...Oman - 50 Rials Dated 2020 Hybrid Commemorative Banknote Reprint (Released 2024)

  سلطنة عُمان

(Sultanate of Oman)

البنك المركزي العماني

(Central Bank of Oman, Est 1974)

Currency : Rial (OMR)

 

This is a reprint of the 50 rials Hybrid note first issued in 2020. This note was initially issued as a commemorative note for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the rise of the Modern Omani Renaissance, and also in memory of its founder, the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur (b.1940-2020). Sultan Qaboos ruled Oman between 1970 to 2020. Please click here to view my previous post on this note. Like the first print, this is also a Hybrid note.

 

As this is a reprint of the 2020 issue, the design is still the same except for the signature of the current Sultan. The previous 50-rial was printed with the previous Sultan, Qaboos bin Said, who died on 10.01.2020.

 

This is the highest denomination of banknotes currently issued and circulating in Oman. In terms of buying power, the Omani rial is the third strongest currency in the world, after the Kuwaiti dinar and Bahraini dinar. Coincidentally, the top four currencies of the world all came from the Middle East. To me, this is a high value note to collect. If you like large size banknotes, then you should not miss this one!

 

Fifty Rials

 

Signature - Sultan Haitham bin Tarik

Date - 2020 (released 2024)

Watermark - HM Sultan Qaboos and  ٥٠ (50)

Dimensions - 174mm x 77mm 

Front - A portrait of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said (b.1940-2020). In the center is the main headquarters of the Central Bank of Oman, located in the capital city of Oman, Muscat. The central bank was established in late 1974 and commenced operations on 01.04.1975. The Central Bank of Oman replaced Oman Currency Board as the principal currency authority in Oman. The head of the central bank is Taimur bin Asa'ad.

 

Back - The Council of Oman (parliament/legislature), the Supreme Court (judiciary) and the Ministry of Finance (economy). These are the three main pillars of a nation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...Bangladesh - 200 Taka Father of the Nation Mujibur Rahman Birth Centenary Commemorative Reprints 2022 And 2023

গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ
(Peoples' Republic of Bangladesh)

Bangladesh Bank

Currency : Taka (BDT)

In 2020, the Bangladesh Bank released two commemorative notes of 100 and 200 taka, honoring the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman, who is also known as the Father of the Nation. 

Here, I have posted the 200 taka reprints with the year dates of 2022 and 2023. Whilst the initial release consists of two notes (100 and 200 taka), only the 200 taka have been reprinted twice. So far, no reprint for the 100 taka has been sighted. 

Following the 2024 July Revolution in Bangladesh where the elected government of Sheikh Hasina was deposed by a civil unrest, it was announced that new designs of banknotes will be released this year. The report also stated that the design for the new series will not be printed with the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman, like those issued in the past. It should be noted that Sheikh Hasina is the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman. In all, she won 5 general elections, and the last term she won was the January 2024 general election. However, she was forced to resign on 05.08.2024 due to the public unrest against the country's jobs quota system of Bangladesh Civil Service where a certain percentage of the government jobs are reserved for the descendants of freedom fighters from the Bangladesh Liberation War that led to the country's independence from Pakistan in 1971. The quota system was initially abolished in 2020 but was reintroduced in 2024 following a High court ruling.

Given the recent decision of the central bank, it is not sure if any of these 200 taka notes have been printed with the year date of 2024. In my opinion, it is unlikely and if this is correct, this will be the last of the 200 taka series printed with the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman.

Below are the two reprints of the 200 taka commemorative notes. The designs are still the same except for the year date and the Governor's signature for the 2023 print.

Two Hundred Taka

Governor - Fazle Kabir (tenure 2016-2022)

Date - 2022

Watermarks - Sheik Mujibur Rahman and electrotype 200 

Dimensions - 147mm x 64mm

Front - Image of Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman (b.1920-1972) at left.

 

Back - Image of smiling Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman at left. Sail boat on the river, Working harvesting (appears to be) jute along the river bank. Jute and jute goods are one of the main items exported from the country.

 

Two Hundred Taka

 

Governor - Abdur Rouf Talukder (tenure 2022-2024). He resigned on 09.08.2024, 4 days after the resignation of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina. He was succeeded by Ahsan H Mansur on 14.08.2024. 

