República de Moçambique
(Republic of Mozambique)
Banco de Moçambique, Est.1975
(Bank of Mozambique)
Currency - Metical (MZD)
Here is a full set of six notes all dated and issued on 16.06.2024. This is the fifth series of banknotes issued since gaining independence from the Portuguese in 1975. This series of new notes was first announced on 17.05.2024 by the central bank governor Rogerio Zandamela.
Just like the 2011 series banknotes, this series employs a mixed substrate strategy. The three lower denominations are all printed on GUARDIAN polymer substrate material and the other three denominations are printed on cotton based paper material. These notes were released to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the end of the War of Independence which started on 25.09.1964 and ended on 08.09.1974. Mozambique achieved independence on 25.06.1975, and continued to use the Escudo currency for the next five years issued by the previous occupier but with the words 'BANCO DE MOCAMBIQUE' printed on the front of all the notes.
The currency of 'Meticais' was first introduced on 16.06.1980, five years after gaining independence and replaced the Escudo currency at par. Since then, the Meticais currency went on a roller coaster ride due to severe inflation. In 2005, the Meticais was the least valued currency in the world with an exchange rate of 24,500 meticais against one US dollar. Then came the Zimbabwean dollar to their rescue and snatch the title away from them. The Meticais currency then redenominated in 2006 at a rate of 1000 old meticais for one new meticais. The word 'Meticais' is an Arabic word (Mithqal) meaning Gold Dinar. Today, the exchange rate for one USD is about 65+/- medicals.
Like the last two series, the design on the front for all six notes are all similar in appearance with the portrait of the country's first President Samora Moises Machel (b.1933-1986), except for the colour and the denomination of the notes.
The theme on the back each depicts a unique element of Mozambique, such as the country's history, fauna, education, marine resources and agriculture.
Below are some of the features for this series: -
1) All the new banknotes integrate modern security features but vary according to the substrate used.
2) For the three lower denominations polymer notes, they are all printed with a see-through window, an iridescent stripe, high relift printing (tactile), a shadow image and a clear window.
For the remaining notes of 200, 500 and 1000 meticais are all printed with a security thread, color-changing ink, a watermark, a see-through feature, an iridescent stripe and high-relief printing.
Twenty Meticais (Polymer)
Governor - Rogerio Zandamela (since 2016)
Watermarks - N/A
Dimensions - 142mm x 65.5mm
Front - Portrait of Samora Moises Machel. Samora. Moises Machel was born in 1933 and was the first president of the Republic of Mozambique. He got involved in anti-colonial (against the Portuguese rule) at an early age when he experienced discrimination against the native people in the country in terms of job opportunities and pay...
Back - The theme on the back for the 20 meticais, I believe, is related to fauna or the beautiful nature of this country. The main designs are plants, trees and a mountain view in the background. A bird is resting on a tree branch and is printed as a security registrar security feature.
Governor - Rogerio Zandamela (since 2016)
Watermarks - N/A
Dimensions - 146mm x 65.5mm
Front - Samora Moises Machel joined the political party, called FRELIMO, a national fighting party fighting for the self-determination and independence of Mozambique. FRELIMO (Mozambique Liberation Front) was founded in 1962 and he became their leader in 1970...
Back - Wild lives theme, with images of antelope with caves. Each note is also printed with images of stick people dancing on the bottom left and right.
One Hundred Meticais (Polymer)
Governor - Rogerio Zandamela (since 2016)
Watermarks - N/A
Dimensions - 148mm x 65.5mm
Front - Independence for Mozambique was then achieved on
25.06.1975. Despite gaining independence in 1975, civil war erupted in 1977 between the ruling government FRELIMO and the anti-communist insurgent forces, the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO) and a few other smaller groups. The war ended in 1992 following the breakup of the Soviet Union and South Africa withdrew their support for RENAMO...
Back - Agriculture theme. Two baskets of fruit - pineapple, baobab fruit, annona senegalensis, coconut and a few others. I am sure there are more fruits showing on the note that I am unable to identify.
Two Hundred Meticais (Paper)
Governor - Rogerio Zandamela (since 2016)
Watermarks - Samora Moises Machel and electrotype 200
Dimensions - 151mm x 66mm
Front - Samora Moises Machel died on 19.10.1986 following a plane crash that killed 34 people. Nine people survived the plane crash. Samora Moises Machel was traveling on a Russian made Tupolev Tu-134 and was on his way back from Zambia back to the capital city of Mozambique, Maputo after meeting the
African leaders in Mbala, Zambia. The crash was later blamed on pilot error.
Back - A standing lion and a lioness resting with two cubs playing around. To the right of all notes are printed with a quill or feather pen standing on the circular design. Above that is a diamond shaped pattern with a bullseye in the middle. Again this design is also printed on all denominations for this series.
Five Hundred Meticais (Paper)
Governor - Rogerio Zandamela (since 2016)
Watermarks - Samora Moises Machel and electrotype 500
Dimensions - Dimensions - 154mm x 65mm
Front - Portrait of Samora Moises Machel. SPARK Flow® feature on the top left with the image of two sailboats and the value of 500 printed on top. Image of a fish at the bottom as a registration security feature.
Back - Theme marine resources with fishermen on three sailboats. All notes are printed with the outline map of Mozambique on the center right of the notes.
One Thousand Meticais (Paper)
Governor - Rogerio Zandamela (since 2016)
Watermarks - Samora Moises Machel and electrotype 1000
Dimensions - 157.5mm x 66mm
Front - Portrait of Samora Moises Machel. SPARK Flow® feature on the top left with the image of an elephant and the denomination of 1000.
Back - Theme wild life. An elephant on the left and a family of four elephants in the center.
Back - The main feature on the back is the statue of Queen Hatshepsut (b1507-1458 BC) and was the fifth Egyptian Pharaoh from 1478 to until her death in 1458 BC. She was married to Thutmose ll who was her half-brother. Thutmose ll was the fourth Pharaoh from 1493 to 1478 BC. To her right is an image of a pyramid, and below that is the Great Library of Alexandra. 
