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Total commemorative banknotes issued is under 1,500 pieces. If you have achieved any figures close to this, then you are doing extremely well, as many of the older commemorative notes are hard to find even in poor conditions.

Opinion: Many collectors of commemorative banknotes would have come across with those Somaliland sets overprinted with gold and silver texts with the following wordings - 5th Anniversary of Independence 18 May 1996 [Sanad Gurade 5ee Gobanimadda 18 May 1996]. I believe these are "home made" (or fake) and not authorised by the central bank. My argument is simple. No central bank would have issued an overprint commemorative banknote that the texts are so large that it would cover the two signatures on the note as well as part of the serial numbers. Even if these are genuine notes, then these could be issued as souvenir sheets and not as legal tender. As I said before, this is my opinion. If you have paid top dollars for these, please think about my argument. There is always a sucker around the corner, including me of course!

All comments are most welcome but it has to be subjects related to banknotes or banknotes collection. If not, it will not be approved. Thanks

07 May 2024

...Transnistria - 1 Ruble 2007(2023) 100th Anniversary of Gold Chervonets

  Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ
Приднестровская Молдавская Республика
(Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)

Transnistrian Republican Bank
Currency : Ruble (RUP)
 
This is a 1 ruble commemorative overprint banknote issued on 07.09.2023 for the celebration of the 100th Year of Gold Chervonets. The word Chervonets is a Russian name for large foreign and local gold coins. As the word Chervonets is a Russian word, it means 'Red' or 'Rose Gold'. 
 
The minting of the Russian Gold Chervonets was first started in 1923 and 1925. These Gold Chervonets were not sold overseas and most of them were held and retained by the government. Very few of these survive since then as most of them were recast into bars or used for other purposes. The Gold Chervonets when first minted have the face value of 10 Russian roubles. The gold coin has a weight of 8.60 grams and a pure gold content of 7.74 grams. Because of its scarcity, one of these gold coins can fetch around US$7,000+ in today's market.
 
The design of this note is similar to the 1 ruble dated 2007 (released 2012) and with the commemorative logo added to the design on the front. As this is a commemorative limited edition banknote, only 2,500 pieces of these commemorative notes have been printed with 2,490 pieces packed and sold in a simple booklet as numismatic products.

One Ruble
Russian General Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov (b.1730-1800)

Front  - A portrait of the Russian General Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov (b.1730-1800) in military uniform. General Suvorav was a Russian born military hero holding the rank of Field Marshal Generalissimo. He was the fourth Generalissimo of Russia. To the far right is an image of one Gold Chervonets printed on the watermark area. The image of the one Gold Chervonets is showing the reverse side of the coin, with a peasant spreading seeds on the ground (on the obverse side is the Coat of Arms of Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic - RSFSR). On top of the coin is printed with the Russian words - 'ЗОЛОТОМУ ЧЕРВОНЦУ' (Golden Chervonets), and on the bottom '100 ЛЕТ' (100 Years).

Signature - n/a
Watermarks - General Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov and electrotype bank logo
Dimensions - 130mm x 56.5mm

Back - Kitskansk Bridgehead memorial or Chiţcani monument in Chitcani. This monument was built in 1972 (opened 09.05.1972) to commemorate victory against the German invasion during the Second World War in 1944. Chitcani is situated north of Tiraspol, the capital city of Transnistria.
 
Kitskansk Bridgehead memorial or Chiţcani monument in Chitcani

Front Cover
 
Footnotes:-
1) Transnistria is an unrecognised state. However, it is recognised by three other unrecognised states, like Abkhazia (Georgia) Artsakh (Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh), and South Ossetia (Georgia).
2) Independence or secession from Moldova was declared on 02.09.1990.
3) The Government of Transnistria controls a narrow strip of land (4,463 square kilometers) situated between the Dniester river and the Moldova-Ukraine border.
4) Internationally, Transnistria is recognised as part of Moldova.
5) Transnistria first introduced it's own currency on 22.08.1994. 
6) The Transnistria ruble is a non recognised currency outside its territory and as such it is not possible to exchange it into Moldovan lei or any other currencies.
7) Transnistria has a population of less than half a million people, and most people speak the Russian language.

