French Indo-China.
Acknowledgements
This chapter was compiled with the generous assistance of
David Burns, David F. Cieniewicz, Jim W.-C. Chen, Howard A.
Daniel III, Jeff Davis, Jean-Marc Dessal (www.CGB.fr), Rodney
Hall, Detlef Hilmer, Larry Hirsch (www.aworldcurrency.com),
Mark Irwin, Don Ludwig, Dave Mills (www.frenchbanknotes.
com), Sema Kachalo (http://art-hanoi.com), Thomas Neldner,
George Provencal, Gary Snover (www.garysnover.com), Menelaos
Stamatelos, Mel Steinberg, Richard C. Taylor, Richard Underwood,
Ryan Vuong, and others.
Sources
August, David B. “Banque de l’Indochine 1875 to 1931.” IBNS
Journal. Volume 14 Number 3. p.127.
Kelly, Richard. “French-Style Numbering Explained.” IBNS Journal.
Volume 18 Number 3. p.75.
Kolsky, Maurice and Maurice Muszynski. Les Billets de la Banque
de l’Indonchine. Volume 3. 2nd edition. 1997. ISBN 2-906602-
12-4. Éditions Victor Gadoury (www.gadoury.com). S.C.S.
Bouvernon & Cie. 57, rue Grimaldi, MC-98000 Monaco.
B103 (P23): 100 dollars = 100 piastres (withdrawn 1893) VG VF UNC
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Purple and black. Front: English and French text; standing European man holding anchor;
Chinese junks and modern French steamship at sea; serpent; standing Asian man holding The Vinh, Nguyen Huynh. Vietnam and French Indo-China
oar. Back: French text; penal code. No security thread. Watermark: Mercury’s head in Banknotes Catalogue, Section One: French Indo-China. ISBN 978-
profile. Printer: (Banque de France). 214 x 145 mm. Paper. 604-58-7242-0. (www.sachweb.vn).
Series A.1 - H.3. Intro: 1877. Revisions
□ as. No ovpt; no perf; no date; s/n A.0 000. — — — 08.09.2017: added listing for B103as

thread.

French Sudan Soudan Français
For earlier issues, see Upper Senegal and Niger.
Africa - French Sudan)
In 1895, France established Afrique Occidentale Française

(French: French West Africa), a federation of eight territories: Côte
d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Dahomey (now Benin), French Guinea,
French Sudan (now Mali), Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, and Upper
Volta (now Burkina Faso).

(Treasurer and Cashier) (Lieutenant Governor)
1
Marcel Rouffle
August Brunet

French Sudan was a French colonial territory in the federation of
French West Africa from around 1880 until 1960, when it became Banque du Sénégal (Bank of Senegal) banknotes were in use
the independent state of Mali. The colony was formally called in French West Africa until 1901 when the Banque de l’Afrique
French Sudan from 1890 until 1899 and then again from 1921 Occidentale was established and began issuing its own notes. Due
until 1958, and had a variety of different names over the course of to the severe shortage of coinage in the colonies due to World War
its existence. I, on 11 February 1917 a special decree was passed allowing for
the issuance of 50-centime, 1-franc, and 2-franc emergency notes,
Issuer Starting Number although not all denominations were printed for all of the colonies
(for example, no 1- or 2-franc notes were issued for French Sudan).
Gouvernement Général de l’A.O.F. (GOV)...............................B101 The design of the emergency notes depicted a French coin
Monetary System of the decree in French on the back. Each colony issued its own
1 franc = 100 centimes notes, distinguished by color, the name of the colony printed below
GOUVERNEMENT GÉNÉRAL DE L’A.O.F., and signatures of the
French Months of the Year colony’s paymaster and lieutenant governor.
Avril (April) Mai (May) Juin (June)
Juillet (July) Août (August) Septembre (September)
B101 (PA1): 50 centimes VG VF UNC

Brown. Front: French text; 50-centime coin. Back: French text. No security thread.
Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Imp. Chaix - Paris. 82 x 55 mm. Paper.
□ a. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. Sig. 1: Rouffle/Brunet. - - -
Wmk: Bee pattern.
Series U.001 - Z.100, A.101 - O.200 (both
varieties). Intro: 1922.
□ b. Wmk: Laurel leaf pattern. 3,000 4,400 6,000

General Government of French West Africa 1917 Emergency Issues The Banknote Book: French Sudan
Looking Forward
For later issues, see Mali.
Acknowledgements
This chapter was compiled with the generous assistance of Mark
Irwin, Laurence Pope, and others.
Sources
Burson, Weldon. “Banknotes of Mali.” IBNS Journal. Volume 48
Number 2. p.28.
Kelly, Richard. “French-Style Numbering Explained.” IBNS Journal.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions

thread.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony
Gilbert and Ellice Government
Islands
Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government (GEI)
The Gilbert and Ellice Islands were a British protectorate from

1892, and colony from 12 January 1916 until 1 January 1976,
when the islands were divided into two different colonies which
became independent nations shortly after. The Gilbert Islands have
been the major part of the nation of Kiribati since 1979, and the
Ellice Islands became Tuvalu in 1978.

Acting Resident Commissioner Treasurer
1
Stephen Grainger Clarke
Ronald Herbert Garvey
A shortage of currency caused by the outbreak of World War II

Issuer Starting Number in the Pacific led the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government
to issue emergency banknotes in several denominations. Crudely
Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government (GOV).............B101 produced on standard duplicator paper, the notes lack security
features, although they bear facsimile signatures, a faintly embossed
seal, and hand-stamped serial numbers.
Monetary System The following verbatim excerpt from an unpublished report
1 Gilbert and Ellice Islands pound = 20 shillings written by Ronald Herbert Garvey, acting resident commissioner of
the Gilbert and Ellice Islands’ Colony (and signatory on the notes),
contains details about the issuance of these banknotes:
44. During the later part of December [1941] a shortage of currency
developed on Ocean Island and, owing to the fact that the half-yearly
payment of the Banaban annuities fell due at the end of the month,
requiring the sum of money running into £3000, some means of
meeting the situation had to be devised. It was decided, therefore, to
issue local “token” paper currency and £5000 in notes (denomination of
£1, 10/-, and 2/-) were struck off on the office duplicator.
45. The notes were redeemed in the following fashion. After they
were accumulated in the Stores they were handed over to the Treasury
in exchange for a telegraphic remittance from the Colony’s Bankers in
Sydney to the Stores’ Accounts in Australia. When the evacuation of
European and Chinese took place, all tokens held by them were recalled
into the Treasury in exchange for either cash or Treasury Receipts. By
arrangement with the British Phosphate Commissioners these receipts
were to be honored by them on arrival in Australia and their total value
to be paid over to them by the Colony Government in due course. It was
considered unwise to permit the notes to leave Ocean Island as it would
not have been difficult for the Chinese to counterfeit them. A specimen
note (which unhappily remained the property of the Acting Resident
Commissioner on his departure) is attached [1-pound note with serial
number 1602].
46. The only section of the community that refused to accept the
notes was the Chinese but when they were informed that there was no
other money with which they could or would be paid, they revised their
decision.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government 1942 Emergency Issues The Banknote Book: Gilbert and Ellice Islands
The report indicates the notes were issued in denominations of Looking Forward
2 shillings, 10 shillings, and 1 pound. However, no 2-shilling notes For later issues, see Oceania.
have been confirmed. All denominations are exceedingly rare.
No image available.
Acknowledgements
B101 (P1): 1 shilling VG VF UNC This chapter was compiled with the generous assistance of
Black. Front: English text; embossed COURT OF H.B.M. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR Heritage Auctions (HA.com), Mark Irwin, and others.
THE WESTERN PACIFIC. Back: Blank. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer:
(Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government). 207 x 75 mm. Paper (handcut, white).
Sources
□ a. 1st January, 1942. Sig. 1: Garvey/Clarke. — — —
Rodgers, Kerry and Fred Schwan. “Gilbert & Ellice Islands
Emergency Currency of World War II.” IBNS Journal. Volume
28 Number 3 & 4. p.79.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Schwan, C. Frederick and Joseph E. Boling. World War II
Remembered: History in your hands—a numismatic study. 1st
edition. 1995. ISBN 0-931960-40-1. BNR Press, 132 East 2nd
B102 (P4): 10 shillings VG VF UNC St., Port Clinton, OH 4342-1115, *419) 732-6683.
Black. Front: English text; embossed COURT OF H.B.M. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR
(Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government). 207 x 75 mm. Paper (handcut, yellow). Revisions
□ a. 1st January, 1942. Sig. 1: Garvey/Clarke. — — — 04.01.2019: added illustration for B102

