...Somalia - 1000 Shilin Dated 1990 And 1996

Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya

Federal Republic of Somalia

 

Central Bank of Somalia, Est.1960

Currency - Shilin (SOS)

 

Here, I have posted three notes from the country of Somalia. These three notes are all 1000 shilin and are also from the same design. Two notes are dated 1996 from the same series and the third one is dated 1990 and this 1990 print was issued by a disputed region, called Puntland in Somalia.

 

There are many varieties for the first two notes, but I only have two of them from Somalia and one from Somalia Puntland. The first Somalia note is printed with a 6-digit serial number and the other one is printed with a 7-digit serial number. All three notes are quite enjoyable to collect. Collecting cheap notes is just as fun as chasing rare and expensive notes. 

 

 

One Thousand Shilin 

 

 

Front - The note depicts two women weaving baskets and mats. Above the two women is the Coat of Arms.

 

Signatures

Chairman  - Ali Abdi Amalow

Cashier - Hassan Elmi Barkhadle 

Date - 1996

Serial Number - 6-digit 

Watermark - Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan 

Sizes - 153mm x 73mm

 

Back - Bird-eye view of port of Mogadishu, capital of Somalia and below that is a roll of buildings.
 

 One Thousand Shilin

 

Signatures

Chairman  - Ali Abdi Amalow

Cashier - Hassan Elmi Barkhadle 

Date - 1996

Serial Number - 7-digit 

Watermark - Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan 

Sizes - 154mm x 74mm 

 

 

One Thousand Shilin

 

Signatures

Chairman  - Ali Abdi Amalow

Cashier - Hassan Elmi Barkhadle 

Date - 1990

Watermark - Sayyid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan 

Sizes - 150mm x 74.5mm 

 

This note was reportedly issued by Somalia Puntland. The Somalia Puntland, or also known as Puntland or Puntland State of Somali, is a semi-autonomous state and is considered as part of Somalia. Puntland was formed in 1998 and is located in the northeast part of Somalia or the Horn of Africa. The capital of Puntland is Garoowe situated in the Nugal region. With this semi-autonomous state created, it basically split Somalia into three regions. In the north of Puntland is Somaliland and in the south is the rest of Somalia. It is believed that ongoing conflict in the entire Somalia region is still happening with no sign of ending.

 

...Namibia - 2025 Series Full Set (Hybrid for $10 and $20)

Republic of Namibia

Bank of Namibia (Est.1990)

Currency : Dollar (NAD)

 

Here, I have posted a full for five notes all reportedly released on 30.09.2025. The themes for this series are the same as those previously issued but with modified designs and additional security features added to the notes. On the front, the notes depict two Namibia national heroes and on the back it features all four-legged wild animals.

The two lower denominations of $10 and $20 are printed on Hybrid substrate materials and both have a transparent square window in the center right. The transparent window is measured 10 x 10mm. The remaining three notes are all printed on paper materials.

 

All notes are printed with the year date of 2025 on the back. The signature on each note is printed on the front and the serial number is also printed on the back.

Ten Dollars (Hybrid)

Front - On the front, the note depicts the portrait of Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma (b.1929-2025). Samuel Nujoma was a Namibian revolutionary, anti-apartheid activist and served three terms as the first president of Namibia from 1990 to 2005. Namibia was once known as South West Africa, and was occupied by the Germans from 1884 to 1915. The South African forces (British) defeated the Germans occupier in 1915 during the First World War and in 1920, the League of Nations (similar to today's United Nations) granted the territory to South African rule. Fighting for independence started in 1966 between People's Liberation Army of Namibia and South African Defence Force and the war was called the South African Border War and this war was closely intertwined with the Angola Civil War (1975-2002). The war ended when the Tripartite Accord was signed by Angola, Cuba and South Africa and Namibia gained independence on 21.03.1993. In Namibia, Samuel Nujoma is known as the Founding Father of the Namibia Nation. To the center left is the Parliament building located in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. 

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Springbok and electrotype 10

Sizes - 130mm x 70mm 

Back - Two Springbok (or Speingbuck) looking out for predators. The Springbok is an antelope and mainly found in south and southwest Africa (Namibia).

Twenty Dollars (Hybrid)

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Red hartebeest and electrotype 20

Sizes - 135mm x 70mm  

Back - Two Red hartebeest looking out for predators. The Red hartebeest is also known as Cape hartebeest or Caama. There are approximately 130,000 of these animals living in the wild. The Red hartebeest, is also an antelope, and can be found mainly in the southern part of Africa, like in countries of Angola (southern part), Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

Fifty Dollars (Paper)

Front - The portrait of Captain Hendrik Witbooi (b.1830-1905) who was a chief of the Ikowesin people and he led revolts against the German occupation in present-day Namibia. He was killed in action in 1905, and in Namibia, he is one of the national heroes of Namibia. His image has appeared on Namibia banknotes since the first series issued in 1993.