14 April 2024

...Mexico - 20 Pesos Commemorative Polymer Banknotes Dated 05 October 2021

 Estados Unidos Mexicanos
(United Mexican States)

Banco de Mexico (est.1925)
(Bank of Mexico)
Currency : Peso (MXN)
 
Here are the reprints of five banknotes all dated 05.10.2021. These are commemorative notes released to celebrate the Bicentennial of Independence of Mexico from Spanish rule. Independence was achieved  on 27.09.1810. The war for independence started on 16.09.1810.
 
Twenty Pesos
Galia Borja Gonez & Alejandro Alegre Rabiela
 
Front - The note depicts the scene of the arrival of the army of Three Guarantees at Mexico City on 27.09.1821. The Three Guarantees was formed on 24.02.1821 for the purpose of getting independence from Spanish rule. The leader for the independence movement was Agustin de Itubide (b.1783-1824), who then briefly became the Emperor of Mexico from 1822 to 1823. It didn't end up good for him either. He became unpopular and was forced into exile. He then returned to Mexico, arrested and put on trial. He was found guilty by the local legislature and executed on 19.07.1824 by a firing squad. He died at the age of 40 years old.
 
In between the arrival scenes are printed with two flags. The one on the left is the flag of the Three Guarantees (1821-1824), and on the right is the current flag of Mexico. The two year dates of 1821 and 2021 are also printed vertically on the right. These note are all dated 5 OCT 2021 (05.10.2021).
 
Dimensions - 121mm x 65.5mm
 
Twenty Pesos
Alejandro Diaz de Leon Carillo & Alejandro Alegre Rabiela
 
Twenty Pesos
Irene Espinosa Cantellano & Alejandro Alegre Rabiela
 
Twenty Pesos
Jonathan Heath Constable & Alejandro Alegre Rabiela
 
Twenty Pesos
Gerardo Esquivel Hernandez & Alejandro Alegre Rabiela
 
Back - On the back it depicts a Mexican crocodile floating on a mangrove swamp. A crane flying above. The reverse of the note is printed in a vertical format.
 
Crocodile and crane
 

06 April 2024

...Papua New Guines - 50 Kina ND2023 Polymer Commemorative 50th Year of Self-Governing/Independence

   Independent State of Papua New Guinea

Bank of Papua New Guinea (est.1973)
Currency - Kina (PGK)
 
Here is a 50 kina nd2023 polymer commemorative note issued for the celebration of the 50th year of self-governing and independence 1973 - 2023. 
 
Papua New Guinea (PNG) was first occupied by Germany (only the northern part) in 1884, and by the British in the southern part of the island. The country was then given to Australia to administer following the end of the First World War in 1918 when Germany was defeated. On 01.12.1973, the country was granted self-rule by the Australian and Sir Michael Somare (b.1936-2021) became the first Chief Minister. Independence was then achieved on 16.09.1975 and Michael Somare became the first Prime Minister. Michael Somare was also the longest serving Prime Minister of PNG for 17 years over three separate terms, from 1975 to 1980; 1982 to 1985, and from 2002 to 2011. He retired from politics in 2017, and in PNG, he is known as the Father of the Nation. For all banknotes issued since 1975, Michael Somare is the only person to have his portrait appear on the banknotes. His portrait first appeared on the banknote (50 kina only) in 1989.

Fifty Kina
National Parliament building
 
Front - An image of the country's National Parliament in the center. To the top left is the National Crest
 
Governor - Elizabeth Genia* (tenure 2023-)
Secretary, Department of Treasury - Andrew F Oaeke (tenure 2021-)
Dimensions - 146mm x 70.5mm

Back - Portrait of Sir Michael Somare. To his right are Headdress and marks from the regions of:-
1) Bainings (Esat New Britain);
2) The Orokolo (Gulf Province);
3) The Huli (Southern Highlands Province);
4) The Tubuan (East New Britain Province);
5) A West Sepik and a Malagan Mask (New Ireland Province)
6) Karkar spears and Tapa (Oro Province); and
7) Mekeo (Central Province) and Siassi (Morobe Province)
 
Note* - First female bank governor appointed since the Bank of Papua New Guinea was established in 1973.