B103 (P5): 1 pound VG VF UNC please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
Black. Front: English text; embossed COURT OF H.B.M. HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR be documented. Scans should be 300 dots per inch, 100% actual
(Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony Government). 207 x 75 mm. Paper (handcut, pink).
□ a. 1st January, 1942. Sig. 1: Garvey/Clarke. — — — input@banknotenews.com. Be sure to fully describe all attributes
thread.

Government of Grenada
Grenada
Colonial Treasurer Colonial Secretary
1
Herbert Ferguson
Edward Daniel Laborde
1920 Issues
B101 (P1): 2 shillings 6 pence VG VF UNC

Red and green. Front: English text; floral design; King George V. Back: English text; palm
Issuer Starting Number fronds; sailing ship. No security thread. Watermark: Geometric pattern. Printer: THOS. DE
LA RUE & CO LTD LONDON. 140 x 78 mm. Paper.
Government of Grenada (GOV)...............................................B101 □ a. 1st July 1920. Sig. 1: Laborde/Ferguson. — — —
Prefix A/1. Unconfirmed.
□ as. Horizontal CANCELLED perf; horizontal purple — 35,000 —
SPECIMEN ovpt lower right; s/n A/1 00000.
Monetary System
1 Grenadian pound = 20 shillings

Government of Grenada 1920 Issues The Banknote Book: Grenada
Looking Forward
For later issues, see British Caribbean Territories and East
Caribbean States.
Acknowledgements
This chapter was compiled in collaboration with Mark Irwin and
the generous assistance of David Burns, Mikhail “Mike” Prizov, and
others.
Sources
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions
28.09.2018: added listing for B102as; improved illustration of B102
11.05.2018: updated prices through0out
Blue, green, and brown. Front: English text; floral design; King George V. Back: English
text; palm fronds; sailing ship. No security thread. Watermark: Geometric pattern. Printer: Share Your Input, Info, and Images
THOS. DE LA RUE & CO LTD LONDON. 140 x 78 mm. Paper. This catalog is believed to be complete and correct as of the
□ a. 1st July 1920. Sig. 1: Laborde/Ferguson. — — —
Prefix A/1. Unconfirmed.
□ as. Horizontal CANCELLED perf; horizontal purple — — — corrections may be made. If you can more precisely identify the
SPECIMEN ovpt lower right; s/n A/1 00000. name or location of anything depicted on a note, please share that
No image available. please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
B103 (P3): 10 shillings VG VF UNC be documented. Scans should be 300 dots per inch, 100% actual
Blue-gray, blue, and green. Front: English text; floral design; King George V. Back: English
text; palm fronds; sailing ship. No security thread. Watermark: Geometric pattern. Printer:
THOS. DE LA RUE & CO LTD LONDON. 140 x 78 mm. Paper. input@banknotenews.com. Be sure to fully describe all attributes
□ a. 1st July 1920. Sig. 1: Laborde/Ferguson. — — — of the note which are not apparent upon visual inspection of the
Unconfirmed. images alone, such as physical dimension, watermark, and security
thread.

Banca d’Italia
Italian East Africa (Bank of Italy)
For earlier issues, see Ethiopia and Italian Somaliland. Banca d’Italia (BDI)
Italy decided that it would be prudent for its colonies to use

a separate currency instead of the Italian lira. On 9 May 1936,
Italian Somaliland, Eritrea, and Ethiopia were joined into the
Issuer Starting Number administrative area of Africa Orientale Italiana (Italian East Africa).
With a special decree on 28 March 1938, the Banca d’Italia (Italian:
Banca d’Italia (BDI)..................................................................B101 Bank of Italy, BDI) was authorized to issue banknotes denominated
in lire, similar to the notes then circulating in Italy, but with
different colors and red overprints in the margins:
Monetary System
SERIE SPECIALE AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA / È
1 Italian lira = 100 centesimos
VIETATA LA CIRCOLAZIONE FUORI DEI TERRITORI
DELL’AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA (Italian East Africa
Series/Prefixes
Special Series / Not for circulation outside the Italian East African
Territories).
BDI Signature Varieties
(i.e. the same series/prefix appears on different types or varieties), IL GOVERNATORE IL CASSIERE
(Governor) (Cashier)
factor in identifying a note. 1
Urbini
(1937 - 1953)
Vincenzo Azzolini
(1931 - 1944)

Bank of Italy 1938 - 1939 Issues The Banknote Book: Italian East Africa
1938 - 1939 Issues
B101 (P1): 50 lire (withdrawn 00.05.1942) VG VF UNC

Green, yellow, and red. Front: Horizontal red SERIE SPECIALE AFRICA ORIENTALE
ITALIANA overprint in top margin; horizontal red È VIETATA LA CIRCOLAZIONE FUORI
DEI TERRITORI DELL’AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA overprint in bottom margin; Italian
text; wreath with fruit; round seal with head of Italia. Back: Italian text; floral wreath border;
round FASCIO seal; Lupa Capitolina statue of Romulus and Remus suckling she-wolf.
No security thread. Watermark: Head of Julius Caesar and 50 LIRE. Printer: OFFICINA
DELLA BANCA D’ITALIA - ROMA. 137 x 78 mm. Paper. B102 (P2): 100 lire (withdrawn 00.05.1942) VG VF UNC
□ a. 14 VI / 12 IX 1938. Sig. 1: Azzolini/Urbini. 20 F 120 — Green, red, and orange. Front: Horizontal red SERIE SPECIALE AFRICA ORIENTALE
Series A1 - V40. ITALIANA overprint in top margin; horizontal red È VIETATA LA CIRCOLAZIONE FUORI
□ b. 14 I 1939. Series A41 - V55. 20 F 120 — DEI TERRITORI DELL’AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA overprint in bottom margin; Italian
Like Italy B415, but green. text; wreath; reclining allegorical woman (Roma) wearing helmet, cradling shield, holding
spear and winged Victory, with Lupa Capitolina statue of Romulus and Remus suckling
she-wolf; round seal with head of Italia; wreath. Back: Italian text; eagle with banner within
wreath; round FASCIO seal. No security thread. Watermark: Head of Italia (left) and head
of Dante Alighieri (right). Printer: OFFICINA DELLA BANCA D’ITALIA - ROMA. 184 x 111
mm. Paper.
□ a. 14 VI / 12 IX 1938. Sig. 1: Azzolini/Urbini. 100 275 —
Series A1 - V20.
□ b. 14 I 1939. Series A21 - L28. 100 275 —
Like Italy B416, but green.

