In 1988, Australia celebrated its Bicentenary. It was 200 years since permanent settlement began with the arrival of Captain Arthur Philip with 11 ships in the First Fleet in 1788. To mark this important event, Australia issued a special 10 dollar note. It turned out to be very special indeed. It was the first note in the world using the revolutionary polymer plastic developed by the Reserve Bank of Australia. It moved like paper but had all the durability of plastic. (P49) The front of the note depicts the arrival of the First Fleet and the varied immigrant population which has settled in the intervening 200 years. The back honours Australia’s indigenous population, the Aboriginal people who it is believed settled in Australia over 40,000 years ago. A wonderful note issued over 30 years ago, in official descriptive folder.
Although these large 1000 kronen note bear the date 1902, they were actually issued in 1919 (P59 & P61) At the end of the First World War, the Austrian Hungarian Empire was broken up and Austria became an independent Republic. They are densely engraved in blue. The front features a young girl in a frame with garlands of flowers in her hair. while the back features a young girl to the left and right with a patterned design below (P61).
Although this large 1000 kronen note bears the date 1902, it was actually issued in 1919 (P59) At the end of the First World War, the Austrian Hungarian Empire was broken up and Austria became an independent Republic. They are densely engraved in blue. The front has a young girl in a frame with garlands of flowers in her hair. A crowned double headed eagle is at the centre. The back is the same with the addition of an overprint in red of Deutscheossterriech alongside. Available here in Crisp GEF/Unc.
These 500 roubles issued by Azerbaijan are dated 1920 (P7). They date from a very short period after World War 1 and the collapse of the Russian Empire when Azerbaijan enjoyed independence. These 500 roubles are unusual because the text is bilingual- in French and Persian. The design is quite simple, reminiscent of an intricate tapestry design. AUnc at £24.50.
These Uncirculated 5 dollars from the Bahamas are dated 2013 (P72A) The front has a portrait of national hero Sir Cecil Wallace Whitfield to the right with a map of the islands , a statue of Christopher Columbus and a gold foil outline of Columbus’ ship the Santa Maria to the centre. The back celebrates the famous Junkanoo Dancers who traditionally perform a street parade on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day . Crisp Uncirculated.
Crisp, Uncirculated Fifty Cents Notes from the Bahamas (P-New) These haven’t long been issued and are quite stylish. They are printed on a strengthened substrate. A mature portrait of Queen Elizabeth appears on the front alongside a map of the island and a flower. The back printed in vertical format features a portrait of Sister Sarah in the market with additional vignettes of basket ware. Uncirculated.
We were recently able to restock this privately issued Bahamas Jubilee Wallet prepared to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.1952-2022 The illustrated descriptive folder contains an Uncirculated Half Dollar from the Bahamas set in an appropriately purple holder. It’s a wonderful souvenir of our longest reigning monarch.