Salt Spring Island, Canada has released a new $$2 Dollar local currency banknote using a beautiful obverse design based on "The Sleeper" by Canadian artist and sculpture, Kathy Vinter.

This is the first new release since issuing their beautiful series of seven local currency issues in 2001-02. While local currencies have been around a long time the Salt Spring Island issue is unique in that it is 100% backed by the Canadian Dollar as well as being 20% backed by Canada Maple Leaf Gold coins.

The 2002  $$100 Dollar issue features the late Kimiko Okano Murakami, a Japanese Canadian who was sent to an internment camp during WWII. Her family's land, property and possessions were confiscated by the Canadian government and sold. But she returned to Salt Spring in 1954 to farm again, and to be an active member of the community.                                                   23  December  2008

Dmitri Kharitonov has just published a new list of Chinese banknotes. We have a few images along with his extensive Chinese and World banknote offerings in our list section.

This section now also includes an example of one of the premier Classic Price Lists from 1981 issued by the late Ted Uhl.

In the future we hope to add another classic list from William L.S. Barrett of Montreal, which not only includes classic banknotes but unique cover art by Madam Barrett.                                                                                                                                       16  December  2008

Eva Perón is featured on the 2001 bonos of Argentina from Rioja Province. Bonos are bond-like banknotes that have a specific life predetermined at issue and act like local currency in that they usually circulate in the specific area where they were issued.

We have catalogued 21 different national, provincial and municipal issuers in Argentina starting in 1985 and continuing until the present. Most of these notes have a specific issue date referenced to the authorizing legislation and an expiration date. Some actually pay interest! The bonos of Argentina were begun during a financial crisis but apparently have proved so popular that they continue to be issued long after the primary crises ended.

In addition to the plethora of bonos we have displayed, we also have a series of minichecks issued by various private banks in Argentina during the administration of Juan Domingo Perón Sosa, husband of Eva. These are different than bonos as they are true local currency issues. Almost all of the bonos and minichecks have been submitted by Dutch numismatist, WIlliam N. Keijzers who we gratefully acknowledge for his outstanding help.                                                                                        4 December  2008

Andorra is a country whose currency history consists of only 10 banknotes issued in 1936. It currently uses the Euro as its currency. So it is not expected that there would be any great discoveries that could be found. Well, how about a minor discovery...a previously unknown variety or series with a clear or light underprint?

The Andorra note at top right is the currently known 2 Pessetes with red underprint (N.5, P.2) and below is the discovery 2 Pessetes note [N.7, P.UNL(~2)].  It appears to me to be a variety with a white or light coloured underprint, not previously reported.

A similar 5 Pessetes [N.11, P.UNL(~3)] has also been found with a light underprint which tends to confirm that there might have been another series issued with a light underprint.

Andorra banknotes come on the market periodically and are fairly scarce. Six notes are currently listed on eBay at between $499 and $2,599 USD. The 10 Pessetes (N.33, P.9) from the second series appears to be the most difficult to find as I have never seen one come on the market. 

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone with an opinion on whether the above notes constitute a new type or just a printing variation.                                                                                                                                                                                                            10 November  2008

Jordan's Queen Rania is very popular in Jordan not only because of her great beauty but for the excellent work she is doing in the country. The Jordan  section has a total of 27 images, included is a wonderful autographed image of Queen Rania sent in by Dr. Márián Zoltán of Hungary.
Dr.Zoltán has collected autographed pictures of world leaders and personalities for many years and is currently looking for the whereabouts of the former Sultan of Zanzibar, Jamshid bin Abdullah. Readers with knowledge of the Sultan are encouraged to write us and we will pass the information on.

Our sincere thanks go to specialist Mahdi Bseiso for his help with this section.   

Norway section has more than 195 notes displayed. Collectors who can provide images of 17th and 19th century as well as World War II Emergency issues are encouraged to send them in so we can enhance this nice reference section.

Pictured is Kirsten Flagstad who has been called the "world’s most dramatic soprano." She is featured on Norway's 100 Kroner banknotes starting in 1995 through the current 2003 issues. Norges Bank began first picturing their revered personalities in 1877 with King Oscar II. In 1977 the first woman to appear on a Norway banknote was writer Camilla Collett, who has been referred to as Norway's first feminist. Novelist and Nobel laureate Sigrid Undset is pictured on the 500 Kroner notes starting in 1999.

Our sincere thanks go to the late Walter Jellum  for his help with this section.

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 * Some issues are from colonies, pan-governments, micro-states, micronations or non-government entities.