The Banknote Book: Italian East Africa Bank of Italy 1938 - 1939 Issues
B104 (P4): 1,000 lire (withdrawn 00.05.1942) VG VF XF

B103 (P3): 500 lire (withdrawn 00.05.1942) VG VF UNC Brown, purple, and red. Front: Horizontal red SERIE SPECIALE AFRICA ORIENTALE
Blue, green, and red. Front: Horizontal red SERIE SPECIALE AFRICA ORIENTALE
DEI TERRITORI DELL’AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA overprint in bottom margin;
Italian text; branches with leaves; two reclining allegorical women holding batons and
DEI TERRITORI DELL’AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA overprint in bottom margin;
leaning on crests of Venice and Genoa; round seal with head of Italia. Back: Italian text;
Italian text; pomegranate wreaths; round seal with head of Italia; standing bare-breasted
statue from Palazzo Koch at Banca d’Italia headquarters in Rome featuring three seated
allegorical woman (Agriculture), holding scythe and sheaf of wheat. Back: Italian text;
allegorical figures (Industry, Agriculture, and Commerce); round FASCIO seal. No security
heraldic eagle coat of arms of House of Savoy; statue from Banca d’Italia headquarters
thread. Watermark: Head of Italia (left) and head of Christopher Columbus (right). Printer:
in Rome featuring three seated allegorical men (Economics, Law, and Finance); round
OFFICINA DELLA BANCA D’ITALIA - ROMA. 222 x 125 mm. Paper.
FASCIO seal. No security thread. Watermark: Head of Leonardo da Vinci in profile
wearing cap. Printer: OFFICINA DELLA BANCA D’ITALIA - ROMA. 201 x 117 mm. Paper. □ a. 14 VI / 12 IX 1938. Sig. 1: Azzolini/Urbini. 500 1,600 8,000
Series A1 - L3.
□ a. 14 VI / 12 IX 1938. Sig. 1: Azzolini/Urbini. 500 1,600 —
□ b. 14 I 1939. Series M3 - V3. 500 1,600 8,000
Series A1 - V5.
□ b. 14 I 1939. Series A6 - V6. 500 1,600 — Like Italy B417, but purple and brown.
Like Italy B413, but green.

Bank of Italy 1938 - 1939 Issues The Banknote Book: Italian East Africa
Looking Forward
Prior to the British occupation of Italian East Africa in May
1942, all Italian East African notes were returned to the Banca
d’Italia in Rome. Due to a shortage of currency in Italy, the Italian
East African notes were issued into circulation beginning 26
November 1942, and were withdrawn on 30 June 1950.
For later issues, see Eritrea, Ethiopia, Italian Somaliland, and
Somalia.
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Don Ludwig, Luděk Vostal, Tristan
Williams, and others.
Sources
Anonymous. Cartamoneta Italiana web site (www.
cartamonetaitaliana.it).
Anonymous. Catalogo ALFA Della Cartamoneta Italiana. 34a
edizione. 2009. ISBN 88-88032-08-8. ALFA Edizioni (www.
alfaedizioni.it), Via Rovereto, 14/g, 10136 Torino, Italia.
Crapanzano, Guido. Cartamoneta Italiana web site
(www.cartamonetaitaliana.com).
Crapanzano, Guido and Ermelindo Giulianini. La Cartamoneta
Italiana Corpus Notarum Pecuniariarum Italiae Volume primo.
Quarta edizione. 2005. ISBN 88-7770-672-4. Spirali (www.
spirali.com), Via Fratelli Gabba 3, 20121 Milano, Italia.
Gavello, Franco and Claudio Bugani. Gigante 2009 - Cartamoneta
Italiana. 2008. ISBN 978-88-89805-08-4. Gigante edizioni
numismatiche (www.gigante.it), Via Como, 4, I - 21100 Varese
(VA), Italia.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Symes, Peter. “The Bank Notes of Somalia — Part I.” IBNS Journal.
Symes, Peter. “The Bank Notes of Somalia — Part II.” IBNS
Journal. Volume 45 Number 2. p.20.
Symes, Peter. Reference Site for Islamic Banknotes (www.
islamicbanknotes.com).
Revisions

thread.

Ivory Coast Colonie de la Cote d’Ivoire
Africa - Colony of the Ivory Coast)
Gouvernement Général de l’A.O.F. (AOF)
In 1895 France established Afrique Occidentale Française

d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Dahomey (now Benin), French Guinea,
Volta (now Burkina Faso).

1
Maurice-Pierre Lapalud
Jean-Baptiste Marie Peytral
Banque du Sénégal (Bank of Senegal) banknotes were in use

in French West Africa until 1901 when the Banque de l’Afrique
Issuer Starting Number Occidentale was established and began issuing its own notes. Due
to the severe shortage of coinage in the colonies due to World War
Gouvernement Général de l’A.O.F. (GOV)...............................B101 I, on 11 February 1917 a special decree was passed allowing for
Monetary System although not all denominations were printed for all of the colonies.
1 franc = 100 centimes The design of the emergency notes depicted a French coin

General Government of French West Africa 1917 Emergency Issues The Banknote Book: Ivory Coast
B101 (P1): 50 centimes VG VF UNC

Orange and black. Front: French text; 50-centime coin. Back: French text. No security
thread. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Gorée. — Imp. Gouvt Génal. 82 x 55 mm. Paper.
□ a. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. Sig. 1: Peytral/Lapalud. 40 100 200
Wmk: Bee pattern.
4.5-mm tall s/n. 23-mm wide imprint.
Series A.1 - A.50.
□ b. 3.5-mm tall s/n. 26-mm wide imprint. 40 100 200
Series A.51 - D.100.
□ c. Wmk: Laurel leaf pattern. 40 100 200
Series E.1 - G.100, M.1 - Z.100, A1.1 - D1.100.
□ d. Wmk: None. 29-mm wide imprint. 40 100 200
Series H.1 - L.100.
□ br. Series B.6; no s/n. — — —
B103 (P3): 2 francs VG VF UNC

Red and black. Front: French text; 2-franc coin. Back: French text. No security thread.
Watermark: Bee pattern. Printer: Gorée. — Imp. Gouvt Génal. 130 x 85 mm. Paper.
□ a. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. Sig. 1: Peytral/Lapalud. — — —
Series A.1 - A.13.
□ ar. Series A; no s/n. — — —
B102 (P2): 1 franc VG VF UNC

Yellow, green, and black. Front: French text; 1-franc coin. Back: French text. No security
thread. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Gorée. — Imp. Gouvt Génal. 102 x 66 mm. Paper.
□ a. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. Sig. 1: Peytral/Lapalud. 90 225 450
Wmk: Bee pattern.
4.5-mm tall s/n. 23-mm wide imprint.
Series A.1 - A.50.
□ b. 3.5-mm tall s/n. 26-mm wide imprint. 90 225 450
Series A.51 - B.75.
□ c. Wmk: Laurel leaf pattern. 90 225 450
Series B.75 - D.75, I.76 - R.75.
□ d. Wmk: None. Series D.76 - I.75. 90 225 450
□ br. Series A.58; no s/n. — — —

The Banknote Book: Ivory Coast General Government of French West Africa 1943 Emergency Issues
1920 Emergency Postage Stamp Issues 1943 Emergency Issues
These emergency issues of postage stamps affixed to cardboard These emergency notes were issued pursuant to decree of 18
and overprinted Valeur d’échange (exchange value) were issued January 1943, and eventually demonetized pursuant to decree 1015
pursuant to decrees of 14 March and 20 June 1920. of 4 April 1945. These notes are not signed, but rather the officials’
names are printed below their titles: Le Gouverneur, H. Deschamps
and Le Trésorier-Payeur, L. Geismar.
B104 (P4): 5c = 0 fr. 05 (5 centimes) VG VF UNC

Green and black. Front: Horizontal black Valeur d’échange 0 fr. 05 overprint; French text;
carved figure with raised arms; two men paddling three passengers in canoe on river.
Back: Reversed Valeur d’échange 0 fr. 05 overprint. No security thread. Watermark: None.
Printer: (Unknown). 50 x 32 mm. Paper (perforate).
□ a. No date. No sig. No s/n. Intro: 1920. 25 50 100 B107 (P6A): 50 centimes (demonetized 04.04.1945) VG VF UNC
Yellow and dark blue. Front: French text; elephant head. Back: French text; denomination.
No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). 90 x 50 mm. Paper.
□ a. 1943. No sig. 1,000,000 notes. Intro: 1943. — — —

