The fantasy banknote creator Mujand has issued several new series of fantasy banknotes, some of which I have had the good fortune to hold in my hand and admire the beautiful artwork up close. The notes are quite popular judging by the many sold-out signs in the webshop. Take this as a hint to order your specimens fast if you like them (Christmas is just around the corner...).
For a while we have seen some interesting notes from the fictional world of Blissdane Naïve. The nations on the planet and their history provide a seemingly endless source of inspiration for the many banknote sets. Recent side projects like the National Parks and the Legend series prove however that 'our' world can also be a big inspiration for some very nice designs.
The Legend series has three new notes of which one suprised me. The new notes feature Pocahontas, Jeanne d'Arc and Benedict Arnold. Now the last person was a surprise for me. Because I had always assumed after the first two notes in this series (Mata Hari and Lady Godiva) that we would get to see female legends. Apparently men are also welcome on these notes which opens up a whole range of possible new legends for future.
Of the three new notes I like the one with Jeanne d'Arc (or Jehanne d'Arc as it is spelled in the old way on the note) the most. It looks very similar to some of the old French banknotes which I happen to like a lot.
A new series from the world of Blissdane Naïve is the one from Mrokland. The series is called "the archers of Obrion" and the notes all show different archers ready to shoot their arrows.
The second new series is from the 'Isle of Komplece' and is my favourite of the lot. Why? Simple: animals! I always like to see animals on banknotes and this series in particular is fantastic. The notes have aquatic animals on the front and a bird on the back. I would immediately believe it if some country by the sea on our planet would issue these banknotes as their own. For some reason I got a bit of a Norwegian vibe from the notes (no turtles or dolphins in their waters of course, but still...).
The nation of Romedia is another new entry from Mujand. The look and feel of these notes is completely different from the one above, from the Isle of Komplece. But the collector of exotic animals will be happy: lots of beautiful animals on the front and the back.
The last new series of Mujand is a very interesting one. When I first saw the notes I immediately got this propaganda feel from them. And not the good kind of propaganda: the caricatures of greedy, wealthy people on the back in contrast with the poor beside them feels like a political message. A very interesting design!
All the notes, current and past series and the stories behind the notes can be seen on Mujand.com.
Disclaimer: these notes were sent for review purposes. The text is entirely mine and was not paid for or asked for in any way.
The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago has issued a new polymer 100-dollar banknote on 9 December 2019. "The Central Bank intends to expand the range of polymer notes to the other denominations in 2020. The new polymer $100 note will co-circulate with the existing paper-based $100 note remaining as legal tender until further notice."
The Banca Nationala a Romaniei (National Bank of Romania) has issued a new commemorative nomismatic product on 4 December 2019. A similar product was issued a year ago. This time the 100-lei commemorates the anniversary of The Completion of the Great Union. The notes features are:
size: 147x82 mm
prevailing colour: blue
polymer substrate, offset/intaglio printing
From the website: "Obverse: the following representative graphic elements: to the right, in the foreground, the portrait of Ion I.C. Brătianu, and, below, his name and birth and death years, namely “ION I.C. BRĂTIANU 1864-1927”, while in the central part, an image of the Order of Carol I decoration, that Ion I.C. Brătianu received in 1922. In the background, in the central part, an interior image of the Romanian Athenaeum.
The obverse also shows: the coat of arms of Romania, the name of the central bank “BANCA NAȚIONALĂ A ROMÂNIEI” and the NBR logo in a medallion. The face value is printed four times, as follows: in the bottom left corner, horizontally, in figures “100”; down in the central part, horizontally, in letters on two lines “LEI UNA SUTĂ”; in the bottom right corner, vertically, in letters “UNA SUTĂ LEI”; and in the top right corner, vertically, in figures “100”.
Centrally, in the top left corner is the medallion with a superposed image of a stylised depiction of a skylight built into the inner dome of the Romanian Athenaeum.
The signatures of the Governor and Chief Cashier are printed in the central part, above the face value in letters.
The date of putting the banknote into circulation, i.e. “1 decembrie 2019”, is printed vertically, to the right.
In the background of the banknote, stylised geometric motifs are printed in subdued colours.
