I began publishing The Banknote Update in late 2007 as an independent addendum to Krause’s Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. Since that time, it has been constantly revised, updated, and expanded into a book containing detailed information and hundreds of full-color images of brand new notes and new note varieties from over 140 countries, which are either not included nor illustrated in the latest SCWPM, Volume III, 15th edition (download a sample spread from the update). I guarantee it is the most comprehensive, authoritative, and reliable source of information about new notes you can buy anywhere, at any price.

The cost of The Banknote Update as a PDF file purchased directly from me via PayPal is US$15. The Banknote Update is also available in printed form via Lulu.com, an online company that creates professional-quality books on demand. If you are interested in The Banknote Update but don't want to print your own copy from a PDF, this printed version is ideal for you, and the print quality of this full-color perfect-bound paperback is far better than anything you could achieve on your own. Plus Lulu accepts secure credit card payments, so it serves countries not yet available through PayPal.

Don't delay, order your copy today! You will receive the very latest edition, updated to include all information available as of 1 March 2010. Anyone buying the PDF version of The Banknote Update directly from me is entitled to receive the final revision which will be issued shortly after Krause releases the 16th edition of the SCWPM.

Buyers of the printed version on Lulu can obtain a free companion PDF version (a $15 value) by forwarding me their Lulu invoice. Having the PDF version allows you to search for keywords of interest and magnify images and text for easier reading.

On 27 February 2010 the citizens of Chile suffered a magnitude 8.8 earthquake. Millions of people have been displaced by the quake and the death toll is currently over 800. As a resident of quake-prone San Francisco since 1988, I feel I must do my part to help fellow earthquake survivors during their time of need. That’s why I will donate 100% of all revenues I receive from sales of The Banknote Update during the month of March to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.

If you’ve been thinking about making a donation or buying a copy of The Banknote Update, now’s the time, since you’ll be helping others and helping yourself. Thank you in advance for your consideration and compassion.

And thanks to everyone who has already taken me up on this offer, as well as my previous offer to help the Haitian earthquake victims last month. It will be my pleasure to make the donation at the end of March.

Owen W. Linzmayer
Banknotenews.com Publisher
San Francisco, California

Tags: Chile

As regular visitors to this site are no doubt aware, I am working on a new catalog of world notes. This is a huge task, but I am slowly chipping away at it with the help of many contributors around the globe. I do not yet know when the entire catalog will be complete, but I am pleased to announce that I am making available a set of ten sample chapters to provide a sneak peek at The Banknote Book. These chapters cover every note ever issued by:

• Biafra
• Cook Islands
• Eritrea
• French Pacific Territories
• Gabon
• Malaya & British Borneo
• Qatar & Dubai
• Somaliland
• Tajikistan
• Yemen Democratic Republic

The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. Plus the PDFs include functional checkboxes so you can easily keep track of the notes you have in your collection!

Click here to obtain your free copy of this 47-page document in Adobe PDF format. All I ask in return is that you spread the word to other collectors and share your suggestions, comments, and corrections with me.

Tags: Biafra, Eritrea, Qatar & Dubai, Somaliland

According to an article dated 18 February 2010, the Banknotes Museum of Greece on the Ionian island of Corfu is housed on the first floor of the preserved building that was the first branch of the Ionian Bank (now Alpha Bank). The museum “showcases a near-complete collection of Greek banknotes, from the very first ones circulated in 1822 to the last ones withdrawn in 2002 with the advent of the euro, sketches, essays and printing plates for various Greek banknotes, archive material (documents, accounting books, checks, photographs relating to the history of the Ionian Bank), and a complete series of the last issues of the national banknotes by the euro-zone member states before their replacement by the single currency, the euro, as well as a reproduction of the modern manufacturing process of banknotes. The collection numbers more than 2,000 items.”

If anyone visits (Iroon Kypriakou Agona Square, 49100 Corfu, Tel.: 26610 41552), please post your comments below.

