February Postings 2016

2nd February 2016
European Union - These are the latest 20 Euro printed and issued in late 2015 (25.11.2015). This is also the first Euro denomination printed on Hybrid material with a polymer strip approximately 15mm wide added to the right hand side of the note. The strip also provides a transparent arch window showing a woman's head (portrait of Europa) and the denomination value of 20 (Euro). The transparent window is quite hard to see on the front but is very obvious on the back, as you can see from the scans. As this is a new series, the themes are still the same as previous issues ie flag of EU, Arches, windows and bridges on the back with the map of Europe and it's overseas territories in South America and the Indian Ocean. Unlike many other national currencies, the design of the Euro is quite unique as there are very limited texts/alphabets printed on the notes. The only names/words printed are the European Central Bank name in alphabets (initials) of nine difference languages starting from the top; Polish (EBC), Maltese (BCE), Hungarian (EKB), Greek (EKT), Finnish (EKP), German (EZB), Bulgaria (EUb), English (ECB) and Spanish (BCE). The only full word printed is the currency name "Ëuro" in three difference languages ie English, Greek and Bulgarian. I believe the currency name was only first officially adopted in the mid 90s before even the first physical Euro (both coins and banknotes) were even issued. There are no other inscriptions imprinted on the notes except the imprinter codes and serial numbers. One criticism that I have on the design is the map of Europe. If they have left out the map of Turkey with a lighter colour, then they should also do the same on countries like Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, few countries in the Balkan States, part of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, which are not members of the EU community. In all, there are ten prints so far sighted. As you will see, I am still missing one print. Each note is printed with two-letter prefix and followed by 10-digit serial number. Each note is also printed with a printer code which comprises of 6 letters/digits ie A001B2. The first letter (A) representing the printer. The next 3 digits (001) refer to the printing plate no and the next letter (B) and digit (2) are referring to the roll and column respectively of the plate. It is not sure if others printers/prefixes are also printed by Ireland or Greece etc. The signature on the note belongs to the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Mario Draghi, an Italian Economist and formal Governor of Banca d'Italia. As the Euro currency is still relatively strong, collecting a full set can be financially challenging but not impossible as they are plenty around on offer. All you have to do is to pick one with the right price. If you can find one seller with all the ten notes on offer, you would save heaps on the delivery charges.
Tags: European Union; Hybrid;

6th February 2016
Scotland - Bank of Scotland £100 note. This is the latest known Bank Of Scotland note issued with the year date of 2014 (excluding the 2015 £5 Polymer BBC Children in Need limited Commemorative note). This is also the third reprint for this denomination since the Bridge series was first introduced in 2007 (2009 and 2011). It is believed that only 500,000 pieces printed, just like those previously issued. Since the introduction of this Bridge series, only two full sets of 5 notes have been released, first in 2007 and then in 2009. This 2014 £100 note bears the signatures of Antonio Mota de Sousa Horta-Osorio (Governor) and Philip Grant (Treasurer). Bank of Scotland is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Lloyds Banking Group. Antonio Horta-Osorio is also the Chief Executive of the Lloyds Banking Group since 2011.
Tag: Bank of Scotland;

8th February 2016
Iran - This 50,000 Rials note was issued on 1.11.2015 commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the founding of University of Tehran (UT). The University was established in 1934 and it is also commonly known as the Mother University of Iran. The main University is located in the central part of Tehran but also have campuses located across the capital city. The main design on the back depicts the main entrance gate to the University with the following texts printed in both English and Persian - "Capable is the one who is wise. Knowledge makes the old heart young". On the front it has the portrait of the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini (1902-1989).
Tags: Iran; Commemorative;

12th February 2016
Burundi - This is a full set of new series banknotes that was issued in 2015. All notes are dated 15.01.2015. Whilst this was all issued in 2015, not all notes were released on the same day. The signatures on all notes are not the same either. The two lower denominations of 500 and 1000 Francs were co signed by the 2nd Vice Governor of the Central Bank whilst the rest of the 3 notes have the signature of the 1st Vice Governor. Was this deliberate or the 1st Vice Governor post was vacant when the order for the first two notes were placed? The design of these notes have few common features such as the country State emblem, flag, see-through registration device (fish) and on the back, all notes printed with the outline map of Burundi and square/rectangle/circle patterns.
tag; Burundi;

14th February 2016
Trinidad and Tobago - This is new 2015 series of a new $50 polymer note, reportedly issued in November 2015. At a quick glance, this note looks more like a reprint of the 2014 Central Bank Commemorative but without the commemorative text. There are some obvious differences between this note and the one issued in 2014. These changes are - Series 2015 is added to the note, the font on the serial numbers are not the same, and the changes to the design and colour for the flying Red Capped Cardinal bird on the right side of the note. In addition to this, it also added the embossed tactile feature (heavily indented 12 round dots arranged in a circle) under the Red Capped Cardinal bird, which are very noticeable. These dots are to assist with those with virtually impaired to identify the value of the currency.
Tags: Trinidad and Tobago; Polymer;

21st February 2016
Transnistria (Pridnestrovskaia Moldavskaia Respublika ) - A set of 4 notes with commemorative overprints on each notes issued to celebrate the Transnistrian Moldovian Republic 25th Anniversary of Independence 1990-2015. The denominations issued are the 1, 5, 10 and 25 Rubles. The designs are the same as previous notes, first issued in 2007 and later modified in 2012. As usual, all notes are printed with the independence logo on the right hand side where the watermark is located. A total of 2,525 sets issued. Not sure why the unusual quantity, but I supposed it's meant to read 25-25. All notes were released and sold at a premium. Independence day is celebrated on 2nd of September each year and these notes were released on 27.8.2015.
Tags: Transnistria; Commemorative;