...Namibia - 2025 Series Full Set (Hybrid for $10 and $20)

Republic of Namibia

Bank of Namibia (Est.1990)

Currency : Dollar (NAD)

 

Here, I have posted a full for five notes all reportedly released on 30.09.2025. The themes for this series are the same as those previously issued but with modified designs and additional security features added to the notes. On the front, the notes depict two Namibia national heroes and on the back it features all four-legged wild animals.

The two lower denominations of $10 and $20 are printed on Hybrid substrate materials and both have a transparent square window in the center right. The transparent window is measured 10 x 10mm. The remaining three notes are all printed on paper materials.

 

All notes are printed with the year date of 2025 on the back. The signature on each note is printed on the front and the serial number is also printed on the back.

Ten Dollars (Hybrid)

Front - On the front, the note depicts the portrait of Samuel Shafiishuna Daniel Nujoma (b.1929-2025). Samuel Nujoma was a Namibian revolutionary, anti-apartheid activist and served three terms as the first president of Namibia from 1990 to 2005. Namibia was once known as South West Africa, and was occupied by the Germans from 1884 to 1915. The South African forces (British) defeated the Germans occupier in 1915 during the First World War and in 1920, the League of Nations (similar to today's United Nations) granted the territory to South African rule. Fighting for independence started in 1966 between People's Liberation Army of Namibia and South African Defence Force and the war was called the South African Border War and this war was closely intertwined with the Angola Civil War (1975-2002). The war ended when the Tripartite Accord was signed by Angola, Cuba and South Africa and Namibia gained independence on 21.03.1993. In Namibia, Samuel Nujoma is known as the Founding Father of the Namibia Nation. To the center left is the Parliament building located in Windhoek, the capital city of Namibia. 

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Springbok and electrotype 10

Sizes - 130mm x 70mm 

Back - Two Springbok (or Speingbuck) looking out for predators. The Springbok is an antelope and mainly found in south and southwest Africa (Namibia).

Twenty Dollars (Hybrid)

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Red hartebeest and electrotype 20

Sizes - 135mm x 70mm  

Back - Two Red hartebeest looking out for predators. The Red hartebeest is also known as Cape hartebeest or Caama. There are approximately 130,000 of these animals living in the wild. The Red hartebeest, is also an antelope, and can be found mainly in the southern part of Africa, like in countries of Angola (southern part), Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.

Fifty Dollars (Paper)

Front - The portrait of Captain Hendrik Witbooi (b.1830-1905) who was a chief of the Ikowesin people and he led revolts against the German occupation in present-day Namibia. He was killed in action in 1905, and in Namibia, he is one of the national heroes of Namibia. His image has appeared on Namibia banknotes since the first series issued in 1993.

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Kudo and electrotype 50

Sizes - 140mm x 70.5mm  

Back - Five kudus (males and females) in an open field. The kudu also belongs to the antelope species.

 

One Hundred Dollars (Paper)

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Oryx and electrotype 100

Sizes - 148mm x 70mm  

Back - Three oryx from southern Africa. The oryx species in southern Africa is called the gemsbok and they can be found in the arid regions of the Kalahari and Namib deserts. These are large antelopes which are well adapted to servive with very little water in the wild. The gemsbok can be found in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and part of Zimbabwe.

 

Two Hundred Dollars (Paper) 

Governor - Johannes !Gawaxab (tenure since 2020)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Roan antelope and electrotype 200 

Sizes - 152mm x 70mm  

Back - Three roan antelope standing in the open field. The Roan antelopes are savanna-dwelling antelope and can be found in central and southern Africa.  

...The Bahamas - $1 Series 2024 Reprint Hybrid

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Central Bank of The Bahamas (Est.1974)
Currency : Dollar (BSD)

 

This is a reprint of the $1 Hybrid note first introduced on 27.09.2017. This note was printed by Giesecke & Devrient and was part of the CRISP Evolution (CE) family of notes.

 

Posted here is a reprint and was introduced on 03.02.2025. This note is printed with the year date of Series 2024. The design for this note is that same as the initial series but with the following improvements: -

 

1) The colours are more vibrant to avoid the confusion with the current $10 series; and

2) It has a wider security thread on the back of the note; and

 

Like the previous issue, this note is also printed by Giesecke+Devrient on Hybrid Green Banknote substrate. It is claimed that this banknote is a more environmentally friendly version of its legacy Hybrid technology boasting more sustainable components that would last longer, with an overall lower carbon footprint.

 

One Dollar Hybrid

 

Front - The note is predominantly green, with shades of lilac, grey, burnt orange, and yellow. The map of The Bahamas islands is printed on the center left and the Lignum Vitae flower in the center. To the right is the portrait of Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling (b.1930-2000). Sir Lynden Pindling was the first black premier of the Colony of the Bahamas Islands from 1967 to 1969 and then as Prime Minister of the Bahamas from 1969 to 1992. In the Bahamas, he is considered as the 'Father of the Nation'.

 

Governor - John A Rolle (since January 2016)

Date - Series 2024

Watermark - Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling and numeral $1

Dimensions - 157mm x 68mm

 

Back - Drum Major in full regalia marching, leading the Royal Bahamas Police Force marching band with the trailing with band members adjacent. It is not sure if this Drum Major

 

 

...eSwatini - 10 and 20 Emalangeni 1.4.2024 Hybrid

Umbuso weSwatini

(Kingdom of eSwatini)

 

Central Bank of eSwatini (Est.1974)

Currency - Lilangeni (SZL)

 

Here are the two notes of 10 and 20 emalangeni both printed with the date of 1.4.2024. These are the first denominations of 10 and 20 emalangeni printed with the new name of the country, eSwatini since the name was adopted on 19.04.2018. Since the name changed, the central bank has printed/issued all denominations from 10 to 200 emalangeni. However, the 100 emalangeni has not been sighted, but is believed that this denomination has been printed. In addition, the bank has also issued a 50 emalangeni dated 1.4.2024 commemorative note celebrating the country's 50th Year Central Bank. 

