...Yemen - 200 Rials 2025 Series Houthi Group Issue

Republic of Yemen

Central Bank of Yemen

Currency - Rial (YER)

This is a 200 rials note reportedly issued on 16.07.2025 by the Houthi group which currently occupied a large part of the land, mainly situated in the western side of Yemen bordering the Red sea.

In the modern history of Yemen, the country was once split into two, called Yemen Arab Republic (north-west part of Yemen), and South Yemen with their capital as Aden. On 22.05.1990, these two countries merged into one and called itself the Republic of Yemen. Civil war broke out in September 2014, where the Houthi group seized control of the city of Sana'a and a large part of western Yemen. The rest of the country is occupied by the President Leadership Council (PLC), which is also called The Cabinet of Yemen or Yemeni Government. To the western world, the PLC is the legit government and the Houthi group is not.

Since the Houthi group occupied a large part of western Yemen, this is the first time a banknote has been issued under the banner of the Central Bank of Yemen. It should be noted that the Central Bank of Yemen is the central bank of Yemen and it's head office is based in the capital city, Aden, not occupied by the Houthi group. Obviously, this 200 rials is not recognised by the PLC government and deem it as illegal for anyone processing this note.  

Front - The image of the Al-janad Mosque in Taiz. This mosque was built in the 7th century. It should be noted that the city of Taiz is not under the control of the Houthi group. There is a security feature added to this note and I do not believe I have seen this before. If you hold up the note against the light, between the mosque and the watermark area (where the vertical red line is), you can see the Arabic numeral of ٢٠٠ (200) featuring vertically. This feature is created in the form of tiny pinholes like (perforated). It appears that these tiny see-through pinholes can only be viewed if the note is held up against a strong light. I only noticed this feature when I was checking out the watermark of this note.

Signature - Hashem Ismail Ali Ahmad Al-Madani

Watermark - Coat of Arms

Sizes - 156mm x 76mm

Back - An aerial view of the Al Ma'alla port in Aden with cargo ships docking at the port. It is strange that both the main images depicted on the note both front and back are not controlled by the Houthi group. Is this done on purpose?

...Sri Lanka - 2000 Rupees Central Bank 75th Year Commemorative

ශ්‍රීලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

 

Central Bank of Sri Lanka (Est.1950)

Currency - Rupee (LKR)

 

This is a 2,000 rupee issued on 29.08.2025, celebrating the 75th year of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The central bank was established on 28.08.2025, with its head office situated at Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka. This commemorative note is printed on paper material.

 

Back in 2020, the then Bank Governor Deshamanya Weligamage Don Lakshman (tenure December 2019 - September 2021) announced that it will introduce a new 2,000 rupees to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Central Bank. As we all know now, this did not happen. It is not sure why this was delayed until now. Just for the record, this 2,000 rupees is worth less than US$7. 

 

Two Thousand Rupees

Front - The image of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka located in Colombo. Within a short walking distance is the Lighthouse Clock tower which is located at the roundabout or the junction of Chatham Street and Janadhipathib Mawatha. This clock tower was built in 1857 as a lighthouse and is now a landmark in the heart of the official district in Colombo. To the bottom left is the city skyline silhouette of Colombo city. The commemorative 75 Years (Stability for Prosperity) logo is printed on the bottom far left corner.

 

Governor - Dr Nandalai Weerasinghe (since April 2022)

Date - 2025-08-28 

Watermark - Coat of Arms

Sizes - 159mm x 67mm

 

Back - A stylised map of Sri Lanka printed with circular shapes on all over the map. The national flower of Sri Lanka, a blue water lily is printed on top of the map. This aquatic flower is also known locally as Nil Manel. The water lily is a symbol of purity, serenity, and has significant cultural and spiritual importance to the people of Sri Lanka. The water lily was adopted as the national flower on 26.02.1986.  On top is printed with the 75 Years commemorative logo.

 

...Bhutan - Series 2015 of 5 And 100 Ngultrum

འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ

Kingdom of Bhutan

 

Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Est.1982

Currency - Ngultrum (BTN)

 

Here are the two notes of 5 and 100 ngultrum, both printed as Series 2015. These are the only two notes issued for the 2015 series. The designs on these notes are the same with the exception of the year date.