Date - 2023

Watermarks - Sheik Mujibur Rahman and electrotype 200

Dimensions - 147mm x 64.5mm
  

 

...Iraq - 5000 (Paper), 25,000 and 50000 x 2 Dinars All Dated 2023 Hybrid

جمهورية العراق

(Republic of Iraq)

 

البنك المركزي العراقي

(Central Bank of Iraq, est.1947)

Currency - Dinar (IQD)

 

Below are four notes of 5000, 25000 and 50000 (x2) dinars all printed with the year date of 2023. The 5000 note is printed on paper substrate material and the remaining are on hybrid substrate material. The two 50000 dinars notes are the same designs except it has different signatures on it. The first one is signed by Mustafa Ghaleb Mukheef, who was the bank governor from 2020 to 2023. He voluntarily resigned on 23.01.2023 due to the continuous falling in the value of the Iraqi dinar currency. He was then replaced by Mushen al-Allaq. Apart from the signatures and dates, there are no changes to the designs on all three notes.

I believe these are the only 2023 notes sighted so far. It is not sure if other denominations have been printed but not released yet. I am not surprised if they are others as the 1000 dinars 2020 prints were only reported recently (October 2024).

 

Five Thousand Dinars (Paper)

 

Governor - Mustafa Ghaleb Mukheef (tenure 2020-2023 resigned)

Watermark - Cow's head

Dimensions - 159.5mm x 78.5mm

 

Front - The Gali Ali Bag waterfall is depicted in the center. This waterfall is located in the Kurdistan Region, and is the highest waterfall in the Kurdistan Region and all of Iraq. The waterfall is about 95 km northeast of Erbil, the capital city of Kurdistan Region.

 

Back - A bird-eye view of al-Ukether Fortress. This fortress is in a rectangular shape and was built in 775 AD. It is located about 50 km south of Karbala in Iraq. This site was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.  

 

  

 

Twenty-Five Thousand Dinars (Hybrid)

 

Governor - Mustafa Ghaleb Mukheef (tenure 2020-2023 resigned*)

Watermark - Cow's head

Dimensions - 176.5mm x 78.5mm

 

Front - A Kurdish girl holding a jug over her right shoulder, a tractor ploughing the field loosening or turning the soil before planting. On the right is an ancient dinar coin. In the center of the note, it features a bunch of wheat.

 

Back - The main feature on the back of the note is the stone caving of the image of Hamurabiiy yatasallam al-sharia (King Hammurabi receiving the Law). On the bottom left is a sculpture of a standing animal, and in the bottom center are two horses walking toward each other.

Fifty Thousand Dinars (Hybrid)

 

Signature - Mustafa Ghaleb Mukheef (tenure 2020-2023)

Watermark - Head of a horse and electrotype ۵٠٠٠٠

Dimensions - 160mm x 66mm

 

Front - Featuring a water wheel, palm trees and the Gali Ali Bag waterfall.

 

Back - The images of people floating on the marches, a reed house, two buffaloes swimming in the marshes, wildlife migrating to the marches and the Tigris rivers. The water for the marshes mainly came from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

 

 

Fifty Thousand Dinars (Hybrid)

Signature - Muhsen al-Allaq (tenure 2023-)

Watermark - Head of a horse and electrotype ۵٠٠٠٠

Dimensions - 160.5mm x 67mm

 

Back - The images of people floating on the marches, a reed house, two buffaloes swimming in the marshes, wildlife migrating to the marches and the Tigris rivers. The water for the marshes mainly came from the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

 

...Nepal - 2015-2020 Set of Seven Notes

सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल 

Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

 

नेपाल राष्ट्र बैंक

Nepal Rastra Bank, Est. 1956

Currency - Rupee (NPR) 

Posted here are a full set of seven notes from 5 to 1000 rupees. Whilst the notes here are considered as full sets, not all notes issued here are with the same governor's signature. Each notes are printed with a year date and no full set was issued in a given year.

 

This series of banknotes was first introduced in 2015 with the two notes of 50 and 100 rupees. Other denominations are later introduced progressively - 20 and 500 rupees (2016); 5 and 10 rupees (2017); and 1000 rupees (2019). The theme for this series is the same as the previous issue, but with modified designs both on the front and back. While the designs on the front are similar to previous series, the designs on the back are not the same. Since the introduction of this series, the denomination of 1000 rupees has only been printed once and no reprints ever reported since its introduction.