Sir Michael Somare (b.1936-2021)

04 April 2024

...Myanmar - 500 and 1000 Kyats ND2020 Commemorative

ပြည်ထောင်စု သမ္မတ မြန်မာနိုင်ငံတော်‌
(Republic of the Union of Myanmar)

Central Bank of Myanmar est.1948
Currency : Kyat (MMK)

Here are the two notes both issued in 2020. The 1000 kyats note was issued on 04.01.2020 to coincide with the 72nd Year of Independence anniversary (04.01.1948) from the British. The 500 kyats note was released on 19.07.2020, which is also celebrated as Martyr's Day in Myanmar. This is the day in 1947 when several leaders of Myanmar's (Burma) independence movement were gunned down including their leader Aung San. For this purpose, I have also posted these two notes on my Commemorative site as commemorative issues as well.

Like many of Burma/Myanmar previous issues, this note also features the nation's independent hero, Major General Aung San (1915-1947). Aung San was first a communist, then a revolutionary and then a nationalist. He is considered a national hero for gaining independence of Burma from the British. However, he didn't live to see his achievement as he was assassinated allegedly by Galon U Saw (b.1990-1948) on 19.07.1947. U Saw was the Prime Minister of British Burma from 1940 to 1942. 

Five Hundred Kyats
Major General Aung San (1915-1947)
 
Front - Major General Aung San (1915-1947). His birth name was Htein Lin and was born in Natmauk in central British Burma. He was assassinated in 1947 when he was 32 years old during a cabinet meeting held in Yangon (Rangoon). The assassination was blamed on Galon U Saw who was once the Prime Minister of British Burma from 1940 to 1942. U Saw was then hanged in 1948. However, there were few conspiracy theories regarding Aung San's murder and rumour has it that British officers were involved in the murder. Unfortunately, until now no one knows who ordered the killing. Your guess is as good as mine.
 
Watermark - portrait facing left and electrotype value in Burmese
Dimensions - 152mm x 71mm
 
Back - Central Bank of Myanmar building. The bank was established in 1948 and was previously known as Union Bank of Burma. Its headquarter is based in Nay Pyi Taw (Naypyidaw) and has branches in two other major cities - Yangon and Mandalay

Central Bank of Myanmar building

One Thousand Kyats
Major General Aung San (1915-1947)
 
Front - Major General Aung San (1915-1947).
 
Watermark - portrait facing right and electrotype value in Burmese
Dimensions - 151.5mm x 71.5mm
 
Back - Pyithu Hluttaw building (Parliament) in Naypyitaw (capital city of Myanmar since 2006). The parliament is made up of two houses - House of Nationalities (224 members - Upper House) and House of People's Representatives (440 members - Lower House).

Pyithu Hluttaw complex in Naypyidaw

16 March 2024

...Solomon Islands - 10 Dollars Specimen Commemorative Polymer Note 2023 XVll Pacific Games

 Solomon Islands

Central Bank of Solomon Islands (CBSI) (est.1983)
Currency - Dollar (SBD)
 
I posted the circulating note on 01.03.2024. Here, I have posted the specimen note for the same polymer commemorative series. I have no information as to how many have been printed. As this series is printed by DLR, I would guess the quantity would be between 300 to 500 pieces. It is unlikely they would have printed anything more than that. The specimen note that I have posted here is also printed with a tiny control number on the bottom left corner. However, it is not sure if there are other varieties for this specimen series.

Ten Dollars (Specimen)
Sanfords sea eagle head, billowing flag, Coat of Arms

Front - A Sanford's sea eagle head (Solomon eagle) is printed on the left, which is traditionally the watermark for paper banknotes issued in the Solomon Islands. The Sanford's sea eagle is a native bird of Solomon Islands. The tournament logo illustrates the year 2023, a billowing Solomon Islands flag in the middle. To the right is the Coat of Arms.

Signatures
Governor - Dr Luke Forau
Secretary, Minister of Finance - McKinie P Dentana
Watermark - Electrotype CBSI
Dimensions - 137mm x 68mm

Back - Various sporting events, depicting from left to right: man running with a rugby ball in his right hand, two men playing in a basketball game, woman lifting weight, footballer, athlete and bodybuilder posing.
 

Six sports - soccer, weight lifting, marathon, bodybuilding, rugby and basketball