The following is a letter that I recently wrote to the editor of the International Bank Note Society’s Journal. I do not know if it will be published in an upcoming issue, but I thought visitors to this site might find it interesting nonetheless.—OWL Dear Editor, I enjoyed reading MarcRead More…

According to a press release dated 9 February 2012, the Swiss National Bank has delayed the introduction of its new banknote series “for at least one year.” The new series was expected to be issued “towards the end of 2012,” but “unexpected technical problems were encountered.” The 50-franc note wasRead More…

B231 (P36): 10 emalangeni (US$0.70) Blue. Front: English and Swazi text; King Mswati III; coat of arms with lion and elephant flanking shield topped with crown of feathers (lidlabe); shield (isihlangu), spears (sikhali), and staff (umgobo). Back: English text; nine princesses taking part in the Ncwala (kingship ceremony); bank seal.Read More…

According to a press release dated 30 June 2011, the Central Bank of Swaziland announced the release into circulation the remaining denominations (10, 20, 50, and 200 emalangeni) of its new series of banknotes. This comes after the official introduction of the 100-lilangeni note on 1 November 2010, and theRead More…

B234 (P39): 100 emalangeni (US$6.75) Brown. Front: English and Swazi text; King Mswati III; coat of arms with lion and elephant flanking shield topped with crown of feathers (lidlabe); green-to-blue OVI shield (isihlangu), spears (sikhali), and staff (umgobo). Back: English text; elephant, rhinoceros, lion, flowers, and bird; bank seal. Green-to-pinkRead More…

According to Times of Swaziland article dated 7 April 2010, by August the Central Bank of Swaziland (CBS) was to begin upgrading it entire series of banknotes—starting with the 100-lilangeni note (US$13.80), then continuing with the other denominations—10, 20, 50, and 200 emalangeni—one every six months. The new notes willRead More…

These 100- and 200-lilangeni notes were issued to commemorate the 40th birthday of King Mswati III (born 19.04.1968). They are the first notes in the world to use intaglio halftone technology, creating photo-like portraits. B229 (P34): 100 emalangeni (US$6.75) Brown. Front: English and Swazi text; shield and spears as registrationRead More…