I bought this set after learning that the central bank is in the process of issuing new banknotes with modified designs. The actual face value for this set is nominal by the western standard, but the buying price for me was not. These are fairly common notes and there are plenty around on offer. 

Five Rupees

 

Governor - Mr Maha Prasad Adikari (Since 04.06.2020)

Watermark - Rhododendron flower

Date - 2020 AD

Dimensions - 121.5mm x 71mm

Front - Image of Mount Everest on the left. The temple of Taleju Bhawani is in the center. The Taleju Bhawani is a Hindu temple built in 1564 by Mahendra Malla and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This temple is situated in the capital city of Kathmandu.

Back - An image of a standing Yak a.k.a. hairy cattle. The Yak can be found throughout the Himalayan region in Pakistan, Nepal, India and China. In the background is an image of a mountain range. Yaks are bred for their milk, meat, for its hides and fur. The Yaks are also used for farming, and for transportation of goods too. The bank seal is printed in the top upper left.

Ten Rupees

Governor - Mr Maha Prasad Adikari (since 04.06.2020)

Watermark - Rhododendron flower

Date - 2020 AD

Dimensions - 134.5mm x 71mm

 

Front - Mount Everest. Image of Changunarayan of Changu Narayan temple. Image of a coin in the upper right corner.

 

Back -  A standing Antelope (black buck) standing in the field. It looks more brown to me than black. This species is known as Krishnasar to the locals. It is believed that the population of black buck in Nepal is less than 350, thus making it an endangered species. It was previously reported that this species was extinct until they were rediscovered in 1975. Bank seal on center top.

Twenty Rupees

Governor - Dr Chiranjibi Nepal (tenure 2015-2020)

Watermark - Rhododendron flower

Date - 2020 AD

Dimensions - 140.5mm x 71mm

 

Front - Mount Everest on the left. Krishna temple in the center. The metal statue of Garuda on a stone pillar in Durbar Square in Patan Lalitpur is on the center right.

 

Back - A pair of Sambar deer roaming on grassland. The Sambar deer are the largest deer found in Nepal and can grow up to 150cm tall. The Sambar deer are native animals of the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia, and its population is declining due exploitation of its habitat by humans. Bank seal on center top.

 

Fifty Rupees

Governor - Dr Chiranjibi Nepal (tenure 2015-2020)

Watermark - Rhododendron flower

Date - 2019 AD

Dimensions - 144mm x 71mm

 

Front - Mount Everest to the left. The Rama-Janaki temple in Janakpur, is also the birthplace of Goddess Sita, consort of Lord Rama. The temple was built in 1910 and is one of the most holy places for the Hindus. Janakpur is the capital city of Mashesh Province. The Mashesh Province is located in the southern part of Nepal, bordering India.

Back - A Snow leopard with a mountain range in the background. Snow leopards are found in the high mountains of Central and South Asia. It is believed that Nepal is one of the countries where you can see snow leopards in their natural habitat. Bank seal on center top.

 

One Hundred Rupees

Governor - Dr Chiranjibi Nepal (tenure 2015-2020)

Watermark - Rhododendron flower

Date - 2019 AD

Dimensions - 149mm x 71mm

 

Front - An image of Mount Everest on the left. The outline map of Nepal is printed in the center. A silver metallic oval with the image of Mayadevi in the bottom center left. Next to this is the text of Lumbini, the Birth Place Of Lord Buddha. To the right is the Ashoka pillar.

 

Back - A one-horned Rhinoceros roaming with a calf. Bank seal printed in the bottom center left.

 

 

 

 

Five Hundred Rupees

Governor - Dr Chiranjibi Nepal (tenure 2015-2020)

Watermark - Rhododendron flower

Date - 2016 AD

Dimensions - 162mm x 71mm

 

Front - Mount Everest on the left. The Thyangboche monastery (Tengboche Monastery) in the center. This monastery was built in 1916 and is located in the village of Tengboche in the Khumbu region in Nepal. This monastery was rebuilt after it was destroyed in the 1934 earthquake. In 1989, it was then rebuilt again after a fire destroyed the monastery for the second time. Above the monastery is Mount Ama Dablam.

 

Back - A roaming tiger. The Nepali tiger is an endangered species and has a population of less than 400 in the country. A large number of these big cats are residing at the Chitwan National Park, which is a tourist attraction in Nepal. The bank seal is printed in the lower left.