Tags: Greece

As you are no doubt aware, the citizens of Haiti suffered a catastrophic earthquake on 12 January 2010. Hundreds of thousands of people were killed in the quake, and the survivors are still in great need and pain in this very poor country. As a resident of quake-prone San Francisco since 1988, I feel I must do my part to help Haitians during their time of need. That’s why I will donate 100% of all revenues I receive from sales of The Banknote Update during the month of February to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development.

If you’ve been thinking about making a donation or buying a copy of The Banknote Update, now’s the time, since you’ll be helping others and helping yourself. Also, if you’ve previously made a donation to any other charity helping Haiti, simply forward confirmation of your donation of $15 or more and I will send you a free PDF copy of The Banknote Update. Thank you in advance for your consideration and compassion.

Owen W. Linzmayer
Banknotenews.com Publisher
San Francisco, California

Tags: Haiti

I’m pleased to report that the average number of page views on Banknotenews.com has more than doubled in the past year to 1,600 per day. It’s personally gratifying to realize so many collectors and dealers rely upon this site to keep up with all the breaking news about our great hobby. More visitors translates into more contributors, which means I’m able to provide even more information and images of new notes on a timely basis, thereby making this site even more useful to everyone.

To keep this virtuous cycle going, I humbly ask you to help spread the word about Banknotenews.com among your other friends who collect or sell banknotes. As I do not charge for access to this site, I have no budget for promoting it, so your word-of-mouth recommendation is the best advertising possible. So please, take a moment right now to send a brief email to a fellow collector suggesting that they visit to see all that this site has to offer. Thank you in advance for doing so, and thanks to everyone whose financial donations and contributions of images and information help make Banknotenews.com possible.--OWL

Krause’s 15th edition of the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern Issues has been publsihed. The new 1,112-page book includes a CD with the contents in PDF format. The catalog is available immediately from Amazon.com.

Amazon sells the 15th edition of the Modern Issues catalog for $34.65.

Amazon also sells the 12th edition of the General Issues catalog for $50.40,

Amazon also sells the 2005 10th edition of the Specialized Issues catalog for $40.95.

All of the above items qualify for free Super Saver Shipping in the United States.

On December 2008, the Central Bank of Seychelles published a special second edition of its publication that traces the history of paper currencies in the Seychelles, dating from the period of French colonization to the present.

Entitled “History of Paper Currency in the Seychelles,” the new 55-page booklet, in full colour, should prove useful not only to banknote collectors but also for educational purposes, as it includes a section which describes the flora & fauna appearing on the most recent paper currencies of the islands.

Divided into sections pertaining to marked periods and events in the life of the Seychelles currency, the booklet provides colourful illustrations of the different forms of paper currency used over the years.

Information for the booklet was compiled by a small group from the Central Bank with the help of the National Archives and several individuals who are experts in their fields. They include Adrian Skerrett (conservationist), Dr. Jeanne Mortimer (biologist and conservationist), Julien Durup (archivist and historian), Kantilal Jivan Shah (historian, naturalist, conservationist, artist, photographer, healer, numismatist and philatelist) and Stella Doway (Senior Museum Curator).

In a foreword to the publication, CBS Governor Francis Chang Leng says: “It is a rewarding feat for readers to explore the different varieties, sizes and designs of the various denominations of the Seychelles rupee notes, which have been issued over the years, not forgetting the individuals who were in authority in the country at the time the notes were printed and issued. Not only is this booklet very informative, but it can also be used as a guide for currency enthusiasts.”

The Central Bank of Seychelles sells copies of this book from its web site, but isn’t very responsive to email inquiries, and only accepts wire transfers which are costly and time-consuming. After jumping through a lot of hoops, I was finally able to obtain a few copies of this amazing book, but these have now been spoken for. Good luck to anyone attempting to purchase directly from the CBS. By the way, the CBS web site still shows the first edition of this book, but I believe that has sold out and that only the second edition is currently available.

Tags: Seychelles

Thomas Krause and Peter Bauer have today released the fifth edition of their book, the Specialized Catalogue of World Plastic Money. Ordering information and a free PDF download can be obtained by visiting www.swschwedt.de/kunden/polymernotes.



