New additions week 41 - 2012

The autumn winds are blowing throught the streets and the days are getting darker and colder. But don't be too depressed because I have found some new banknotes for my collection! I've managed to expand the number of countries in my collection and I even added my daughter Charlie's favourite little friend.

Since I was in Delft for another appointment I took the opportunity to visit Van Domburg. I bought my first banknotes in that shop many years ago. It was nice to be back again and see nothing had changed. Still boxes everywhere and hundreds of binders filled with stamps, coins and banknotes. The smell of old paper was in the air. They sell mostly stamps and the banknotes are scattered throughout the shop but if you're not in a hurry you can always find something to your liking. Luckily I was the first customer of the day so I had all the time in the world to find the following new banknotes.

While I waited for the shop to open I saw behind the glass some notes I'd been searching for in Paris recently: Disney Dollars. This isn't money you can put on your bank account but you can spend it in Disneyland and Disneyworld in the USA. That was also the reason I couldn't find them in Disneyland Paris a few weeks ago: they're not accepted on this side of the ocean. I immediately bought three notes: from 1987, 2008 and 2009. I think they're beautiful designs. I know some collectors think they shouldn't be in a banknote collection but as far as I'm concerned it's money and it belongs with the other banknotes. You can find more information on Disney Dollars at this website.

I also acquired this very pretty 100 Francs (P107) from Belgium, 1938. Belgian paper money in UNC grade (for the non-informed: that's the highest quality) is rare and this note is no exception. But it still looks great and I have a soft spot for pretty banknotes.
The 1000 Francs (P10a) from Gabon means a new country has been added. Like many other African banknotes this one is also a beauty with nice colors and pictures.
Another new country is Malaysia with the blue 1 Ringgit (P39).
Just behind Malaysia in the alphabet is another new country: Mauritius. Named after the Dutch Stadtholder Maurits the island was colonised from 1598 on by the Dutch. They managed to wipe out the native Dodo but the ugly bird makes a comeback on this 10 Rupees (P31c).
The last new country and banknote is the 5 Dirham (P19a) from the United Arab Emirates. It was issued in the year 2000 (or 1420 if you follow the Arab calendar which is also used on this banknote).