...Mozambique - 2024 Polymer And Paper New Series Full Set All Dated 2024

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.

 

Fifty Meticais (Polymer)

 

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.

...eSwatini - 50 Emalangeni Hybrid Commemorative 50th Year of Central Bank of eSwatini

Umbuso weSwatini

(Kingdom of eSwatini)

 

Central Bank of eSwatini (Est.1974)

Currency - Lilangeni (SZL)

 

This is a commemorative note of 50 emalangeni released on 10.05.2024 for the celebration of 50 years of the creation of the central bank - Central Bank of eSwatini. 

The Central Bank of Swaziland was established on 01.04.1974. The bank is located in the capital city, Mbabane. On 09.11.2018, the King of eSwatini renamed the bank to the Central Bank of eSwatini. 

The design on the front for this note is similar to the previous 50 emalangeni issued but the reverse side of the note is completely new. This banknote is printed on ADDvance® Hybrid substrate.

Fifty Emalangeni

 

Signatures

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

Printer - Green Banknote By Giesecke+Devrient . Germany

Dimensions - 153mm x 71mm

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 absolute nations in the world that is ruled by an absolute monarch. A rectangle shaped logo with rolling colour is printed in the center right.

 

Back - The design on the back is completely new. Previous design for this note depicts the central bank building. Starting from the central top is the King Mswati III International Airport with an airplane taking off. This airport was initially named Sikhuphe International Airport. Below that is the Sibebe Rock (granite mountain). The words Sibebe Rock are the only text printed on the note. The Sibebe Rock is situated about 10 km north-west of Mbabanehe and is the world's largest exposed granite pluton. The locals referred to this as the Bald Rock. To the top right is the image of a freeway interchange, and below that is a logo of a tap-and-pay. Binary numbers are also printed on the note, together with outlines of three people, a computer monitor and a graph.

 

Footnote *:-

Brunei, Emirate of Sharjah, Emirate of Fujairah, Emirate of Ajman, Kingdom of Eswatini, Emirate of Dubai, Emirate of Umm al-Quwain, Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, Vatican City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sultanate of Oman and Emirate of Dhabi.

 

...Mauritania - 100, 200 And 1000 Ouguiya Unissued 1975-1977

 الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية

(The Islamic Republic of Mauritania)

 

البنك المركزي الموريتاني

 (Central Bank of Mauritania, Est.1973)

Currency - Ouguiya (MRU)

 

Early this year, two unissued notes of 1000 ouguiya appeared in the numismatic market for sale. Now more have been released and below, I have posted the three notes of 100, 200 and 1000 ouguiya. These notes were printed back in the 1970s, but were not released into circulation and now the central bank has given collectors around the world the opportunity to get them as souvenirs. It is not sure why these three notes were not released then. These notes are dated 1975 (100 ouguiya) and 1977 (for the 200 and 1000 ouguiya) and all notes were reportedly printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co (DLR). The signatures on all the three notes are also the same. These are the only three remaining unissued notes and are now available to collectors. There are plenty available in the market right now. Prior to these releases, only the printer's specimen notes were available.

According to the standard banknotes catalogue, these notes form part of the four unissued notes printed from 1975 to 1981. The 1981 note is also a 1000 ouguiya. However, I have not included this 1981 note here as this note has a different signature combination. The standard catalogue reference for this 1981 note is 3D, whilst the three notes posted here are 3A, 3B and 3C.

The designs for these three notes are just magnificent. The designs reflect the country's rich culture and historical heritage. The designs are much better looking than those subsequent series of banknotes issued by the bank. They are unique and should be popular among serious collectors. As these were printed in the 1970s, in today's standard, the 1000 ouguiya is considered as a large size note.

The three notes posted here all have matching serial numbers of A30 005513.

 

One Hundred Ouguiya

 

Front - Young man with turban, two women with one serving tea. To the right is a bush.

 

Treasurer General - Unknown

Governor - Ahmed Ould Daddah (tenure 1973-1978)

Date - 1975.11.28

Watermark - Image of a man

Dimensions - 147.5mm x 69mm

 

Back - A fisherman showing his catch with fishing trawlers in the background. Fishing is one of Mauritania's main economies, which represents around 40% of the country's exports. To the left is a man holding something and it is hard to say what he was holding in his hands.