Five Ngultrum

 

Governor - Dasho Daw Tenzin (tenure 2010-2015)

Date - Series 2015 

Dimensions - 126.5mm x 60mm

 

Front - Image of Dharmachakra surrounded by two mythical birds (Druk Bja Tshering). The Druk Bja Tshering is referred to as Bhutan Birds of Longevity). 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.

 

Unlike the 100 ngultrum note below, this note does not have the dedicated watermark area printed. 

Prior to 2010, all banknotes issued by the central bank bear the signature of a Chairman. Since then, the title for the Chairman has changed to Governor.

 

Back - Paro Taktsang, a monastery situated in the western part of Bhutan. This monastery was built in 1692 on a cliffside of the upper Paro valley and is about 3000 meters above the Paro valley. This is a sacred site and is one of the 13 Tiger's Nest caves of historical Tibet. This monastery is used by many different groups mainly for meditation only. 

 

One Hundred Ngultrum

 

Governor - Dasho Daw Tenzin (tenure 2010-2015)

Watermark - King Jigme Singye Wangchuk 

Date - Series 2015

Dimensions - 147.5mm x 71mm

 

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 - Image of Tashichho Dzong. Tashichho Dzong is a Buddhist monastery. The word Dzong means Fortress of the glorious religion and has been occupied by Bhutan's government since 1968. The building also houses the throne room and the offices of the King of Bhutan. The Tashichho Dzong has been situated in the northern part of Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan since 1955.

...Lebanon - Full Set Six Notes Dated 2016 - 2022

 الجمهورية اللبنانية

(Republic of Lebanon)

 

مصرف لبنان

(Banque du Liban / Bank of Lebanon) 

Currency - Livres/Pound (LBP)

 

Here is a full set of 6 notes issued with various year dates printed on the notes. As these are not released or printed in the same year, the signatures on the notes are not all the same. 

Due to the current economic situation in Lebanon, this full set is very affordable to collect. Here, the total face value is 186,000 livres and it's only worth just over US$2. Of course, I have paid more to get these 6 notes. Given the current position of the Livre, the last print for the 1000 livres was dated 2016.

One Thousand Livres 

 

Front - Cedar tree, value in Arabic of 1000

 

Signatures (L-R)

First Vice Governor - Raed H Charafeddine

Governor - Riad Toufic Salameh

Date - 2016

Watermarks - Cedar tree & electrotype 1000 in Arabic

Sizes - 115mm x 60.5mm 

 

Back - French text, cedar tree, alphabet in the background.

 

Five Thousand Livres 

Front - Cedar tree, Arabic denomination of 5000

 

First Vice Governor - Wassim Mansoori

Governor - Riad Toufic Salameh

Date - 2021

Watermarks - Cedar tree & electrotype 5000 in Arabic

Sizes - 120mm x 70mm

 

Back - French text, cedar tree, geometric design 

 

Ten Thousand Livres 

Front - Cedar tree, Arabic value of 10,000

 

First Vice Governor - Wassim Mansoori

Governor - Riad Toufic Salameh

Date - 2021

Watermarks - Cedar tree & electrotype 10,000 in Arabic

Sizes - 127.5mm x 66mm

 

Back - French text, cedar tree, sculpture of Lebanese in Martyrs Square in Beirut. Large cedar tree in the background.

 

 

Twenty Thousand Livres 

 

Front - Cedar tree, Arabic value of 20,000.

 

First Vice Governor - Raed H Charafeddine

Governor - Riad Toufic Salameh

Date - 2019

Watermarks - Cedar tree & electrotype 20,000 in Arabic

Sizes - 130mm x 72mm

 

Back -  French text, Cedar tree, geometric designs in circular shape.  

 

Fifty Thousand Livres 

 

Front - Cedar tree, Arabic value of 50,000, a stylised boat.

 

First Vice Governor - Raed H Charafeddine

Governor - Riad Toufic Salameh

Date - 2019

Watermarks - Cedar tree & electrotype 50,000 in Arabic

Sizes - 141mm x 77mm

 

Back - French text, cedar tree, square shape geometric design.

 

 

One Hundred Thousand Livres 

 

Front - Cedar tree, value denomination in Arabic

 

First Vice Governor - Wassim Mansoori

Governor - Riad Toufic Salameh

Date - 2022

Watermarks - Cedar tree & electrotype 100,000 in Arabic

Sizes - 147mm x 81.5mm

 

Back - French text, stylised bunch grapes, grain stalks, spindle of yarns. 

 

...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.