The reverse of the banknote features a graphic composition: to the left, a vintage image of the former palace of the Assembly of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, currently the Patriarchate Palace and, in the centre, an image of the reverse of the Order of Carol I decoration.
Down, the text “FALSIFICAREA ACESTOR BILETE SE PEDEPSEŞTE CONFORM LEGILOR” (Counterfeiting is punishable according to the law) is printed horizontally on two lines.
Up, the name of the central bank “BANCA NAŢIONALĂ A ROMÂNIEI” is printed horizontally and the NBR logo is shown in the top right corner and bottom left corner.
Centrally, in the top right corner is the medallion with a superposed image of a stylised depiction of a skylight built into the inner dome of the Romanian Athenaeum.
The face value is printed as follows: in the top left corner and down, in the centre, vertically, in figures “100”; in the top left corner, in the serial number area and in the bottom right corner, horizontally, in figures “100”; and in the bottom left corner in letters, “UNA SUTĂ LEI”.
In the background of the banknote, stylised geometric motifs are printed in subdued colours.
The serial number of the banknote is printed in letters and figures, in red and black ink, as follows: to the left, horizontally, in red ink, with fonts of ascending height and to the right, vertically, in black ink with fonts of the same height.
As protection against counterfeiting, the banknote includes the following security features for the public:
Security features in the polymer substrate, visible on both the front and the back of the banknote:
a complex transparent window, vertically, featuring:watermark, depicting a fragment of the Order of Carol I decoration and the NBR logo, visible when the note is held up to the light;
in the centre, the multi-toned portrait of I.C. Brătianu;
in the upper part, a graphical depiction of the reverse of the Order of Carol I decoration, including in the middle an element that is visible only when viewed under a point source of light;
around the central part, as well as above and below the transparent window, graphic elements in optically variable ink (blue-green), which change colour depending on the angle from which they are viewed;
a magnetic security thread, displaying in negative the microtext “ROMÂNIA 100”, readable from four different directions;
Moreover, graphic elements of different sizes, in iridescent blue ink, containing the face value “100” in negative are visible only on the reverse.
Security features added via printing:
a raised tactile relief:a latent image: on the reverse, the inscription “BNR” on the image of the former palace of the Assembly of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, currently the Patriarchate Palace, above the entrance doors, visible when the banknote is tilted;
on the obverse: the portrait of Ion I.C. Brătianu, the coat of arms of Romania, the depiction of the Order of Carol I decoration, the name of the central bank “BANCA NAŢIONALĂ A ROMÂNIEI”, the NBR logo in a medallion, the face value in figures and letters, the embossed feature “100” in the transparent window and the text “LEI UNA SUTĂ” on two lines, in ink shifting from golden to green when the banknote is tilted;
on the reverse: the former palace of the Assembly of Deputies of the Romanian Parliament, currently the Patriarchate Palace, the image of the reverse of the Order of Carol I decoration, the name of the central bank “BANCA NAŢIONALĂ A ROMÂNIEI”, the NBR logo, the rectangle with the NBR logo, the face value in figures, vertically, in the top left corner and, horizontally, in the bottom right corner and, in letters, horizontally, in the bottom left corner, and the text “FALSIFICAREA ACESTOR BILETE SE PEDEPSEŞTE CONFORM LEGILOR” (Counterfeiting is punishable according to the law);
an obverse-reverse superposed image: a stylised depiction of a skylight built into the inner dome of the Romanian Athenaeum. The superposition is visible when the banknote is held up to the light;
laser micro-perforations: the face value “100” placed vertically, in the central part;
an anti-scan, anti-copy pattern: in the clear areas to the left and to the right, on both the front and the back of the banknote;
a design secured by an offset rainbow colouring: on the obverse, up in the centre, and on the reverse, down in the centre.
Additionally, both the obverse and reverse include security elements added via printing, detectable by special devices, namely:
a microtext in offset printing:
on the obverse: “BNR”, below and above the left-hand half of the portrait of Ion I.C. Brătianu;
on the reverse: “BNR” printed in negative, in the stylised medallion.
a microtext in intaglio printing:
on the obverse: “BANCA NATIONALA A ROMANIEI”, above the text showing the name of the issuing central bank and “BNR” inside the figures indicating the face value, in the bottom left corner;
on the reverse: “BNR” in the left-hand rectangle and in the figures indicating the face value, to the right.