Red and black. Front: Horizontal black Valeur d’échange 0 fr. 10 overprint; French text;
Back: Reversed Valeur d’échange 0 fr. 10 overprint. No security thread. Watermark: None.
Printer: (Unknown). 50 x 32 mm. Paper (perforate).
□ a. No date. No sig. No s/n. Intro: 1920. 25 55 110
B108 (P7): 1 franc (demonetized 04.04.1945) VG VF UNC

□ a. No date. No sig. 1,500,000 notes. Intro: 1943. F 3,800 — —
Blue and black. Front: Horizontal black Valeur d’échange 0 fr. 25 overprint; French text;
Back: Blank. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). 50 x 32 mm.
Paper (perforate).
□ a. No date. No sig. No s/n. Intro: 1920. 30 60 120
B109 (P8): 2 francs (demonetized 04.04.1945) VG VF UNC

□ a. No date. No sig. 500,000 notes. Intro: 1943. — — —

General Government of French West Africa 1943 Emergency Issues The Banknote Book: Ivory Coast
Looking Forward
For later issues, see French West Africa.
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Georges Bayle, Compagnie Generale
De Bourse (www.CGB.fr), David Jones, Peter Mosselberger (www.
banknote.ws), Michel Muszynski, Ibrahim Salem, Frank van Tiel,
and others.
Sources
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions
01.06.2018: added illustration for B107
25.05.2018: added series ranges for B101 - B103; deleted listing for
B101e

thread.

Banka Provizore e Republikës së
Kosovo Kosovës
For earlier issues, see Serbia and Yugoslavia.
(Kosovo Republic Bank Commission)
0 20 miles
0 20 km
The post-World War II Yugoslav constitution established the
SERBIA
Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within the Yugoslav
constituent republic of Serbia. On 2 July 1990 a majority of
Leposavić
members of the Kosovo Assembly passed a resolution declaring
the Republic of Kosovo within the Yugoslav Federation; in
September 1991 (after the dissolution of the Assembly by Serbia)
Mitrovica
MONTENEGRO
Podujevë
they passed a constitution which would have given the republic
Vushtrri effective sovereignty; in September 1992 they declared the republic
Skenderaj
a sovereign and independent state. However, long-term severe
Istog
Peć
Klinë
Obiliq
Pristina
ethnic tensions between Kosovo’s Albanian and Serb populations
Glogovac Kamenicë
left Kosovo ethnically divided, resulting in inter-ethnic violence,
Deqan KOSOVO
Lipjan
Gnjilane
including the Kosovo War which started on 28 February 1998.
Junik
Rahovec
Ferizaj 1999 Provisional Issues
Gjakovë
Viti
Prizren Kaçanik These notes were privately produced by American banknote

dealer Joe Lang specifically for the collectors’ market, with 10% of
Dragas
the profits going to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent
ALBANIA Skopje
to help with relief efforts in Kosovo.
The horizontal black overprint— Prishtinë, 1 prill 1999—at
MACEDONIA upper left front is in Albanian, and indicates that the notes were
to be issued in Pristina, the capital and largest city of Kosovo, on 1
April 1999.
Issuer Starting Number
Banka Provizore e Republikës së Kosovës (BPRK).....................B101
Monetary System
1 denar = 100 deni

Kosovo Republic Bank Commission 1999 Provisional Issues The Banknote Book: Kosovo
B103 (PNL): 50 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC

B101 (PNL): 10 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC
Brown. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text; man and women picking
Purple. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text overprints; man and women tobacco leaves. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; Ilinden monument in Kruševo. No
picking tobacco leaves. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; Ilinden monument in security thread. Watermark: Horizontal line pattern. Printer: (11 October). 145 x 77 mm.
Kruševo. No security thread. Watermark: Horizontal line pattern. Printer: (11 October). Paper.
145 x 77 mm. Paper. □ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 8
□ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 8 □ as. Diagonal red MODEL ovpt front/back; — — —
□ as. Diagonal red MODEL ovpt front/back; — — 0.25 normal s/n struck through; s/n 000000.
normal s/n struck through; s/n 000000.
Overprinted on Macedonia B103.
B102 (PNL): 25 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC B104 (PNL): 100 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC
Red. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text; man and women picking Dark blue. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text; man and women picking
tobacco leaves. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; Ilinden monument in Kruševo. No tobacco leaves. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; Ilinden monument in Kruševo. No
security thread. Watermark: Horizontal line pattern. Printer: (11 October). 145 x 77 mm. security thread. Watermark: Horizontal line pattern. Printer: (11 October). 145 x 77 mm.
Paper. Paper.
□ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 8 □ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 8
□ as. Diagonal red MODEL ovpt front/back; — — — □ as. Diagonal red MODEL ovpt front/back; — — —
normal s/n struck through; s/n 000000. normal s/n struck through; s/n 000000.
Overprinted on Macedonia B102. Overprinted on Macedonia B104.

The Banknote Book: Kosovo Kosovo Republic Bank Commission 1999 Provisional Issues
B105 (PNL): 500 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC B107 (PNL): 5,000 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC
Green. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text; man and women picking Reddish brown. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text; woman typing on
tobacco leaves. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; Ilinden monument in Kruševo. No computer keyboard. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; Ilinden monument in Kruševo.
security thread. Watermark: Horizontal line pattern. Printer: (11 October). 145 x 77 mm. No security thread. Watermark: Vertical line pattern. Printer: (11 October). 145 x 77 mm.
Paper. Paper.
□ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 9 □ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 15
□ as. Diagonal red MODEL ovpt front/back; — — — Overprinted on Macedonia B107.
B108 (PNL): 10,000 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC

Violet. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text; Church of Saint Sofia in
B106 (PNL): 1,000 dinarë (denars) VG VF UNC Ohrid. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; male dancers; Ilinden monument in Kruševo.
Blue. Front: Black double-headed eagle and Albanian text; man and women picking No security thread. Watermark: Horizontal line pattern. Printer: (11 October). 145 x 77
tobacco leaves. Back: Black Albanian text overprints; Ilinden monument in Kruševo. No mm. Paper.
security thread. Watermark: Horizontal line pattern. Printer: (11 October). 145 x 77 mm. □ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 20
Paper. Overprinted on Macedonia B108.
□ a. 1 prill 1999. No sig. — — 15
□ as. Diagonal red MODEL ovpt front/back; — — —

Kosovo Republic Bank Commission 1999 Provisional Issues The Banknote Book: Kosovo
Looking Forward
The Kosovo war ended 11 June 1999 after a NATO military
intervention forced the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to withdraw
its troops from Kosovo, which became a UN protectorate under
UNSCR 1244. Kosovo is a partially recognized state that declared
its independence from Serbia in February 2008 as the Republic of
Kosovo. While Serbia recognizes the republic’s governance of the
territory, it continues to claim it as its own Autonomous Province of
Kosovo and Metohija.
For later issues, see European Monetary Union.
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Thomas Augustsson, Joe Lang, Ryan
Vuong, Tristan Williams, and others.
Sources
Schmidt, Tracy L. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern
Issues, 1961-Present. 23rd edition. 2017. ISBN 978-1-4402-
4795-8. Krause Publications (www.krausebooks.com), 700 East
Viščević, Zlatko. Coins and Banknotes of Yugoslavia, Slovenia,
Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and
Macedonia. 2nd edition. 2011. ISBN 978-953-5689-0-3.
Revisions
23.10.2019: corrected introductory text

thread.