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Kudo and electrotype 50

Sizes - 140mm x 70.5mm  

Back - Five kudus (males and females) in an open field. The kudu also belongs to the antelope species.

 

One Hundred Dollars (Paper)

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Oryx and electrotype 100

Sizes - 148mm x 70mm  

Back - Three oryx from southern Africa. The oryx species in southern Africa is called the gemsbok and they can be found in the arid regions of the Kalahari and Namib deserts. These are large antelopes which are well adapted to servive with very little water in the wild. The gemsbok can be found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and part of Zimbabwe.

 

Two Hundred Dollars (Paper) 

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Roan antelope and electrotype 200 

Sizes - 152mm x 70mm  

Back - Three roan antelope standing in the open field. The Roan antelopes are savanna-dwelling antelope and can be found in central and southern Africa.  

...Zambia - Full Set of Six Notes 2024 (2025) Issues

Republic of Zambia

Bank of Zambia (Est. 1964)

Currency - Kwacha (ZMW) 

This set of six notes were first issued on 31.03.2025, with the denominations of 10, 20, 200 and 500 kwacha. I am not sure when the reminder notes of 50 and 100 kwacha were issued. 

The designs on all notes are new and all notes are printed with the year dated 2024. All notes on the front depict a flying African Fish eagle and a different image in the middle (underprint) on all the notes. On the back, a different tree is printed to the left, a waterfall and native wild animals. The designs on these notes, especially on the back, are related to tourism and it showcases the wildlife of the country and the natural beauty of Zambia's water falls. 

Signature 

Governor - Dr Denny H Kalyalya (tenure 2015-2020, since 2021)

Watermark - Fish eagle's head (weak image and hard to see) and electrotype each showing the denomination value.

Ten Kwacha 

dated 2024, sizes 21.5mm x 71mm

Front - A flying African Fish eagle in flight. The African Fish eagle is the national bird of Zambia. Above the eagle is the map of Zambia, and in the background is an image of the Kariba dam. The name of this dam is not printed on the note. 

Back - To the left is a Zambezi teak tree, the Kabwelume Falls in the middle and below that is a pair of Temminck pangolins. A Teak tree is printed in the far left.

Twenty Kwacha

dated 2024, sizes 126.5mm x 71mm

Front - A flying African Fish eagle in flight. The African Fish eagle is the national bird of Zambia. Above the eagle is the map of Zambia, and in the background is an image of a farm tractor. 

Back - Candelabra tree, Chishimba Falls in the middle and a pair of kudus. A Candelabra tree is printed in the far left and below that are four cape buffalos.

Fifty Kwacha 

dated 2024, sizes - 130mm x 70mm

Front - A flying African Fish eagle in flight. The African Fish eagle is the national bird of Zambia. Above the eagle is the map of Zambia, and in the background is a dump truck.

Back -  A pair of Agapornis personatus a.k.a. masked lovebird. Printed in the background is the Lumangwe falls and to the far left is the Baobab tree. Below the Baobab tree are four rhinoceros

One Hundred Kwacha

dated 2024, sizes 135mm x 70mm

Front - A flying African Fish eagle in flight. The African Fish eagle is the national bird of Zambia. Above the eagle is the map of Zambia, and in the background is the image of the world famous Victoria falls. 

Back - A pair of giraffes with Siama falls in the background. A Mukuyu tree is printed on the far left and below that are four leopards.

Two Hundred Kwacha

dated 2024, sizes 141.5mm x 71mm

Front - A flying African Fish eagle in flight. The African Fish eagle is the national bird of Zambia. Above the eagle is the map of Zambia, and in the background is an image of the Kazungula bridge. The Kazungula bridge is built over the Zambezi river and is located in the south of Zambia. This bridge is the gateway to Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.  

Back - Ing'ombe Ilede tree, a pair of rhinoceroses and the Kalambo Falls. To the far left is a Ing'ombe Ilede tree and below are four elephants.

Five Hundred Kwacha 

dated 2024, sizes 146.5mm x 71mm

Front - A flying African Fish eagle in flight. The African Fish eagle is the national bird of Zambia. Above the eagle is the map of Zambia, and in the background is the Bank of Zambia building situated in Lusaka.