UV-fluorescent ink printing on the reversemagnetism: the serial number of the banknote in black ink."
a stamp-like image showing the face value of the banknote in figures “100”, to the left, horizontally, that appears in yellow or green under ultraviolet light;
the serial number of the banknote to the left, horizontally, in red, that appears in orange under ultraviolet light and to the right, vertically, in black, that appears in yellow or green under ultraviolet light;
magnetism: the serial number of the banknote in black ink."
The Bank of Ghana has announced two new higher denominations of 100- and 200-cedis. The reason for the issuing of these higher denominations is rather simple: inflation. The new notes will complement the updated series of banknotes which was issued on 6 May 2019.
It will come as no surprise that 1- and 2-cedis banknotes will gradually be replaced by coins.
The Banco Central de Sao Tome e Principe has met with De la Rue to discuss issuing three new banknotes: the 5-, 10- and 200-dobra notes. There were problems with all three denominations. The 5- and 10-dobra notes couldn't cope with the climate in São Tomé and Príncipe. The 200-dobra note was withdrawn due to safety issues. The new notes will be printed on paper with better security features and better durability.
The new 5-, 10- and 200-dobra banknotes are expected to enter the São Tomé financial market from the first half of 2020.
The National Bank of Ukraine will issue two new banknotes in the coming weeks. First a new 50-hryvnia note will be issued on 20 December 2019. A couple of weeks later, on 25 February 2020, a new 200-hryvnia note will be issued. With these two notes the family of new banknotes is complete.
From the press release: "The design of the updated banknotes inherits the new generation of 20-, 100-, 500- and 1000-hryvnia banknotes. They contain the main images of the current 50- and 200-hryvnia banknotes, have similar sizes and similar colors."
The Czech National Bank has announced it will issue a new commemoratove banknote in 2022. The note will feature a portrait of Karel Engliš (1880 - 1961), the most important financier of the First Republic.
Engliš was the first rector of Masaryk University in Brno and from 1947 to 1948 rector of Charles University in Prague. Together with Alois Rašín (who featured the first commemorative Czech banknote), he was instrumental in the Czechoslovak currency reform after the First World War as Minister of Finance. From 1934 to 1938 he was governor of the Czechoslovak National Bank.
The Norges Bank has issued the last note of the iconic new series: the 1,000-kroner banknote.
"The motifs on all denominations of the new banknote series depict the sea and are based on proposals from Metric Design, Terje Tønnessen and Snøhetta. The notes as printed have been created by the artist Sverre Morken and Norges Bank’s own banknote designers Arild Yttri and Morten Johansen."
In 2013 the Central Bank of Cuba has issued a new 500-peso commemorative note on 15 November 2019. The note commemorates the 500th anniversary of the founding of the capital city of Havana.
On the front of the regular 500-peso note is a logo with the date 16/11/1519 on it. The image on the back is replaced with El Templete and the text EL TEMPLETE (1828) - HAVANA FOUNDATION SITE (1519).
The Bank of Scotland has unveiled two versions of its new 20-pound note. The regular version has the familiar image of Sir Walter Scott on the front and the red Forth Bridge on the back (which was listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July 2015).
There is also a commemorative version which has the same front, but the Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth on the back. "Measuring 139 x 73 mm – compared to the current 149 x 80mm – the two notes are slightly smaller than existing paper £20 notes in circulation but are consistent with a new size to be issued by the Bank of England and other UK banks in 2020." This special issue can also be recognized by its serial number which has QF and QC as prefix.
Both notes will be printed by De La Rue on polymer (Guardian) substrate. The notes are expected to enter circulation early 2020.
The National Bank of Cambodia has issued a new commemorative note with the unusual denomination of 15,000 riels. The note commemorates the 15th anniversary of the coronation of the King Norodom Sihamoni.
The note has its main colors purple, lavender and blue. The front shows a portrait of King Norodom Sihamoni. The back of the note depicts a picture taken with his parents (former King Norodom Sihanouk and former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk) which has been used on more banknotes.
At the bottom on the back of the note, it reads: "Congratulations the 15th Anniversary of the Coronation of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Boromneth NORODOM SIHAMONI (29 October 2004 - 29 October 2019".
