africa

...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 For this 2024 series, the word Sudanese has been replaced by Sudan - South Sudan Pounds.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

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

...South Sudan - 500 And 1000 Pounds Series 2023

The Republic of South Sudan

Bank of South Sudan (Est.2011)

Currency - Pound (SSP)

Since I started collecting the South Sudan banknotes when the country became independent in 2011, I thought I should keep collecting them, as they are fairly cheap and quite easy to obtain. However, I must admit that I was a bit slack, as I am still missing two notes from the 2016 series, which I will have to look around eventually to complete my collection.

Here I have posted the two notes of 500 and 1000 pounds both printed with the year date of 2023. I believe these are the only two notes printed/issued with this year's date. Since 2019, the central bank has not issued any banknotes that are lower than 500 pounds. I am not quite sure if inflation has anything to do with this. Because of a weak economy, some of the lower denomination banknotes are not worth the paper printed on.

There are no changes to the designs on these two notes. However, these are the last notes that are printed with the words South Sudanese Pounds, as from 2024, the country's currency is referred to as South Sudan Pounds only.

Five Hundred Pounds

Governor - Johnny Ohisa (Aug-2022 - Oct 2023)

Minister of Finance - Dr Bak Barnaba Chol (Aug 2023 - Mar-2024)

Series - 2023

Watermark - John Garang de Mabior and electrotype 500

Dimensions - 155mm x 79mm

One Thousand Pounds

Front - On the front is a portrait of 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 - Johnny Ohisa (Aug-2022 - Oct 2023)

Minister of Finance - Dr Bak Barnaba Chol (Aug 2023 - Mar-2024)

Series - 2023

Watermark - John Garang de Mabior and electrotype 1000

Dimensions - 159mm x 82.5mm

...Lesotho - Full Set of 2021 Series Reprints

Naha ea Lesotho

(Kingdom of Lesotho)

Banka e Kholo ea Lesotho

(Central Bank of Lesotho, Est.1978)

Currency - Loti (LSL)

Posted here is a full set of five notes all printed with the year date of 2021. These notes are the reprint of the previous series, first introduced in 2011 (all dated 2010). The designs are the same, except that they are modified with wider and a different security thread and with new a signature as well. The previous 200 maloti was introduced in 2016 (dated 2015), and was printed in Hybrid material. These 2021 reprints are printed on paper material, including the 200 maloti.

This is the second set I have purchased since March 2024. The mail for the first purchase did not arrive. I have bought this second set from a different dealer. It was disappointing that when a letter is lost and I have no recourse as payment was made via direct bank deposit. This was an overseas purchase. Whilst missing mail is not uncommon, I believe that the seller should also take some responsibility for the loss. How do I know if they had posted the mail in the first place, especially if settlement was done via direct payment, or the responsibility of the dealer to ensure the mail was posted by himself and not by one of his staff members? Some years ago, I bought a few notes from overseas, and after waiting for two months, the letter finally arrived. The original letter posted by the dealer was placed inside another larger envelope with the country's postal services logo printed on the front of the larger envelope. It appears that the contents of the original letter were removed and the empty letter was then placed in a larger envelope and reposted to me. Not sure why they bother to do that as they could have just thrown the empty envelope away.

The Kingdom of Lesotho is a landlocked country and is an enclave of South Africa. In 1843, it came under British protection and achieved independence on 04.10.1966. The capital of Lesotho is Maseru. Lesotho was once known as Basutoland. The Loti currency is at par with the South African Rand.

All notes are printed with the signature of Dr. Adelaide Retselisitsoe Matlanyane. She is now the Minister of Finance and Development Planning in the Lesotho government.

Ten Maloti

Signature - Dr. Adelaide Retselisitsoe Matlanyane (tenure 2012-2021)

Date - (23 December) 2021

Watermark - King Moshoeshoe, electrotype 10, Basotho hat

Dimensions - 133mm x 71mm

Front - Portrait of (L-R) King Moshoeshoe ll (b.1938-1996), King Letsie lll (b.1963-) and King Moshoeshoe l (b.1786-1870). King Letsie lll is the son of King Mosgoeshoe ll, whilst King Moshoeshoe l was the first king of Lesotho and the founder of the nation too. He was also the longest serving king, reigned from 1822 to 1870.