 

Two Hundred Ouguiya

 

Front - Portrait of the late President Moktar Ould Daddah* (b.1924-2003), two men and a woman with a camel traveling in the desert. To the right is a smiling woman in black walking and in her right hand she is holding what appears to be a bag.

Treasurer General - Unknown

Governor - Ahmed Ould Daddah (tenure 1973-1978)

Date - 1977.6.29

Watermark - Image of a man

Dimensions - 160mm x 82mm

 

Back - Two antelopes in the center. To the left is a man and camel traveling together in a desert. To the right are 18 birds flying in formation.

 

* A website listed this man as the late President Moktar Ould Daddah* (b.1924-2003). I personally believe this portrait is related to a real life person. However, I have no confirmation to say that this is the late President. I am unable to find an image of him to compare with this portrait when he was young. Those images that you can find on the Internet are all showing him when he was much older. I understand that he was the Prime Minister of Mauritania when he was 33 years old, and then President when he was 36. This note is printed with the year of 1978, when he was 53 years old. Unfortunately I am unable to guess the age of this man printed on the note. Perhaps, this is to showcase his achievement in politics at such a young age. If I am wrong, I still believe that this portrait is based on a real life person and not just another artist's impression.

One Thousand Ouguiya

 

Front - Portrait of a young woman, two people with cows and a donkey gathering at a water well. In the background are palm streets. To the right is a man walking holding a bag each in his hands walking with a donkey. About that is an image of a harbour with port gantry cranes.

 

 Treasurer General - Unknown

Governor - Ahmed Ould Daddah (tenure 1973-1978)

Date - 1977.6.29

Watermarks - Image of a man

Dimensions - 168.5mm x 91mm

Back - An iron ore mining processing plant. Iron ore is the largest mineral found in the country. Other minerals found in the country are copper, gold, petroleum, gypsum and others.

...Morocco - 2023 Series Of Four Notes

المملكة المغربية

(Kingdom of Morocco)

al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah

 

 بنك المغرب

Bank Al-Maghrib

(Bank of Morrocco, est.1959)

Currency -  Dirham (MAD)

 

Here are the four notes of 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams all dated 2023 but released in stages. The first two notes of 100 and 200 dirhams were released in 2023 and the remaining two notes were made available in 2024. 

 

This is a new series of banknotes with new designs. Whilst the front maintains the portrait of Morocco monarch King Mohammed VI, the backs are completely new. Like previous issues, I believe what I have posted here is a full set.

 

Twenty Dirhams

Signatures:

Government Representative - Mohamed Manchoud

Governor -Abdelatif Jouahri (since 2003)

Watermark - King and electrotype 20

Dimensions - 131mm x 71mm

Front - The portrait of King Mohammed VI. King Mohammed VI was born on 21.08.1963 and ascended on 23.07.1999, following the death of his father King Hassan II (b.1929-1999). The Coat of Arms is printed to the far right. In the center left is the image of the University of al-Qarawiyyin courtyard in the city of Fez. This University was first founded as a mosque in 857-859 and was converted into a university in 1963. Fez is situated 200 kilometers west of Rabat, the nation's capital.

Back - The Great Theater of Rabat. Construction for this theater started in 2014 and I believe this project was completed recently, or about to be completed. This building is located along the Oued Bou Regreg river, very close to the North Atlantic ocean. On top of that is the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat (built in 2014) and in the background is an image of part of a stadium with running tracks. 

Fifty Dirhams

Signatures:

Government Representative - Mohamed Manchoud

Governor -Abdelatif Jouahri (since 2003)

Watermark - King and electrotype 50

Dimensions - 138mm x 70.5mm

 

Front - Portrait of King Mohammed VI was the second child and the eldest son of King Hassan II. Apart from an elder sister, the king also has two young sisters and a brother.

Back - To the center is the Noor solar power plant in Quarzazate which was built in 2016. Next to this power plant are the solar panels and a couple of wind turbines. In the upper center is the Ouirgane dam. To the far top left is the Saffron flower.