Leeward Islands 1921 Issues
Government of the Leeward Islands (GOV)..............................B101
Monetary System
1 Leeward Islands pound = 20 shillings = 240 pence
Government of the Leeward Islands

Government of the Leeward Islands (GLI)
The Leeward Islands are a group of islands in the West Indies.

They are the northern islands of the Lesser Antilles chain. As
a group they start east of Puerto Rico and reach southward to
Dominica. They are situated where the northeastern Caribbean Sea
meets the western Atlantic Ocean. The more southerly part of the
Lesser Antilles chain is called the Windward Islands. B101 (PNL): 2 shillings 6 pence VG VF UNC
The British Leeward Islands was a British colony existing Purple, olive green, and blue. Front: English text; King George V. Back: Coat of arms.
No security thread. Watermark: Diamond pattern. Printer: THOS. DE LA RUE & CO LTD
between 1833 and 1960, and consisting of Antigua, Barbuda, the
LONDON. 138 x 79.5 mm. Paper.
British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla and □ a. 1st January 1921. Sig. 1: Auchinleck/Griffith. — — —
(to 1940) Dominica. Prefix A/1. Unconfirmed.
The previous colony of the Leeward Islands had existed since □ ap. Separate uniface front/back proofs; no sig.; — — —
1671, but in 1816 it was divided in two, with Antigua, Barbuda and no s/n.
Montserrat in one colony, and Saint Christopher, Nevis, Anguilla,
□ as. Horizontal CANCELLED perf; horizontal purple — — —
SPECIMEN stamp lower right front;
and the Virgin Islands in another. s/n A/2 000000.
The British Leeward Islands was reformed in 1833, with the
governor of Antigua serving as governor until 1871. The colony
became known as the Federal Colony of the Leeward Islands from
1871 to 1956, and the Territory of the Leeward Islands from 1956
to 1960.
In 1921, the British colonies in the West Indies were governed
collectively as the Leeward Islands, and the Government of the
Leeward Islands (GOV) issued its own banknotes, similar in design
to those from St. Lucia.

COMMISSIONERS OF CURRENCY
1
William Douglas Auchinleck Francis William Griffith

Red, gray, and green. Front: English text; King George V. Back: Coat of arms. No security
thread. Watermark: Diamond pattern. Printer: THOS. DE LA RUE & CO LTD LONDON. 138
x 79.5 mm. Paper.
□ a. 1st January 1921. Sig. 1: Auchinleck/Griffith. — F —
Prefix A/1. Intro: 06.07.1921. 12,000
SPECIMEN stamp lower right front;
s/n A/1 000000.

Government of the Leeward Islands 1921 Issues The Banknote Book: Leeward Islands
Looking Forward
For later issues, see British Caribbean Territories and East
Caribbean States.
Acknowledgements
and with the generous assistance of Arthur Gearing (De La Rue),
Lockdales (www.Lockdales.com), and others.
Sources
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions
Green, light blue, and orange-brown. Front: English text; King George V. Back: Coat of Share Your Input, Info, and Images
arms. No security thread. Watermark: Diamond pattern. Printer: THOS. DE LA RUE & CO This catalog is believed to be complete and correct as of the
LTD LONDON. 138 x 79.5 mm. Paper. time of publication. Please report errors or omissions so that
□ a. 1st January 1921. Sig. 1: Auchinleck/Griffith. — F —
Prefix A/1. Intro: 06.07.1921. 12,500
□ as. Horizontal CANCELLED perf; horizontal purple — — — name or location of anything depicted on a note, please share that
SPECIMEN stamp lower right front; information. Furthermore, if you own an unlisted type or variety,
s/n A/1 000000. please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
On 14 July 2012, Lockdales sold note A/1 00001 in About Fine condition for US$18,000. be documented. Scans should be 300 dots per inch, 100% actual
Warning: In 2007, Fan-T-C Graphix created a fantasy 1-pound input@banknotenews.com. Be sure to fully describe all attributes
Leeward Islands note in the same style as the authentic notes of of the note which are not apparent upon visual inspection of the
lower denominations. No genuine 1-pound note is known to exist. images alone, such as physical dimension, watermark, and security
thread.

Fürstentum Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein (Principality of Liechtenstein)
For earlier issues, see Austria. Fürstentum Liechtenstein (FL)
FL Signature Varieties
Landtagspräsident Landesverweser
(State Parliament) (Provincial Administrator)
1
Karl Prinz Liechtenstein

Fried Walser
These small-change notes without serial numbers were issued as

an emergency measure to supplement the coins then available in
denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, and 20 kronen.
B101 (P1): 10 heller VG VF UNC

Red and blue. Front: German text; crowned coat of arms. Back (vertical): Houses. No
□ a. No date. Sig. 1: Walser/Liechtenstein. No s/n. 1 5 19
Intro: 1920.

Red and blue. Front: German text; crowned coat of arms. Back: Vaduz Castle (official
residence of the Prince of Liechtenstein). No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer:
(Unknown). 70 x 45 mm. Paper.
Intro: 1920.
Fürstentum Liechtenstein (FL)..................................................B101
Monetary System
1898 - 1921: 1 Liechtenstein krone = 100 heller

Red and blue. Front (vertical): German text; crowned coat of arms. Back (vertical): Town
scene with houses on hill, street, water well, and telephone lines. No security thread.
Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). 55 x 80 mm. Paper.
Intro: 1920.

Principality of Liechtenstein 1920 Emergency Issues The Banknote Book: Liechtenstein
Looking Forward
Beginning in 1924, the Swiss franc has been the sole legal tender
in Liechtenstein. For later issues, see Switzerland.
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Wally Myers, Mikhail “Mike” Prizov,
and others.
Sources
Dodds, William. “Multi-lingual Bank Notes.” IBNS Journal.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions

thread.

Nagorno- ԼԵՌՆԱՅԻՆ ՂԱՐԱԲԱՂ
ՀԱՆՐԱՊԵՏՈՒԹՅՈՒՆ
Karabakh (Nagorno-Karabakh Republic)
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)
The Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) is a de facto

For earlier issues, see Azerbaijan.
independent republic which controls most of the territory of the
former Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) and
several Azerbaijani districts adjacent to the borders of Azerbaijan
with Armenia to the west and Iran to the south.
The predominantly Armenian-populated region of Nagorno-
Karabakh became disputed between Armenia and Azerbaijan when
both countries gained independence from the Russian Empire in
1918. After the Soviet Union established its control over the area,
in 1923 it created the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast
within the Azerbaijan SSR. In the final years of the Soviet Union,
the region re-emerged as a source of dispute between Armenia
and Azerbaijan, culminating in a large-scale ethnic conflict and,
eventually, in the Nagorno-Karabakh War that was fought from
1991 to 1994.
On 10 December 1991, as the Soviet Union was dissolving, a
referendum held in the NKAO and the neighboring Shahumian
region resulted in a declaration of independence from Azerbaijan
as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The country remains
diplomatically unrecognized by UN-member states, including
Armenia. However, Trans-Dniester, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia, all
UN non-member states, recognize the state.
Issuer Starting Number Since 1994, most of the territory of the former Nagorno-
Karabakh Autonomous Oblast and several regions of Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR).........................................B101 around it remain under joint Armenian and Nagorno-Karabakh
military control. Representatives of the governments of Armenia
and Azerbaijan have since been holding peace talks mediated by the
Monetary System OSCE Minsk Group.
1 Nagorno-Karabakh dram (NKD) = 100 luma A referendum held on 20 February 2017 changed the official
name to the Republic of Artsakh, or Artsakh Republic.
NKR Signature Varieties