The National Bank of Ukraine has issued a new 1,000-hryvnia banknote on 25 October 2019. The new note shows an image of Volodymyr Vernadsky on the front. "Volodymyr Vernadskyi, one of Ukraine’s most famous scientists, was one of the few polymaths of the last century, both a thinker and a natural scientist."
The Bulgarian National Bank has announced that a modified 50-lev banknote will be issued from 1 November 2019. The note is part of the new modified series. The overall design and main features of the new banknote remain unchanged with respect to the banknotes in circulation. Changes in the banknotes of the new series stem mainly from the introduction of new security features.
Some of the new safety features:
An additional sign for the blind: it consists of four thick and seven thin lines, angled at both short sides of the banknote.
Holographic band with optical effects: alternating images of a bird and Icarus alternate when the viewing angle changes; color hologram portrait of Pencho Slaveikov; a book that changes color from golden to green when the viewing angle changes; a dynamic flame effect with a change in color from golden to green as the viewing angle changes and a 3D image of the number 50.
Optical Effect Ink: the number 50 is printed with a color-changing, dynamic flame ink that changes from golden to green when the viewing angle is changed.
Security thread: embedded in the paper and partially protruding from the reverse with a light repeating text "BNB 50" and a dynamic flame effect changing its color from golden to green. The image of the repeated text "BNB 50" can be read from the front when the banknote is placed against a light source.
High resolution watermark: can be observed when holding the banknote against a light source. It consists of a high resolution halftone image of Pencho Slaveikov's portrait. The images can also be observed on the back of the banknote.
The Bank of England has unveiled what the new 20-pound note will look like with a press release on 10 October 2019. The new note has painter J.M.W. Turner as its subject.
Features on the new £20 note include:
A large see-through window with a blue and gold foil on the front depicting Margate lighthouse and Turner Contemporary. The foil is silver on the back. The shape of the large window is based on the shape of the fountains in Trafalgar Square.
A smaller see-through window in the bottom corner of the note, inspired by Tintern Abbey.
JMW Turner’s self-portrait, painted c. 1799 and currently on display in Tate Britain.
One of Turner’s most eminent paintings The Fighting Temeraire; a tribute to the ship HMS Temeraire which played a distinguished role in Nelson’s victory at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The painting is currently on display in the National Gallery and was voted the nation’s favourite painting in a 2005 poll run by BBC Radio 4.
A metallic hologram which changes between the word 'Twenty' and 'Pounds' when the note is tilted.
The Queen's portrait in the see-through window with '£20 Bank of England' printed twice around the edge.
A silver foil patch with a 3D image of the coronation crown.
A purple foil patch containing the letter 'T' and based on the staircase at the Tate Britain.
A quote "Light is therefore colour" from an 1818 lecture by Turner referring to the innovative use of light, shade, colour and tone in his pictures.
Turner's signature from his Will, the document with which he bequeathed many of his paintings to the nation.
A special website has been launched with even more details about this beautiful new banknote: www.thenew20.co.uk. The new banknote will enter circulation from 20 February 2020.
The Narodowi Bank Polski (National Bank of Poland) will issue a new commemorative banknote from 2 October 2019. The new note will have the peculiar denomination of 19-zlotych. The note commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Polish Security Printing Works.
"The front side of the banknote carries a portrait of Ignacy Jan Pa - derewski, and a stylized image of the Order of the White Eagle is presented next to the inscription "niepodległa" ("independent"). This inscription, reproduced from Józef Piłsudski’s manuscript, serves as the logo of the official celebrations of the 100th anniversary of Po - land regaining independence. A special kind of latent image developed by PWPW, known as Umbra4Note, is incorporated into the image of a laurel branch symbolizing brotherhood and victory.
The back side of the banknote carries the image of the PWPW building, presented against the backdrop of a panoramic view of contemporary Warsaw. Next to the image, there is the PWPW logo printed in the SPARK Live technology and an iridescent stripe, also visible under UV light, in the form of the number "19" and the abbreviation "NBP", repeated alternately."
A total of 55,000 notes will be issued.
Update 26-10-2019: the note has been issued at this moment.
Hello, I'm Steven Bron and welcome to my blog on banknotes! Here you can find: breaking news, background articles and of course my personal collection (world notes or at least one from each country, commemorative notes and polymer notes).
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