...Abkhazia - 50 Apsars 2025 Numismatic Products

Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра

(Republic of Abkhazia)

 

Аԥсны Аҳәынҭқарра Амилаҭтә Банк

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

Currency - Apsar (Apsara)

 

This is the fifth note issued by this disputed region of Abkhazia since 2018. The National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia has released, since 2018, the denomination of 500 apsars (2018), 25 apsars (2023), 10 and 100 apsars (both 2024), and now this 50 apsars.  

According to a report, 50,000 pieces have been issued, and like the 2024 issues, this note was also reported as an Investment Banknote. I am not sure what it meant by that, and how is this considered as an investment, apart from calling this a numismatic product. If this note is not intended for general circulation, then the quantity of 50,000 is quite a lot for a rather small population of less than 250,000 living in this disputed region, unless it is also intended to target overseas collectors. For the record, Abkhazia is still internationally recognised as part of Georgia. It declared independence on 23.07.1992, and shortly after that, war broke out in August 1992. Until today, the conflict between this region and the Georgian government is still unresolved, and the Abkhazian managed to stay independent solely due to the Russians backing.

Fifty Apsars

Front - The main feature for this design are the three Black Sea dolphins. In the central top is the map of Abkhazia, and to the left is a sea shell. To the far right is an image of a jellyfish. Like those previously issued, the usual seven-star design in a semi-circular pattern is also incorporated in the design.

Signature - Beslan Baratelia (Chairman since 2014)

Series - 2025

Quantity Issued - 50,000 pieces

Watermark - Image of a square with an anchor and seahorse on each sides

Sizes - 151.5mm x 66mm

Back -  An image of a medieval Abkhazian warship in the far left and a prow of a ship in the center. Below the prow is an image of an anchor and to the right is a pattern of a seahorse facing right. 

...Bhutan - 1 and 10 Ngultrum Series 2019 Hybrid Notes

འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ

Kingdom of Bhutan

 

Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Est.1982

Currency - Ngultrum (BTN)

 

Below are the two notes of 1 and 10 ngultrum both issued as part of the 2019 series. It is believed that these are the two notes released with the year date of 2019. I believe both notes are printed on hybrid materials, just like those first released in 2013 (Series 2013). Nothing has changed on the design except the year date and signature on the two notes.

 

One Ngultrum (Replacement Prefix Z)

 

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-)

Issue - Series 2019

Dimensions - 121mm x 60mm

 

Front - Image of Dharmachakra surrounded by two mythical dragons. A Dharmachakra is a circular symbol used mainly in the Dharmic religions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The Dharmachakra resembles a ship's helm wheel.This note that I have posted here has a Z replacement prefix.

 

Back - Simtokha Dzong (castle-monastery). This monastery was built in 1628 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This is one of its kind built in Bhutan. This Dzong is located approximately 5 kilometers south of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

 

Ten Ngultrum 

 

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-)

Issue - Series 2019

Watermark - Jigme Singye Wangchuk

Dimensions - 126mm x 65mm

 

Front - Portrait of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk (b.1955-). Jigme Singye Wangchuk was the King of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006 when he abdicated in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Jigme Singye Wangchuk is married with four wives. His second and third wives are sisters. In Bhutan, the law allows for both polyandry and polygamy.

 

Back - The building of Paro Rinpung Dzong. This is a large dzong (Buddhist monastery) and was constructed in 1646. This dzong is located in the town of Paro. Paro is situated south-west of the capital Thimphu and is about 50 kilometers drive by car.

 

 

...India - 2000 Rupees Dated 2017 And With Plate Letter R, Withdrew 30.09.2023

Republic of India

(Bharat Ganarajya)

Reserve Bank of India (est.1935)

Currency - Rupee (INR)

 

As per one of my previous posts, I have now posted another two 2000 rupees banknotes both dated 2017. On 19.05.2023, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the withdrawal of the 2000 rupees from circulation commencing on 30.09.2023. The 2000 rupees was the highest circulation banknote issued in India and the withdrawal was mainly due to illegal activities such as money laundering etc. The 2000 rupees banknote is not commonly used for transactions in the country and it is believed that many political parties like to hoard them to fund their election campaign expenses in order to get around tough spending limits imposed by the Election Commission. It is unlikely we will get to see another 2000 rupees series in the near future unless the circumstances have changed, like high inflation or some other economic situations that they are forced to issue one, or even with higher denominations like 5000 rupees.

 

The 2000 rupees was first introduced in November 2016 following the withdrawal of the previous series of 500 and 1000 rupees due to high forgeries found circulating in the economy. RBI has only issued the 2000 rupee banknotes printed with the year dates of 2016 and 2017, and majority of these notes were issued prior in March 2017.

 

It is believed that only two varieties of the 2000 rupee banknotes were issued with the year date of 2017, just like the 2016 issues. The notes that I have posted here are one without any plate letter and one printed with plate letter R. This plate letter is printed between the prefix and serial number on the top left-hand corner on the front of the note.

 

As a collector, I am pleased to say that I have now completed my collection of all four notes of 2000 rupees issued by the bank.

 

Two Thousand Rupees 

Front - The portrait of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or better known as Mahatma Gandhi (b.1869-1948). Gandhi was a Hindu and was born in Gujarat. In 1888, he went to London, England to read Laws. In 1891, at the age of 22, he was called to the bar and returned home to India. He started his working life as a British trained lawyer. However, he failed miserably and had to give up his practice and turned to drafting petitions for litigants for a living. In 1893, he went to work in South Africa. While in South Africa, he experienced discrimination and prejudice against him due to the colour of his skin. After 22 years working in South Africa, he returned to India in 1915, and became an anti-colonial nationalist, a political ethicist and successfully campaigned for India's independence from the British in 1947. In 1948, he was assassinated by Ramachandra Vinayak Godse (b.1910-1949) and he died at the age of 78, 168 days after India achieved independence from the British. 

Governor - Urjit Patel (tenure 2016-2018)

Watermark - Mahatma Gandhi and electrotype 2000

Dimensions -168.5mm x 66.5mm

 

Back - An image of the Mangalyaan, a Mars Orbiter Mission Space Probe. This space probe was launched on 05.11.2013, and has been orbiting Mars since 24.09.2014. The Mangalyaan is the first Asian made space probe to successfully orbiting Mars and to do so in its maiden attempt too. To the left is that famous Mahatma Gandhí's spectacle frame. 

 

Dated 2017, with plate letter R

Reverse

...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