Back - Acacia tree, a pair of Cape buffalos and Victoria Falls. A Acacia tree printed on the far left and four lions below that.

...Mauritania - 2002 Print of Three Notes (Full Set)

  الجمهورية الإسلامية الموريتانية

(The Islamic Republic of Mauritania)

 

البنك المركزي الموريتاني

 (Central Bank of Mauritania, Est.1973)

Currency - Ouguiya (MRU)

 

Below are three notes all printed with the date of 28.11.2002 all with matching signatures. This series was first introduced in 1974 and was printed by G&D (Giesecke+Devrient) in Germany. The last print for this series was 2002 and here are the three notes from the final print. This series was introduced with four notes and I do not have the 1000 ouguiya for this series. However, it should be noted that there are no 1000 ouguiya printed with the date of 28.11.2002. And given that only three notes were printed with this 2002 date, the three notes below are considered as a full set.

 

Whilst these notes are more than 20+ years old, there is no shortage in supply and not to mention that these notes are very cheap to buy in uncirculated conditions too. 

 

One Hundred Ouguiya 

Front - All Arabic text and ornate design

General Treasurer - ???

Governor - Ba Seydou Moussa

Watermark - Image of a bearded man

Sizes - 145.5mm x 70.5mm

 

Back - French text, musical instrument to the far left and a cow with a tower printed in the background.  

 

Two Hundred Ouguiya 

Front - All Arabic text and ornate design

 

General Treasurer - ???

Governor - Ba Seydou Moussa

Watermark - Image of a bearded man

Sizes - 156mm x 81mm

 

Back - Rod and bowl to the left and dugout canoe, palm tree and a manual well pump (wooden crane with rope and bucket) to the right.

 

Five Hundred Ouguiya

Front - All Arabic text and ornate design

 

General Treasurer - ???

Governor - Ba Seydou Moussa

Watermark - Image of a bearded man

Sizes - 162mm x 87mm 

 

Back - Field workers harvesting to the left and mining processing plants with conveyors.

 

...Libya - 5 and 20 Dinars Polymer ND2025 Issues

ليبيا

Libya

 

 مصرف ليبيا المركزي

(Central Bank of Libya)

Currency - Dinar (LYD)

Here are the two polymer notes of 5 and 20 dinars reportedly issued in 2025. These are the second and third polymer notes issued since the 1 dinar polymer note was first introduced in 2019. Whilst these two notes were issued in 2025, no year dates are printed on either of the notes.

Based on what the notes have been issued, it is fair to say that the central bank is embracing polymer note series going forward, perhaps for the remainder of the series. At the moment, only the 10 and 50 dinars are yet to be issued for this polymer series. The 50 dinars is still the largest denomination circulating in the economy.

Five Dinars (Polymer)

Front - Image of the Ottoman Clock Tower in Tripoli. Situated in the city of Ottoman, it is believed that this clock tower was built in 1870 during the occupation by the Ottoman empire. The Ottoman empire ruled Libya from 1551 to 1912, and then took over by the Italian, after the defeat of the Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912). I believe the tower is painted in white colour or perhaps in creamy colour.the tower is located in the Tarabulus district in Tripoli.

Governor - Naji Mohamed Issa Belqasem (since 2024)

Watermark - Omar Mukhtar (clear window)

Sizes - 136mm x 88.5mm

Back - Temple of Zeus in Cyrene is a historical site, first built by the Romans in the 6th century BC. The temple was then rebuilt again in the 2nd century AD after it was destroyed by a revolt in 115 AD. In the 4th century AD, again it was destroyed, but this time by an earthquake and since then, no attempt has been carried out to either repair or rebuild the temple again. Cyrene is just an archeological ruins site situated near the village of Shahhat, northeast of Libya. In 2017, this site was listed as a World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO. 

Twenty Dinars (Polymer)

Front - Image of Al-Atiq mosque in Awjila. This is a Sunni Islam mosque situated in the oasis village of Awjila, north-east of Libya. The mosque is located in the o;d city area of Awjila and it is dated from the 12th century. This mosque was made mainly from mud and limestone with unusual conical domes.

Governor - Naji Mohamed Issa Belqasem (since 2024)

Watermark - Omar Mukhtar (clear window)

Sizes - 149mm x 74.5mm

Back - A girl school in Ghadames. Ghasames is a historical oasis city in northwestern Libya. It is not sure which school this is related to. This image looks like the White-washed former Italian and Koranic school in Ghadames. The school is situated in the old town of Ghadames. This school was built centuries ago and was originally an Italian school, and later served as a Koranic school. The school is a historical landmark in the old city of Ghadames.