© 2008: Neither information nor images from this site may be reproduced without permission from owen [AT] banknotenews [DOT] com.

Tags: Polymer

Krause’s 12th edition of the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, General Issues • 1368-1960 is now shipping, and it includes a bonus DVD with the entire catalog in PDF format.

Amazon sells the brand new 12th edition of the General Issues catalog for $50.40, which means it qualifies for free Super Saver Shipping in the United States. Quite a bit better than Krause's $80 list price, plus $4 S&H.

Amazon also sells the new 14th edition of the Modern Issues catalog for $34.65.

Amazon also sells the 2005 10th edition of the Specialized Issues catalog for $45.50.

Krause’s 14th edition of the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money, Modern Issues is now shipping, and it includes a bonus DVD with the entire catalog in PDF format. The catalog has many of the same flaws as previous editions (errors, missing notes, odd valuations, etc.), but the PDF on disc is useful for searching for notes of interest.

Amazon sells the catalog for $34.65, which means it qualifies for free Super Saver Shipping in the United States. Quite a bit better than Krause's $55 list price, plus $4 S&H.

© 2008: Neither information nor images from this site may be reproduced without permission from owen [AT] banknotenews [DOT] com.

The Banknote Update

An Independent Addendum to Krause’s
Standard Catalog of World Paper Money (Vol. III, 13th Ed.)

In November 2007, I began publishing The Banknote Update as an 87-page PDF (12MB) document containing detailed information and more than 660 full-color images of 185 brand new notes and 265 new note varieties from over 120 countries (download a sample spread from the update). The cost of The Banknote Update as a PDF file purchased directly from me via PayPal is US$15.

In response to requests by many collectors, I am happy to announce that The Banknote Update is now available in printed form via Lulu.com, an online company that creates professional-quality books on demand. If you are interested in The Banknote Update but don't want to spend the time, trouble, and ink to print your own copy from a PDF, this new printed version is ideal for you, and the print quality of this perfect-bound paperback is far better than anything you could achieve on your own. Plus Lulu accepts secure credit card payments, so it serves countries not yet available through PayPal.

Don't delay, order your copy today!

Owen W. Linzmayer
2227 15th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94116-1824
United States

© 2008: Neither information nor images from this site may be reproduced without permission from owen [AT] banknotenews [DOT] com.

Thomas Krause of Polymat has brought to my attention  potentially deceptive eBay auctions. If you search eBay for “polymer missing” you will find a seller listing various polymer banknotes, all with missing faces or backs.

The notes are listed at prices that would be ridiculously low for genuine errors, but you will see why once you examine the actual listings. The listing explains that the notes have “been altered to look like a MISPRINTED polymer banknote.”

Thomas Krause theorizes that the seller or his supplier is using an industrial solvent to remove the printing on one side of each note. This seller is at least honest enough to admit that the notes have been altered, and he does offer a money back guarantee, but some buyers may pass off these alterations as real printing errors, so please take care when buying any so-called error notes.

© 2007 - Neither information nor images from this site may be reproduced without permission.

Tags: eBay, Polymer

On May 8, 2007, the International Association of Currency Affairs honored seven individuals and companies at the first ever Excellence in Currency Awards ceremony that took place in Bangkok, Thailand.

•Lifetime Achievement Award: Thomas Ferguson, former director of the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

•Best New Bank Note Award: The National Bank of Kazakhstan, for its complex and highly secure new series launched in November 2006. Runners up were the Central Bank of Sweden, for the new 1,000 kronor launched in March 2006, and the Bank of Mexico, for the new polymer 50-peso banknote issued in November 2006.

•Best New Coin Award: The Royal Canadian Mint, for the Canadian quarter (25 cents) with an image of a pink ribbon in its centre, a collaboration with the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

•Best New Currency Feature: Crane’s Motion, an optically variable feature incorporating a micro-lens array for security threads that first appeared on the Swedish 1,000-kronor banknote and has recently been chosen as the primary overt feature for the new US$100.