Minister of Economy and Finance
1
Spartak Tevosian

Nagorno-Karabakh Republic 2004 Issues The Banknote Book: Nagorno Karabakh
2004 Issues
These notes were printed by Österreichische Staatsdruckerei, on

order from Educational Coin Company, a numismatic wholesale
firm in Highland, New York, working in conjunction with the
government of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. The notes (and
related coins) were produced primarily for sale to collectors, as well
as to garner international publicity and assert a national identity.
These notes are denominated in Nagorno-Karabakh dram,
which is on par with the Armenian dram. Although legal tender,
these banknotes are rarely used in everyday commerce due to their
low face value. Instead, Armenian currency circulates within the
Nagorno-Karabakh Republic.
B102 (PNL): 10 ԴՐԱՄ (dram) (<US$0.05) VG VF UNC

Bluish-green. Front: Armenian text; coat of arms; Jesus holding gospels and raising hand
in benediction; Dadivank monastery in Shahumian district. Back: Armenian text; ancient
Hudaferin bridge; wine barrel with bunch of grapes; Karabakh carpet; coat of arms. No
security thread. Watermark: SECURITY PRINT by ÖSD pattern. Printer: (Österreichische
Staatsdruckerei). 165 x 90 mm. Paper.
□ a. 2004. Sig. 1: Tevosian. Intro: Mid-2004. — — 0.75
□ as1. Diagonal black hollow ՆՄՈԻՇ ovpt front; — — —
s/n 00000000.
□ as2. No ovpt; no perf; s/n 00000000. — — 3.50
B101 (PNL): 2 ԴՐԱՄ (dram) (<US$0.01) VG VF UNC

Reddish-brown. Front: Armenia text; coat of arms; Gandzasar (treasure mountain)
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Mardakert district; Saint Gregory the Illuminator.
Back: Armenia text; bas-relief of crucifix with Jesus and kneeling Holy Virgin and John
the Baptist under the gable of the cathedral’s western wall; John baptizing Jesus; coat
of arms. No security thread. Watermark: SECURITY PRINT by ÖSD pattern. Printer:
(Österreichische Staatsdruckerei). 150 x 80 mm. Paper.
□ a. 2004. Sig. 1: Tevosian. Intro: Mid-2004. — — 0.75
□ as1. Diagonal black hollow ՆՄՈԻՇ ovpt front; — — —
s/n 00000000.
□ as2. No ovpt; no perf; s/n 00000000. — — 3.50

The Banknote Book: Nagorno Karabakh Nagorno-Karabakh Republic 2004 Issues
Looking Forward
For later issues, see Armenia.
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Thomas Augustsson, Educational
Coin Company (www.EducationalCoin.com), Mehdi Kasumov,
Robert Mol, Christoph Thomas, and others.
Sources
Airapetian, Arutiun and Marcelo Gryckiewicz. Transcaucasian
Banknotes. 2009. ISBN 978-3-86646-812-2. H. Gietl Verlag &
Publikationsservice GmbH (www.gietl-verlag.de).
Schmidt, Tracy L. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern
Issues, 1961-Present. 23rd edition. 2017. ISBN 978-1-4402-
4795-8. Krause Publications (www.krausebooks.com), 700 East
Revisions

thread.

Japanese Government
Oceania These four notes, officially “Foreign Denomination Military
For earlier issues, see Gilbert and Ellice Islands.
Certificates,” were issued by Japanese forces soon after they invaded
New Britain on 23 January 1942, and New Guinea on 8 March,
and were declared the sole legal tender in the British South Pacific
territories (Gilbert Islands, New Britain, New Guinea, and Solomon
Islands) on 14 March 1943. These notes bear the imprint of the
Greater Japan Imperial Government in Japanese text at lower center
front. All of these notes have series letters starting with the letter O.
These notes are often collectively referred to as “JIM” for Japanese
Invasion Money.
1/4-shilling notes have been reported but are fakes. Souvenir
copies of the official notes were printed in Australia during World
War II with red REPLICA overprinted on the back, so be on the
lookout for evidence of erasures.
The Japanese Government (JG)
1942 Occupation Issues
Japanese Government (GOV)...................................................B101
Monetary System
1 Oceanian pound = 20 shillings
Series/Prefixes
range have been verified; it’s possible that the printer skipped some B101 (P1): 1/2 shilling VG VF UNC
letters/numbers for unknown reasons. Also, there may be cross-overs Purple. Front: English and Japanese text; coat of arms; palm trees at shore. Back:
(i.e. the same series/prefix appears on different types or varieties), Guilloche patterns. No security thread. Watermark: Pattern. Printer: 府政國帝本日大
(Greater Japan Imperial Government). 121 x 58 mm. Paper.
therefore the series/prefixes shouldn’t be used as the sole determining □ a. No date. No sig. No s/n. Series OA, OB, OC 1 4 15
factor in identifying a note. (printed 45 mm apart). Intro: Mid-1942.
□ b. Series OC (printed 35 mm apart). — — —
□ bs. Vertical red 見本 ovpt front. — — —

Japanese Government 1942 Occupation Issues The Banknote Book: Oceania
B102 (P2): 1 shilling VG VF UNC

Blue and light green. Front: English and Japanese text; breadfruit tree; coat of arms; palm
trees at shore. Back: Guilloche patterns. No security thread. Watermark: Pattern. Printer:
府政國帝本日大 (Greater Japan Imperial Government). 141 x 68 mm. Paper. B104 (P4): 1 pound VG VF UNC
□ a. No date. No sig. No s/n. Series OA, OB, OC. 1 4 15 Green and light blue. Front: English and Japanese text; tree with fruit; coat of arms; palm
Intro: Mid-1942. trees at shore. Back: English text; guilloches. No security thread. Watermark: Pattern.
□ as. Vertical red 見本 ovpt front. — — — Printer: 府政國帝本日大 (Greater Japan Imperial Government). 163 x 77 mm. Paper.
□ a. No date. No sig. No s/n. Series OA. 1 5 20
Intro: Mid-1942.
□ as1. Two vertical red 見本 ovpts front; no ovpt back. — — —
□ as2. Two vertical red 見本 ovpts front; diagonal red — — —
script Specimen 115-mm wide ovpt back.
□ as3. Two vertical red 見本 ovpts front; horizontal red — — —
script Specimen 70-mm wide ovpt back.

Brown. Front: English and Japanese text; palm trees with coconuts; coat of arms; palm
trees at shore; coconuts. Back: Guilloche patterns. No security thread. Watermark:
Pattern. Printer: 府政國帝本日大 (Greater Japan Imperial Government). 151 x 71 mm.
Paper.
□ a. No date. No sig. No s/n. Series OA. 3 12 50
Intro: Mid-1942.
□ as. Two vertical red 見本 ovpts front. — — —

The Banknote Book: Oceania Japanese Government 1942 Occupation Issues
Looking Forward
For later issues, see Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Acknowledgements
and with the generous assistance of Wally Myers, Stack’s Bowers &
Ponterio (www.StacksBowers.com), and others.
Sources
Fujita, Kazuya. “Japanese Military Currency (1937 -1945):
Quantities Printed And Issued.” IBNS Journal. Volume 42
Number 2. p.18.
James, Tony. “Australian Army Claimed JIM Replicas as Proof of
Invasion Plan.” IBNS Journal. Volume 51 Number 4. p.39.
Nader, A. F. and Barry Kessell. “Updating the JIM Series: Burma
and Oceania.” IBNS Journal. Volume 16 Number 2. p.71.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Schwan, C. Frederick and Joseph E. Boling. World War II
Remembered / history in your hands, a numismatic study. 1st
edition. 1995. ISBN 0-931960-40-1. BNR Press, 132 East
Second Street, Port Clinton, OH 43452-1115. (419) 732-6683.
Tan, Steven. Standard Catalogue of Malaysia Singapore Brunei Coin
& Paper Money. 18th edition. 2007. ISBN 983-9650-02-05.
International Stamp & Coin Sn. Bhd., 2.4 & 2.5, Pertama
Shopping Complex, 2nd Floor, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman,
50100 Kaula Lumpur, Malaysia.
Revisions
14.04.2017: added printer imprints throughout

thread.