Like all notes previously issued since 2018, these two notes are also printed on hybrid materials and are both printed by Giesecke+Devrient Germany.

 

Ten Emalangeni

Minister For Finance - Neal K. Rykenberg (tenure 2018-)

Governor - Dr Philemon F. Mnisi (tenure 2022-)

Date - 1.4.2024

Watermark - Portrait of King Mswati III

Dimensions - 144mm x 70mm

Front - Portrait of King Mswati III. King Mswati was crowned King of Swaziland on 25.04.1986 at the age of 18. The Kingdom of eSwatini is ruled by an absolute monarch/subnational monarchs and is one of the only 12 remaining nations in the world that is ruled by an absolute monarch. In the center is the country's Coat or Arms and below that are the signatures of the Minister of Finance and the Bank Governor.

Back - Image of nine princesses each holding a weapon in one hand and a ceremony shield in the other performing the kingship ceremony (Incwala) dance. The Incwala is a national event that takes part during the summer solstice. This is a six-day festival event celebrating the harvest season and the kingship. The ceremony is attended by the King of eSwatini. Who are all these princesses? The current king has 45 children from 16 wives, but not sure how many are girls.

Twenty Emalangeni

Minister For Finance - Neal K. Rykenberg (tenure 2018-)

Governor - Dr Philemon F. Mnisi (tenure 2022-)

Date - 1.4.2024

Watermark - Portrait of King Mswati III

Dimensions - 148.5mm x 70mm

Back - The theme on the back is related to agricultural products of the country. The images printed on the back are corn, pineapple, a zebu (cattle), and refinery industry. Presumably, this is related to sugar and ethanol production. The sugar production is a significant contributor to the country's economy, with two sugar mills operated by the Royal Eswatini Sugar Corporation. 

...Bhutan - 1 and 10 Ngultrum Series 2019 Hybrid Notes

འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ

Kingdom of Bhutan

 

Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Est.1982

Currency - Ngultrum (BTN)

 

Below are the two notes of 1 and 10 ngultrum both issued as part of the 2019 series. It is believed that these are the two notes released with the year date of 2019. I believe both notes are printed on hybrid materials, just like those first released in 2013 (Series 2013). Nothing has changed on the design except the year date and signature on the two notes.

 

One Ngultrum (Replacement Prefix Z)

 

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-)

Issue - Series 2019

Dimensions - 121mm x 60mm

 

Front - Image of Dharmachakra surrounded by two mythical dragons. A Dharmachakra is a circular symbol used mainly in the Dharmic religions of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. The Dharmachakra resembles a ship's helm wheel.This note that I have posted here has a Z replacement prefix.

 

Back - Simtokha Dzong (castle-monastery). This monastery was built in 1628 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. This is one of its kind built in Bhutan. This Dzong is located approximately 5 kilometers south of Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan.

 

Ten Ngultrum 

 

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-)

Issue - Series 2019

Watermark - Jigme Singye Wangchuk

Dimensions - 126mm x 65mm

 

Front - Portrait of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk (b.1955-). Jigme Singye Wangchuk was the King of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006 when he abdicated in favor of his son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Jigme Singye Wangchuk is married with four wives. His second and third wives are sisters. In Bhutan, the law allows for both polyandry and polygamy.

 

Back - The building of Paro Rinpung Dzong. This is a large dzong (Buddhist monastery) and was constructed in 1646. This dzong is located in the town of Paro. Paro is situated south-west of the capital Thimphu and is about 50 kilometers drive by car.

 

 

...Oman - 50 Rials Dated 2020 Hybrid Commemorative Banknote Reprint (Released 2024)

  سلطنة عُمان

(Sultanate of Oman)

البنك المركزي العماني

(Central Bank of Oman, Est 1974)

Currency : Rial (OMR)

 

This is a reprint of the 50 rials Hybrid note first issued in 2020. This note was initially issued as a commemorative note for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the rise of the Modern Omani Renaissance, and also in memory of its founder, the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said bin Taimur (b.1940-2020). Sultan Qaboos ruled Oman between 1970 to 2020. Please click here to view my previous post on this note. Like the first print, this is also a Hybrid note.

 

As this is a reprint of the 2020 issue, the design is still the same except for the signature of the current Sultan. The previous 50-rial was printed with the previous Sultan, Qaboos bin Said, who died on 10.01.2020.

 

This is the highest denomination of banknotes currently issued and circulating in Oman. In terms of buying power, the Omani rial is the third strongest currency in the world, after the Kuwaiti dinar and Bahraini dinar. Coincidentally, the top four currencies of the world all came from the Middle East. To me, this is a high value note to collect. If you like large size banknotes, then you should not miss this one!

 

Fifty Rials

 

Signature - Sultan Haitham bin Tarik

Date - 2020 (released 2024)

Watermark - HM Sultan Qaboos and  ٥٠ (50)

Dimensions - 174mm x 77mm 

Front - A portrait of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said (b.1940-2020). In the center is the main headquarters of the Central Bank of Oman, located in the capital city of Oman, Muscat. The central bank was established in late 1974 and commenced operations on 01.04.1975. The Central Bank of Oman replaced Oman Currency Board as the principal currency authority in Oman. The head of the central bank is Taimur bin Asa'ad.

 

Back - The Council of Oman (parliament/legislature), the Supreme Court (judiciary) and the Ministry of Finance (economy). These are the three main pillars of a nation.