One Hundred Dirhams

Signatures:

Government Representative - Mohamed Manchoud

Governor -Abdelatif Jouahri (since 2003)

Watermark - King and electrotype 100

Dimensions - 145mm x 70.5mm

 

Front - Portrait of King Mohammed VI. In the center is the arcades of Hassan II mosque in Casablanca. The Hassan II mosque was constructed in 1993 and has the world's second tallest minaret ever built. The mosque was built during the reign of King Hassan II.

 

Back - To the left is the Tiznet-Dakhla expressway. This highway is 1,055 kilometers long and links the two cities in the south thus improving connectivity between the two southern cities and region and as such reduce travel times. This highway also improves safety, and encourages investment, economic and social development. It should be noted that the city of Dakhla is located in what used to be the Western Sahara region. Next to the highway is the Place Mechouar monument in Laayoune in Western Sahara. In the center is the Tan-Tan Moussem festival, an annual gathering held since 1963 by the local tribes in southern Morocco. The purpose of this gathering is to promote local traditions, provide a place of trade, meeting and celebration among the people.

 

Two Hundred Dirhams

Signatures:

Government Representative - Mohamed Manchoud

Governor -Abdelatif Jouahri (since 2003)

Watermark - King and electrotype 200

Dimensions - 152mm x 71mm 

 

Front - Portrait of King Mohammed VI. To the left is the Mohammed VI bridge over the Oued Bou Regreg river in Rabat. This bridge was built in 2016 and has a total length of 950 meters. 

 

Back - To the left is the Mohammad VI tower which is located in Sale, north of Rabat. The tower was constructed in 2023 and is a 55 story 250 meter skyscraper. The construction for the project was privately funded and is the third tallest building in Africa. In the center is the Marrakech-Menara International Airport in the city of Marrakech. 

...Zimbabwe - $100 2023 Hybrid Reprint

 Republic of Zimbabwe

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (est.1956)

(The King of Funny Money)

Currency : Dollar (ZWD)

 

This is a $100 reprint note dated 2023. I believe this is the last issue for this series as on 05.04.2026, the government of Zimbabwe introduced a new currency called Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). This new currency replaced the current series first introduced in 2019.

This $100 note was first introduced on 06.04.2022. The last $100 note prior to this series was issued in 2009.

Zimbabwe has experienced years of hyperinflation mainly due to poor economy management, and because of this, the government was forced to accept a multi-currency systems, such as the US dollar. About 80% of the country's local transactions are settled with the USD. Despite the government trying to rely on its own currency by issuing a new Zimbabwean dollar in 2019, and also repeated efforts by the authorities to boost confidence, the Zimbabwean dollar continued to decline and lost its value by 80% in 2023. The multi-currency was supposed to end in 2025, but this has now been extended to 2030.

One Hundred Dollars

Matapos Balancing rocks

 

Front - Like all banknotes issued since 2019, the design on the front depicts the Matapos Balancing rocks near the town of Epworth. The image of the Matapos Balancing rocks have been the main feature on many of its previous series since the early 1980s, except briefly in the 2000s. 

Governor - John Panonetsa Mangudya (tenure 2014-2024)

Dimensions - 158mm x 67mm

Watermark - Zimbabwe eagle (Bateleur eagle)

Back - The main feature on the back is a baobab tree and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins Monument. The baobab tree is a native tree in Madagascar, but they are also found in mainland Africa, Southwest Asia and even in northern Australia. This tree is also sometimes known as the 'Upside Down tree' because of its look. During the dry season the tree will lose all the leaves and the care branches resemble the roots of a tree. The shape of the baobab tree is quite unique as you can identify it with a huge trunk. Growing straight up before it branches out with leaves on the top. Next to the baobab tree is the Great Zimbabwe Ruins monument. The ruins are located in the south-eastern hills of Zimbabwe, near lake Mutirikwi. It is believed that the ruins was constructed in the 9th century and was once the capital of a kingdom. This site is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

 

Baobab tree, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins monument

Dimensions - 158.5mm x 66mm

 

 Replacement prefix ZZ

Baobab tree, the Great Zimbabwe Ruins monument