...eSwatini - 10 And 20 Emalangeni 1.4.2024 Hybrid

Umbuso weSwatini

(Kingdom of eSwatini)

 

Central Bank of eSwatini (Est.1974)

Currency - Lilangeni (SZL)

 

Here are the two notes of 10 and 20 emalangeni both printed with the date of 1.4.2024. These are the first denominations of 10 and 20 emalangeni printed with the new name of the country, eSwatini since the name was adopted on 19.04.2018. Since the name changed, the central bank has printed/issued all denominations from 10 to 200 emalangeni. However, the 100 emalangeni has not been sighted, but is believed that this denomination has been printed. In addition, the bank has also issued a 50 emalangeni dated 1.4.2024 commemorative note celebrating the country's 50th Year Central Bank. 

Like all notes previously issued since 2018, these two notes are also printed on hybrid materials and are both printed by Giesecke+Devrient Germany.

 

Ten Emalangeni

Minister For Finance - Neal K. Rykenberg (tenure 2018-)

Governor - Dr Philemon F. Mnisi (tenure 2022-)

Date - 1.4.2024

Watermark - Portrait of King Mswati III

Dimensions - 144mm x 70mm

Front - Portrait of King Mswati III. King Mswati was crowned King of Swaziland on 25.04.1986 at the age of 18. The Kingdom of eSwatini is ruled by an absolute monarch/subnational monarchs and is one of the only 12 remaining nations in the world that is ruled by an absolute monarch. In the center is the country's Coat or Arms and below that are the signatures of the Minister of Finance and the Bank Governor.

Back - Image of nine princesses each holding a weapon in one hand and a ceremony shield in the other performing the kingship ceremony (Incwala) dance. The Incwala is a national event that takes part during the summer solstice. This is a six-day festival event celebrating the harvest season and the kingship. The ceremony is attended by the King of eSwatini. Who are all these princesses? The current king has 45 children from 16 wives, but not sure how many are girls.

Twenty Emalangeni

Minister For Finance - Neal K. Rykenberg (tenure 2018-)

Governor - Dr Philemon F. Mnisi (tenure 2022-)

Date - 1.4.2024

Watermark - Portrait of King Mswati III

Dimensions - 148.5mm x 70mm

Back - The theme on the back is related to agricultural products of the country. The images printed on the back are corn, pineapple, a zebu (cattle), and refinery industry. Presumably, this is related to sugar and ethanol production. The sugar production is a significant contributor to the country's economy, with two sugar mills operated by the Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation. 

...Somalia - 2010 Prints Unissued (available in 2024)

Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya

(Federal Republic of Somalia)
(جمهورية الصومال الفيدرالية)

 

Bankiga Dhexe Soomaaliya est.1960

(Central Bank of Somalia)

Currency - Shillin (SOS)

 

Posted below are five notes, out of a possibility of 6, all reportedly printed in Sudan in 2010 but were never released until it surfaced recently (2023) in Sudan. Printing for these notes was ordered by the then Somalia Transitional Federal Government but was never released due to uncertainty of the country's economy or the weakest of the country's financial institutions at the time. Since then, these new banknotes were stored in Sudan awaiting further instruction. In April 2023, civil war broke out in Sudan between the two rival factions of the military government of Sudan, the Sudanese Armed Forces led by Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces headed by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. Clashes between the two factions were reported in the capital city of Khartoum and in the Darfur region. Since then, these Somalia banknotes began to show up in the streets of Khartoum. So far only five notes (out of the possible 6) have been sighted and these are the 1000, 2000, 10000, 20000 and 50000. 

The country of Somalia has a land area of 637,657 km2, but 176,120 km2 of it situated in the north declared independence in 1991 and called themselves, the Republic of Somaliland. The Sovereignty of Somaliland is not recognised by any foreign powers. Somalia was occupied by the British in 1884. The Italian took over in 1889 and independence was achieved on 01.07.1960. Somalia is a relatively poor nation, and in general it is not a safe place to travel to either due to the dangerous security situation, threat of armed conflict, terrorism and violent crime. Somali pirates are also active around the Horn of Africa in attacking shipping vessels sailing to and fro the Red Sea.

Signatures:

Director of the Public Treasury - ???