State Bank of the Riff
Rif Republic
For earlier issues, see Morocco. 1923 Issues
These notes were produced by Captain Charles Alfred Paroy

Gardiner, known as “Percy,” a British arms smuggler and confidant
The Pick cross-references in this chapter are from the Morocco of Abdel Krim, emir of the Rif Republic. The former managing
chapter of the SCWPM; Krause does not treat the Rif Republic as a director of the Gardiner Shipbuilding and Engineering Co. of Poole,
separate entity. in Dorset, England, by 1923 he was styling himself the Minister
Plenipotentiary for the Government of the Riff. At the same time,
The Rif Republic, officially the Confederal Republic of the Tribes negotiating for mining concessions in the Rif Republic, he saw
of the Rif, was a republic in northern Morocco that existed between an opportunity to raise money through the creation of a central
1921 and 1926 with its capital in Ajdir. bank, the State Bank of the Riff (SBR), and to this end prepared
As a result of the 1904 Anglo-French Agreement and the a banknote issue. Note that the name of the bank has the republic
1912 Franco-Spanish Treaty, the former Moorish Empire of spelled as Riff, rather than Rif, a spelling used by Gardiner on other
Morocco came under the control of France and Spain. The French occasions. Although delivered to the Rif Republic, the notes were
administered the majority of the country, with the Spanish Zone apparently unissued. Some were taken as souvenirs by Spanish
limited to a strip of the northern coast, sandwiched between military personnel after the fall of the republic in 1926.
their enclaves (presidios) of Ceuta and Melilla. This Spanish Zone Both notes in this series carry the name of the issuer in Arabic
consisted of two main tribal areas, Jibala in the west and Rif in the and English, and the denomination in Arabic, English, and French.
east. The date appears in Gregorian form only. They carry two crescent
Over the ensuing decade, hatred towards the Spanish colonizers moon and star motifs, used on the flag of the Rif Republic, as well
grew. In three major battles in 1921, a few thousand Rifi and as two gun-wielding tribesmen on horseback. They are notable in
Jibala tribesmen, led by Abdel Krim and his brother M’hommad, being tri-denominational in Rif riffans, British pence, and French
killed approximately 17,000 Spanish troops. Independence was francs d’or.
proclaimed on 18 September 1921, Krim declared emir in February
1922, and the Rif Republic formally constituted on 1 February
1923.
State Bank of the Riff (SBR) .....................................................B101
Monetary System
1 Rif Republic riffan = 1/24 pound sterling = 1 franc d’or
B101 (PR1): 1 riffan = 10 English pence = 1 franc d’or VG VF UNC
Red. Front: Arabic, English, and French text; crescent moon and star; tribesmen on
horseback. Back: Blank. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). 165 x
95 mm. Paper.
□ a. 10.10.23. No sig. 6-digit s/n. Unissued. 35 100 300
B102 (PR2): 5 riffans = 50 English pence = 5 francs d’or VG VF UNC

Pale green. Front: Arabic, English, and French text; crescent moon and star; tribesmen on
horseback. Back: Blank. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (Unknown). 165 x
95 mm. Paper.
□ a. 10.10.23. No sig. 6-digit s/n. Unissued. 30 90 275

State Bank of the Riff 1923 Issues The Banknote Book: Rif Republic
Looking Forward
On 27 May 1926, Krim’s forces were finally defeated by an
Franco-Spanish alliance and the territory returned to the control of
the Spanish Zone. Krim was exiled to the French island of Reunion
from 1926 to 1947, ultimately dying in Cairo, Egypt on 6 February
1963. For later issues, see Morocco.
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Peter Symes and others.
Sources
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Shneydor, N. A. “Letters to the Editor: Dual Denominations on
Banknotes.” IBNS Journal. Volume 55 Number 3. p.8.
Symes, Peter. “The Notes of the Rif Revolt.” IBNS Journal. Volume
41 Number 3. p.40.
Revisions

thread.

Government of Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia The Government of St. Lucia (GSL)
From 1851, the British pound circulated in Saint Lucia,

replacing the Saint Lucia livre. Sometime after 1882, private
banknotes, denominated in dollars, began to be issued on the island.
From 1920, some of these notes also bore the value in sterling, with
1 dollar = 4 shillings 2 pence. During this period, no subdivision of
the dollar was issued and British coins continued to circulate.
Caribbean Sea
The Government of Saint Lucia (GOV) issued only two
denominations of sterling notes in 1920.

Administrator Colonial Treasurer
1
Castries
Wilfred Bennett Davidson-Houston

George Douglas Mackie
Dennery
Canaries
SAINT LUCIA
Soufrière
Micoud
Laborie
Vieux Fort
Caribbean Sea
0 5 miles
0 5 km
Government of Saint Lucia (GOV)...........................................B101
Monetary System
1 Saint Lucia pound = 20 shillings

Government of Saint Lucia 1920 Issues The Banknote Book: Saint Lucia
1920 Issues Looking Forward

Three private banks—Barclays Bank, Colonial Bank, and Royal
The English translation of the Latin motto in the coat of arms on Bank of Canada—issued notes in Saint Lucia, some as late as 1940.
the back of these notes is “A Safe Harbor for Ships.” For later government issues, see British Caribbean Territories (1950-
1964) and East Caribbean States (1965-present).
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Arthur Gearing (De La Rue), Olov
Olofsson, Andrew Pattison (Spink), and others.
Sources
Ryan, Michael. “Canadian Banknote for the British West Indies.”
IBNS Journal. Volume 58 Number 1, p. 22.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions
Violet, green, and blue. Front: English text; King George V. Back: Coat of arms with flag,
pennant, mountainous islands, and banner with Latin motto SATIO HAUD MALEFIDA Share Your Input, Info, and Images
CARINIS. No security thread. Watermark: Geometric pattern. Printer: THOS. DE LA RUE This catalog is believed to be complete and correct as of the
& CO LTD LONDON. 140 x 78 mm. Paper. time of publication. Please report errors or omissions so that
□ a. 1st October 1920. — — — corrections may be made. If you can more precisely identify the
Sig. 1: Davidson-Houston/Mackie. Prefix A/1.
□ as. Horizontal CANCELLED perf; horizontal purple name or location of anything depicted on a note, please share that
— — 49,000
SPECIMEN ovpt lower right front; information. Furthermore, if you own an unlisted type or variety,
s/n A/1 000000. please submit scans of the front and back of the note so that it can
thread.

Green, gray, and brown. Front: English text; King George V. Back: Coat of arms with flag,
pennant, mountainous islands, and banner with Latin motto SATIO HAUD MALEFIDA
CARINIS. No security thread. Watermark: Geometric pattern. Printer: THOS. DE LA RUE
& CO LTD LONDON. 140 x 78 mm. Paper.
□ a. 1st October 1920. — — —
Sig. 1: Davidson-Houston/Mackie. Prefix A/1.
SPECIMEN ovpt lower right front;
s/n A/1 000000.

