Biafran pound
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Biafran pound | |
User(s) | Biafra |
---|---|
Subunit | |
1/20 | shilling |
1/240 | penny |
Symbol | £ |
shilling | s |
penny | d |
Plural | |
penny | pence |
Coins | 3d, 6d, 1/-, 2/6 |
Banknotes | 5/-, 10/-, £1, £5, £10 |
Central bank | Bank of Biafra |
The Biafran pound was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1967 and 1970.
The 1967 series of banknotes had no value outside of Biafra. The first issue were denominated at 5 shillings and £1 notes. A series of coins was issued in 1969, 3 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling and 2.5 shilling coins were minted, all made of aluminium; there were also from 1968 a second issue of banknotes in 5 shilling, 10 shilling, £1, £5 and £10 notes. Despite not being recognised as currency by the rest of the world when they were issued the banknotes were afterwards sold as curios (typically at 2/6 (=.0125 GBP) for 1 pound notes in London philately/notaphily shops) and are now traded among banknote collectors at well above their original nominal value.
The most common note is the 1968 1Pound, with the 10 Pound and all coins being rare.