Governor - Bashir Isse Ali (tenure 2006-2010 unconfirmed)

 

One Thousand Shilin

 

Front - Three camels and a calf grazing on grass

 

Watermarks - Lion head and electrotype 1000

Dimensions - 121mm x 60.5mm

 

Back - Images of sheep, buffalo and a goat.

 

 

 

Two Thousand Shilin

 

Front - Sense of Juba River (Jubba River). This river flows through the southern region of Jubaland. The river starts at the border with Ethiopia and then flows across Somalia to the Somalia sea in the south.

 

Watermarks - Lion head and electrotype 2000

Dimensions - 121mm x 60mm

 

Back - Bunch of bananas and banana trees in the background.

 

 

 

 

 

Five Thousand Shilin

(Missing)

 

Ten Thousand Shilin

 

Front - A single dhow sailing in an open sea.

 

Watermarks - Lion head and electrotype 10000

Dimensions - 131mm x 64mm

 

 

Back - Fish.

 

 

 

 

 

Twenty Thousand Shilin

 

Front - National Theatre of Somalia located in the center of Mogadishu. This theatre was opened in 1967 and is an important landmark in the national capital. 

 

Watermarks - Lion head and electrotype 20000

Dimensions - 141mm x 68.5mm

 

Back - Central Bank of Somalia building in Mogadishu. The Central Bank of Somalia was originally called Banca Nazionale Somalia (National Bank of Somalia) and was formed when the country achieved independence from the Italian and British. On 08.02.1975, the bank was renamed to the Central Bank of Somalia.

 

 

Fifty Thousand Shillin

 

Front - Mosque of Islamic Solidarity. This mosque is located in Mogadishu in Somalia and was built in 1987. Funding for the construction was funded by a Saudi Foundation, and this is the main mosque in the capital city of Mogadishu.

 

Watermarks - Lion head and electrotype 50000

Dimensions - 141mm x 69mm

 

Back - Masjidka Abdul Aziz mosque in Mogadishu. This mosque is named after Abd al-Aziz Maqdshavi, a 14th century island chief of the Maldives. This mosque was reportedly built in 1238.

...South Sudan - 500 And 1000 South Sudan Pounds Series 2024

The Republic of South Sudan

 

Bank of South Sudan (Est.2011)

Currency - Pound (SSP)

 

These are the two known notes issued with the year date of 2024 printed on the notes. These two notes were reportedly released on 12.06.2024. It is not sure if other denominations have been printed with the same year as per these two notes. Due to inflation and a weak currency, larger denominations of notes may be required, apart from these notes. The denominations of 500 and 1000 pounds were issued from 2020, and since then the central bank has not printed any banknotes that are lower than 500 pounds.

 

Like the last 1,000 dated 2023 issued, the design for this note is that same, except for a word changed for the previous 2023 series. Prior to this, all notes are printed with South Sudanese Pounds. For this 2024 series, the word Sudanese has been replaced by Sudan - South Sudan Pounds. 

Five Hundred Pounds

Front - On the front is a portrait of the late Dr John Garang de Mabior (b.1945-2005). He was a revolutionary leader for the South Sudanese people, and was once appointed the First Vice President of Sudan. he was killed in a helicopter crash on 30.06.2005 while he was the First Vice President of Sudan. South Sudan achieved independence on 09.07.2011.

 

Governor - James Alic Garang (tenure 2023-2024)

Minister of Finance - Bak Barnaba Chol (tenure 2023-2024)

Series - 2024

Watermark - John Garang de Mabior and electrotype 500

Dimensions - 155.5mm x 80mm

 

Back - A bird-eye view of River Nile winding through South Sudan. River Nile is the longest river in Africa and is the longest river in the world (some believe it is the Amazon River). The water for the River Nile starts from Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is shared by three countries, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The water from the river flows through Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt into the Mediterranean Sea. 

One Thousand Pounds

 

Front - On the front is a portrait of the late Dr John Garang de Mabior (b.1945-2005). He was a revolutionary leader for the South Sudanese people, and was once appointed the First Vice President of Sudan. he was killed in a helicopter crash on 30.06.2005 while he was the First Vice President of Sudan. South Sudan achieved independence on 09.07.2011.