Cassa di Risparmio
San Marino della Repubblica di San Marino
For earlier issues, see Italy.
(Savings Bank
of the Republic of San Marino)
Issuer Starting Number Founded on 1 January 1882, Cassa di Risparmio della
Repubblica di San Marino (Italian: Savings Bank
Cassa di Risparmio della Repubblica di San Marino (CDR)......B101 of the Republic of San Marino, CDR) is the oldest bank based in
San Marino, an enclaved microstate (current population: 33,000)
surrounded by Italy. As of 2015, it is also the largest bank in San
Monetary System
Marino, consisting of 16 branches and operating as both a retail and
1861: 1 Sammarinese lira (SML) = 100 centesimo
commercial bank for San Marino citizens and as an offshore private
01.01.2002: 1 euro (EUR) = 100 cents
bank for non-resident clients.
For more information, visit www.carisp.sm.
Italian Months of the Year
Gennaio (January) Febbraio (February) Marzo (March) CDR Signature Varieties
Aprile (April) Maggio (May) Giugno (June) 1
Luglio (July) Agosto (August) Settembre (September)
Ottobre (October) Novembre (November) Dicembre (December)
Unknown

Savings Bank of the Republic of San Marino 1976 Issues The Banknote Book: San Marino
1976 Issues Looking Forward

For later issues, see Italy and European Monetary Union.
The Sammarinese lira—equivalent to the Italian lira—was the
currency of San Marino from 1861 until the introduction of the Acknowledgements
euro on 1 January 2002. Italian coins and banknotes and Vatican This chapter was compiled in collaboration with Mark Irwin
City coins were legal tender in San Marino, while Sammarinese and with the generous assistance of Andrea Bossi, David Jones, Bill
coins, minted in Rome, were legal tender throughout Italy, as well as Stubkjaer, Wally Myers, and others.
in Vatican City.
These so-called miniassegni (minichecks) were issued in 1976 Sources
to alleviate a coin shortage affecting all of Italy, although they Carlson, K. C. C. “Paper Money of Sardinia.” IBNS Journal.
circulated in San Marino only. Miniassegni from other institutions Volume 37 Number 3. p.27.
were created specifically for collectors. Schmidt, Tracy L. Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General
The Italian text at center front of each note is identical, except Issues, 1368-1960. 16th edition. 2016. ISBN 978-1-4402-4707-
for the denomination: A vista la Cassa di Risparmio della Rep. di S. 1. Krause Publications (www.krausebooks.com), 700 East State
Marino pagherà al Sig. PORTATORE DEL PRESENTE ASSEGNO St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Lire CENTOCINQUANTA or DUECENTO (On sight the Savings
Bank of the Republic of San Marino will pay the bearer of this Revisions
check 150 or 200 lire). The 6-digit serial number in black appears 07.07.2017: updated prices throughout
below the following text at bottom left front: Questo assegno può 20.04.2015: initial publication
circolare solo nella Repubblica di San Marino (This check can
circulate only in the Republic of San Marino). Share Your Input, Info, and Images
B101 (PS101): 150 lire VG VF UNC of the note which are not apparent upon visual inspection of the
Yellow, black, and brown. Front: Italian text; wavy underprint radiating from central coat of
arms. Back: Blank. No security thread. Watermark: Geometric pattern. Printer: (Unknown).
160 x 68 mm. Paper. thread.
□ a. 5 Aprile 1976. Sig. 1: Unknown. — — 20
B102 (PS102): 200 lire VG VF UNC

Green, black, and brown. Front: Italian text; wavy underprint radiating from central coat of
arms. Back: Blank. No security thread. Watermark: Geometric pattern. Printer: (Unknown).
160 x 68 mm. Paper.
□ a. 5 Aprile 1976. Sig. 1: Unknown. — — 25

Upper Senegal Haut-Sénégal - Niger
and Niger Africa - Upper Senegal and Niger)
In 1895 France established Afrique Occidentale Française

Issuer Starting Number d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Dahomey (now Benin), French Guinea,
Gouvernement Général de l’A.O.F. (GOV)...............................B101 Volta (now Burkina Faso).
Monetary System
1 franc = 100 centimes Le Trésorier-Payeur Le Lt-Gouverneur
1
French Months of the Year
Avril (April) Mai (May) Juin (June) Marcel Rouffle
Louis Periquet or
Juillet (July) Août (August) Septembre (September) Charles Désiré Brunet?
Banque du Sénégal (Bank of Senegal) banknotes were in use

in French West Africa until 1901 when the Banque de l’Afrique
Occidentale was established and began issuing its own notes. Due
to the severe shortage of coinage in the colonies due to World War
I, on 11 February 1917 a special decree was passed allowing for
although not all denominations were printed for all of the colonies
(for example, no 1- or 2-franc notes were issued for Upper Senegal
and Niger).
The design of the emergency notes depicted a French coin
B101 (P1ct): 50 centimes VG VF UNC

Dark brown and gray-green. Front: French text; 50-centime coin. Back: French text. No
security thread. Watermark: Laurel leaf pattern. Printer: (Imp. Chaix - Paris). 82 x 55 mm.
Paper.
□ p. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. No sig. No s/n. Unissued. — — —

General Government of French West Africa 1917 Emergency Issues The Banknote Book: Upper Senegal and Niger
Looking Forward
For later issues, see French Sudan.
Acknowledgements
with the generous assistance of Martin Burger, Laurence Pope, and
B102 (P1): 50 centimes VG VF UNC
others.
Brown and tan. Front: French text; 50-centime coin. Back: French text. No security thread.
Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Imp. Chaix - Paris. 82 x 55 mm. Paper. Sources
□ a. 11 FÉVRIER 1917. Sig. 1: Rouffle/Unknown. F 2,250 3,500 7,000 Bayle, Georges. Billets et Tickets d’outre-Mer: Émissions officielles dites
Wmk: Laurel leaf pattern.
Series A.1 - J.100. Intro: 1919.
□ b. Wmk: None. Series K.1 - T.100. F 2,250 3,500 7,000 ISBN 979-10-699-1746-0. Proscan Imprimerie, 35, rue Élémir
Burson, Weldon. “Banknotes of Mali.” IBNS Journal. Volume 48
Number 2. p.28.
St., Iola, WI, 54990-0001.
Revisions
25.05.2018: added series ranges for B102

thread.

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The Banknote Book Samples

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T HE

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Whole numbers are assigned to major note types, which are

The letter a is assigned to the first variety of every type, with

How to reference The Banknote Book numbers

Collectors, dealers, auction houses, grading services, and

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These notes commemorate the 25th anniversary of Victory in the

Abkhazia is a de facto republic with its capital Sukhumi on

Monetary System Acknowledgements

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GOV Signature Varieties

Government of the Cook Islands (GOV)..................................B101

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1894 Issues 1987 Issues

This series, issued primarily to generate revenue from numismatic

B102 (P2): 4 shillings VG VF UNC

B103 (P3): 3 dollars (US$2.40) VG VF UNC

B102.5 (PNL): 10 shillings VG VF UNC

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1987 Numismatic Products

Sets of the 1987 notes with matching serial numbers were

1992 Commemorative Issues

This 3-dollar note commemorates the 6th Festival of Pacific Arts,

B104 (P4): 10 dollars (demonetized) VG VF UNC

B106 (P6): 3 dollars (US$2.40) VG VF UNC

B105 (P5): 20 dollars (demonetized) VG VF UNC

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This new series of notes features a common front design, though

B108 (P8): 10 dollars (demonetized) VG VF UNC

B107 (P7): 3 dollars (US$2.40) VG VF UNC

B109 (P9): 20 dollars (demonetized) VG VF UNC

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The colony of Dahomey was established by France in 1894,

GOV Signature Varieties

1917 Emergency Issues

Banque du Sénégal banknotes were in use in French West

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Banque de l’Indo-Chine (BIC)..................................................B101

Cochinchina Monetary System

French Months of the Year

On 1 September 1858, French and Spanish troops began

The Pick cross-references in this chapter are from the French

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BIC Signature Varieties

1875 (1876 - 1877) Issues

These notes were issued per Décret du 21 Janvier 1875.

B101 (P21): 5 dollars = 5 piastres (withdrawn 1896) VG VF UNC

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In 1895, France established Afrique Occidentale Française

GOV Signature Varieties

1917 Emergency Issues

B101 (PA1): 50 centimes VG VF UNC