Africa

This 2000 dinars note issued by Algeria in 2020 celebrated those who fought for the independence of Algeria from France. A lineup of important participants in the struggle are featured on the front with a view of the Martyrs Monument. A water conduit and a Royal Mausoleum is on the back. The date coincides with Independence Day which is 5th July. Uncirculated.

Angola 1000 escudos 1972 P103 Mauve and pink, Marischal Carmona at r/ Duque de Braganca Waterfalls VF

When these 20 escudos notes were issued in 1973, Angola was still under Portuguese Rule although this was not to last much longer (P104a). Angola was swept up by the Carnation Revolution taking place in Portugal in 1974. It achieved full independence along with other Portuguese colonies in 1975. These 20 escudos are much scarcer than other values in the same series. The front bears the portrait of probably the most famous of Portuguese poets Luis de Camoes (1524-1580) He is shown wearing armour and a crown of laurels and holding a quill and book. The Upland cotton plant appears on the back. From an original bundle put away 50 years ago when they were issued, we can offer Choice Uncirculated Angola 1973 20 escudos.

In 2020, Angola decided to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of its independence from Portugal by issuing a new series of notes, with most being printed on polymer. We offer Uncirculated examples of the polymer 200. It features a portrait of Dr Antonio Agostinho Neto who was the country’s first President after independence. The backs feature natural wonders of the nation with a view of the Black Rocks at Pungo Andongo in Malanje on the 200 Kwanzas.

In 2020, Angola decided to commemorate the 45th Anniversary of its independence from Portugal by issuing a new series of notes, with most being printed on polymer. Here we offer Uncirculated examples of the polymer 500 kwanzas. It features a portrait of Dr Antonio Agostinho Neto who was the country’s first President after independence. The back feature a view of The Tendavola Gap in Huila Province.

In the 1990’s Angola suffered from inflation and this was reflected in the size of the banknote denominations. This 500,000 kwanzas note is dated 1991 (P134) The front features a conjoined portrait of Eduardo dos Santos and Agostinho Neto, both prominent leaders in the fight for independence against Portugal .A family group of rhinoceros feature on the back. Crisp Uncirculated.

The island nation of Aruba excelled itself in 2019 with a stunning set of banknotes. This 10 dollars, the lowest denomination in the series, is printed in vertical format (P-New) A Green Sea Turtle and Spotted Trunkfish are depicted on the front and a ruined Gold Mill is on the back. There is a striking motion surface windowed thread to complete this little marvel. Uncirculated.

Burundi 100 francs 2001 P37 Mauve President at r/ House building Unc

This wonderful colourful set comprises the complete denomination range for Burundi, a landlocked country which is also one of the smallest on the African continent. Our set, dated between 2018 and 2021, comprises 5 denominations ranging from the 500 francs up to the magnificent 10,000 francs (P51-54). The fronts all feature an outline map of the country with different vignettes inside the map of shipping, a banana grove, rice harvest, hills, and fronds. Illustrations on the backs include a coffee plant, long-horned cattle, a pineapple plant, drummers and dancers, and portraits of President Ndadaye and Prince Rwagasore alongside a crocodile, bird, antelope, wildebeest, and hippo. A wonderful colourful set from Burundi Uncirculated.

Cambodia 1000 riels 1999 P51 Brown on white Ankor Wat//Road building Unc

Cape Verde 200 escudos P71 Printed on polymer plastic Facing portrait Teixeira de Souza/ View of volcano Unc

These colourful 5000 francs were issued for Chad at the turn of the century in 1999. (P604e) Chad is part of the Central African States' Monetary Union. Notes are common in design for the participant countries, but a code letter on the front designates which country they were printed for. In the case of Chad, the Code letter is P. The front of these 5000 francs features a man in a hard hat while other illustrations refer to the drilling industry and the transportation of oil. The back has a wonderful rendition of the cotton harvest and market. Crisp, uncirculated and now long disappeared from circulation; £35.00 each.

Djibouti 1000 francs nd P42a Pink and yellow. Ali Ahmed Oudoum at r and men loading sand at centre/Ship and aerial view of port. Unc

A lovely issue from Djibouti, a tiny country which is strategically located near the Red Sea, serving as a key refueling centre and entrepot. In 1977, Djibouti became independent from France. The design of this charming 2000 francs was originally issued in 1997 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Independence. The French influence can still be seen because this note was printed by the Banque de France. The issue we offer now has the Banque Centrale heading issued in 2008 (P43). The front features rocky outcrops in the distance with a camel caravan and a young girl in the foreground. The back shows a statue of a man with a shield and a view of the Presidential Palace. Crisp Uncirculated 2000 francs from one of the smallest countries in the world!

Egypt has always drawn on its rich history to illustrate its banknotes and this £10 note dated 1978 is no exception. (P46) The front features the Sultan Hassan Mosque in Cairo while the back shows the sun over three pyramids at Giza. A seated statue of King Chephren with god Horus as a hawk is to the right. Below we find hieroglyphics of months divided into seasons Uncirculated.

Egypt has printed two of its banknote values on polymer- the 10 and 20 Pounds.(P-New) We can offer both values in Uncirculated. As you might expect the design reflects Egypt’s rich Ancient History. The fronts feature views of the Al-Azhar and Alabaster Mosques in Cairo while the backs depict the Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx and a detail from an ancient frieze.

These 200-pound notes from Egypt are impressive. (P77) The front features the Qani Bay Mosque with a minaret in Cairo. The back depicts the statue of the Seated Scribe with hieroglyphics alongside which translates as Egypt is Peace. Crisp Uncirculated and Limited availability.

Equatorial Guinea is part of the Central African States Monetary Union which has issued a common currency design for its members. In 1985, when these 500 franc notes were issued, the name of the country appeared at the top on the front. This practice was discontinued in the 1990s when a country code was added to the face of the notes and the country name removed. These 500 francs from Equatorial Guinea are dated 1985 and have an illustration of a carved figure and decorated pot on the front (P20) On the back we find a wood carver and ornate traditional masks. Uncirculated at £10.50.

Eritrea 1 nakfa 1997 P1 Brown and pale blue Three young children at centre/ Schoolchildren Unc

In April 2018, as the country was celebrating 50 years of independence, King Mswati III, absolute monarch of Swaziland, announced that the name of the country was to be changed to Eswatini, or Land of the Swazis. (It is said he was motivated to make the change because he was tired of his country being confused with Switzerland). It wasn’t until 2021 that banknotes from this landlocked African nation were issued with the country’s new title. We are delighted to offer Uncirculated examples of the 50 emalangeni notes from the Central Bank of Eswatini. They are dated 2018 (P-New). The portrait of King Mswati in traditional dress is on the front and a view of the Central Bank of Eswatini in Mbabane is on the back. Uncirculated.

This bright green Ethiopia 10 birr note is dated 2020 (P-New) The illustrations on the front are of the head of a lion, a camel and a man harvesting coffee. The back shows four citizens with hands on top of each other. Uncirculated.

Crisp Uncirculated examples of the 50 dalasis issued by Gambia in 2006 (P28) The front features a Gambian woman to the right while at the centre we find a Hoopoe Bird in flight and perched on a branch (P28) The back is dominated by a view of the 8th century Senegambian Stone Circles found in Wassu. Uncirculated.

These 10 cedi notes are dated 1978 and feature a man smoking a pipe on the front (P16) The back has a view of the Akosombo Dam in Lake Volta. Crisp Uncirculated.

Guinea 500 sylis 1980 P27 Brown on cream/ Tito at l/ Building GVF/EF