 

Governor - James Alic Garang (tenure 2023-2024)

Minister of Finance - Bak Barnaba Chol (tenure 2023-2024)

Series - 2024

Watermark - John Garang de Mabior and electrotype 1000

Dimensions - 159mm x 83mm

 

Back - Two ostriches roaming in the bush. The ostriches in South Sudan are referred to as the North African ostrich species or the red-necked ostrich. The Ostrich is a fast running animal and can reach speeds of up to 55 km/h. Their running speed is only second to those four legged cheetahs with a top speed of 100 km/h. However, there are no comparisons between the two, as an ostrich is a bipedal animal with only two legs.

...Sudan - 1000 Pounds June 2024

Republic of the Sudan

Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān

 

Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS Est 1960)

Currency - Pound (SDG)

This is an odd note of 1000 pounds printed with the year date of June 2024. I am not sure why I bought this note, perhaps it was not that expensive, and it's a new series with only one note released so far. I do have the habit of buying new and cheap notes for no reasons whatsoever. 

According to the current series of banknotes issued, this is the largest denomination circulating in the country. However, this is not the largest denomination ever issued as back in 1992-1998 series, the largest note issued was the 10,000 dinar. Civil war started in Sudan in April 2023 when opposing forces tried to gain control of the country. Given the current political crises and the ongoing conflicts in the country, it is not sure if larger denominations will be issued at a later date, or if this note even holds any real value in the economy, especially the country is currently suffering from high inflation rates in excess of 100+%.

One Thousand Pounds 

 

Front - The text on the front is all printed in Arabic, which is the official language of the country. On the front of the note and from L-R, it depicts a minaret, a grain silos with a ship docking at a harbour, presumably at Port Sudan situated at the north-eastern part of the country. Above the ship is an image of three gold bars.

 

Governor - Burai Al-Siddig Ali Ahmed (since May 2023)

Date - June 2024 ٢٠٢٤

Watermark - Bird and electrotype 1000

Sizes - 159mm x 70.5mm

Back - On the back, all text are printed in English. On the back, the main image is the Bank of Sudan's main office situated at the capital city, Khartoum. Due to the ongoing civil war that started in April 2023, opposing forces had been trying to control the bank from issuing currency in order to cripple the country's economy. Due to the fighting between the two forces, the bank's head office was significantly damaged, as well as other branches across the country. This led to many branches across the country being looted (free money) and destroyed. Given the current situation in the country, it is interesting to know how far this 1000 pounds series will go or will it be replaced at a later date. To the right is the month/year date of June 2024, and three gold bars is also printed above the value of '1000' 

 

...Namibia - $60 President Hage Gottfried Geingob Commemorative 2025

Republic of Namibia

Bank of Namibia (Est.1990)

Currency : Dollar (NAD)

 

On 05.03.2025, the central bank announced the release of a new commemorative polymer note of $60. This note was printed to honour the late President Hage Gottfried Geingob, and the note was released on 17.03.2025.

 

According to one report, this is a limited edition and all notes are printed with the prefix of HGG which is also the initials of the late President. I am not sure if replacement notes are also printed for this series. The central bank also announced that a new series of banknotes will also be issued in June 2025.

 

Whilst we all acknowledge that this is a commemorative note, nothing has been printed (text or logo) to say that this is one.

Sixty Dollars

Front - The portrait of the country's late President Hage Gottfried Geingob (b.1941-2024. This note honouring the late President Hage Geingob's 60 years of political service to the country. He was the third President of Namibia from 2015 to until his death in 2024. Before that, he was the first Prime Minister of Namibia from 1990 to 2002. He died from cancer. In Namibia, he is honoured with a Rugby stadium, a High School, a University Medical School Campus and a highway all named after him. In the middle is an image of the Constituent Assembly of 1990. Under UY light, you see the flag of Namibia printed in the middle and the number 60 underneath.

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Hage Gottfried Geingobpro's profile facing right

Dimensions - 140.5mm x 70.5mm 

Back - In the far right is the image of Hage Gottfried Geingobpro holding a large trophy. It is believed that he is holding a football trophy. He was a big fan of the sport and was also once actively playing this game. According to one of his former teammates, his nickname as a footballer was 'Danger Point'. In the center are the images of wind turbines, a hydrogen tank, biomass and solar panels. The number 60 in a rectangle can be seen under UV light. The following quote is printed on the note: -

"THIS BEAUTIFUL HOUSE WE CALL NAMIBIA"

H.E. Dr. Hage G. Geingob

21st March 2015