 

One Thousand Rupees

Governor - Dr Chiranjibi Nepal (tenure 2015-2020)

Watermark - Rhododendron flower and electrotype 1000

Date - 2019 AD

Dimensions - 173.5mm x 71.5mm

 

Front - Image of Mount Everest on the left. Images of Swayambhunath stupa and Harati temple. Swayambhunath stupa is an ancient and sacred Buddhist stupa located on top of a hillock in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. The Harati temple is located in Kathmandu.

Back - Two elephants feeding on grass. Bank seal on lower right.

...Abkhazia - 10 and 100 Apsar 2024 Numismatic Products

Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра

(Republic of Abkhazia)

 

Аԥсны Аҳәынҭқарра Амилаҭтә Банк

(National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia, Est 1991)

Currency - Apsar (Apsara)

 

Here are two commemorative banknotes of 10 and 100 apsar, both released on 10.06.2024. Both notes are dated 2024. Whilst these two notes were released as commemorative notes, I have no idea what they are celebrating or commemorating for? 

 

The Republic of Abkhazia first issued a commemorative note of 500 apsar in 2018 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Victory in the Patriotic War 1993-2018. Five years later, it then released a second commemorative banknote of 25 apsar in 2023 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Victory in the Patriotic War 1993-2023.

 

The Republic of Abkhazia is a disputed region situated in the Caucasus region and was once controlled by the government of Georgia. Georgia lost control of the territory following the 1992-1993 war. Despite both Georgia and Abkhazia signing a ceasefire agreement in 1994, and following years of negotiations, the dispute remains unresolved. Abkhazia is backed by Russia and that is why it managed to stay free from Georgia since 1993. As this is a disputed territory, only six countries recognised its independence, countries like Nauru, Nicaragua, Syria, Venezuela and Russia of course. Georgia was once a member of the Soviet Union and became an independence state following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Georgia became fully independent from the Soviet Union on 6.12.1991. 

It was reported that up to 500,000 pieces have been issued for the 10 spsar and only 10,000 pieces issued for the 100 spsar. This is a lot for the 10 apsar especially the population in Abkhazia is less than 250,000 people. Prior to the 1992-1993 war, Abkhazia had a population in excess of 500,000 people. The war of 1992-1993 led to the reduction of population due to displacement, ethnic cleansing and many were expelled from the territory by the Abkhaz separatists. Unlike those previously issued (25 and 500 apsar), I believe the 10 apsar is meant for general circulation and the 100 apsar is not. The Russian ruble currency is circulating in Abkhazia as currency.

Ten Apsar

 

Front - The main image of the obverse of the banknote consists of an image of a Caucasian leopard's head with its curl-up tail, an ornamented ancient bronze axe next to the leopard's head. A leopard's paw is printed on the lower left side. Images of Seven Stars from the state flag of the Republic of Abkhazia. In the right and left sectors there are images of the state emblem of the Republic of Abkhazia and the denomination of the banknote. 

 

Signature - Beslan Baratelia (Chairman since 2014)

Series - 2024

Quantity Issued - 500,000 pieces

Watermark - Leopard head

Dimensions -152mm x 65.5mm

 

Back - The main image of the reverse side of the banknote consists of images of a bronze axe and the upper part of the traditional Abkhaz military and hierarchical staff “alabasha”. Images of Seven Stars from the state flag of the Republic of Abkhazia. The field on the reverse side also shows the denomination and serial number of the banknote.

One Hundred Apsar

 

Front - The main image of the front side of the banknote is a red deer against the backdrop of the snow-capped Caucasus mountains and a blackbird on a pine branch. In the left sector of the front side there is an image of the state emblem of the Republic of Abkhazia and the denomination of the banknote. 

 

Signature - Beslan Baratelia (Chairman since 2014)

Series - 2024

Quantity Issued - 10,000 pieces

Watermark - red deer

Dimensions -152.5mm x 65.5mm

 

Back - The main image of the reverse side of the banknote is the historical monuments of Abkhazia of the Early Bronze Age - dolmens and cromlechs, as well as ancient bronze items discovered on the territory of Abkhazia during archaeological expeditions. The field on the reverse side of the banknote also contains the denomination designation and the serial number of the banknote.