•Best New Currency Product: KBA GIORI, for ONE, a complete suite of products from banknote digital design through to direct intaglio and offset plate making.

•Best Currency Public Education Program: The US BEP, for its “Color of Money” introduction of the new $10.

•Best Currency Website: The Bank of England, for its newly-designed website, www.bankofengland.co.uk.

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) is proud to announce the winner of the 2007 IBNS Bank Note of the Year, awarded to the finest banknote issued in 2006. This year’s award goes to the 1,000-franc note issued by the Banque Centrale des Comores, the central bank of the Comoros, an archipelago located between Madagascar and the east coast of southern Africa. Commendations go to the 10,000-tenge note from Kazakhstan and 100-dollar note from the Solomon Islands.

The IBNS Bank Note of the Year is awarded to the banknote which, in the eyes of the judges, has a high level of artistic merit, an imaginative design, and features that present the best of modern security printing (taking into account the value of the note). The Comoran 1,000-franc note impressed the judges with innovative design, well-balanced color, and sensible use of modern security features.

The front of the 1,000-franc note is dominated by a coelacanth, a pre-historic fish long thought to be extinct, that was found living in the waters off the Comoros in recent years. Its discovery put the Comoros at the centre of the scientific world for a short time and remains one of the small country’s claims to fame. Below the piscine curiosity is an aerial view of several islands that make up the country. Predominantly blue, there are red and green elements to the design on the front of the note.

Poetry is common to the entire series of notes to which the 1,000 franc belongs, with a verse appearing on the front and the back of each note. The verse on the front of the 1,000-franc note can be translated from French as:

From our feelings, what you expect I understood
For it is a love that is so absolutely exclusive
That, not to lose you, I hereby consent.
Truthfully, it will be a love
That our times have never seen.

Continued on the back of the note is a further verse which translates as:

I claim these different names which are ours
and if I speak the rainbow
It is to better greet our Indian Ocean sea-mother
whose waves of pleasures brings
to insularity abundance and joy

The final line below the verse identifies the author, Mab Elhad, and the book in which his verse appears: Kaulu la Mwando (meaning First Word in the Comoran language). The book was published in 2004 and the verses of the author, a Comoran policeman, celebrate his Comoran life and nationality.

The back of the award-winning note is dominated by a Comoran man in a canoe, surrounded by red and blue designs of differing character. While the name of the issuing authority is in Arabic on the back of the note, the warning to counterfeiters is in French (reflecting the nation’s French past).

Despite a low face value (approximately US$2.70 at current exchange rates), the 1,000-franc note sports an impressive array of security features. Portions of the design are printed with the intaglio process, imparting a tactile element to the raised ink, along with the latent image created by the BCC embossed above the signatures. Counterfeiting is made more difficult through the use of microtext, incorporation of a perfect-registration device, and the inclusion of Omron rings. The paper contains an embedded security strip that fluoresces under UV light, and a watermark of a crescent moon, four stars, and the letters BCC. Finally there is an iridescent band on the front of the note that can be seen only when tilting the note at an angle to the light.

While the elements of the design, the security features, and the production of the note are not unusual as individual elements, it is the sum of the whole that lifts the note above the ordinary and which made this note a clear winner as the IBNS Bank Note of the Year.

Every nation should strive to create individual masterpieces for their paper money; unfortunately this is not always the case. However, with the issue of the new series by the Comoros, it is pleasing to see that at least one issuing authority is successful in meeting the expectations of banknote enthusiasts around the world. The IBNS congratulates the Banque Centrale des Comores and the designers of its 1,000-franc note.

Tags: Comoros

Lee Gordon (IBNS member LM100) reports a Lebanese 50-livres note dated 1950 (Pick 52) has gone missing in the mails. The note was sent from Switzerland to the United States by TNT in a registered package posted November 17 by Hans Kajblad  (IBNS member 4277). The package was never delivered and it’s feared that the note may have been stolen.

Anyone with information about the location of this note (number 3026627, series B.122 - 627) is asked to contact Lee Gorden ASAP.

Tags: Lebanon