Biafran pound

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Biafran pound

£1 banknote 1968
Central bank Bank of Biafra
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

The Biafran pound was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1968 and 1970.

The first notes denominated in 5 shillings and £1 were introduced on January 29, 1968.[1] A series of coins was issued in 1969; 3 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling and 2½ shilling coins were minted, all made of aluminium. In February 1969, a second family of notes was issued consisting of 5 shilling, 10 shilling, £1, £5 and £10 denominations. 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 1 Pound, with the 10 Pound and all coins being rare.

Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1968 "First" issue)
Image Value Obverse Reverse
5/- Palm tree over a rising sun Four Igbo girls
£1 Palm tree over a rising sun Coat of arms of Biafra
Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1969 "Second" issue)
Image Value Obverse Reverse
5/- Palm tree over a rising sun Four Igbo girls
10/- Palm tree over a rising sun Oil refinery
£1 Palm tree over a rising sun Coat of arms of Biafra
£5 Palm tree over a rising sun A female weaver
£10 Palm tree over a rising sun A male carver

See also

References

  1. Linzmayer, Owen (2011). "Biafra". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: www.BanknoteNews.com. Retrieved 2011-08-21. 

External links


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