Thursday, September 12, 2013

Sri Lanka P123 2010 20 Rupees






Pick:  P123
Date:  2010
Colour:  Red on multicolor underprint
Monetary Authority:  Central Bank of Sri Lanka
Series: 2010 Dancers Issue
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co. Limited, London, England
Signatures: Mahinda Rajapaksa, Ajith Nivard Cabraal

Front:  Colombo port.  Shipping container loading crane.  Container ship.

Central Bank of Sri Lanka written in large Sinhala text.  Below in small Tamil and English text is written Centeral Bank of Sri Lanka.

"This currency note which is issued on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka is valid for any monetary transaction within Sri Lanka" is written in smaller Sinhala text.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka recently stated in 2012 that it would change its policy and include the "This currency note which is issued on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka is valid for any monetary transaction within Sri Lanka" in Tamil text on future banknote issues.

Sri Lanka has never issued banknotes which included full translation of Sinhala text in Tamil or English text since the country implemented Sinhalese nationalist policies in 1956.

Back:  Dancers.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

2013 20 Dollar Coin - Contemporary Art



This non circulating mintage coin was designed by Carlito Dalceggio born in Quebec in 1971.  The front of this coin features the artist`s contemporary version of native Canadian art.  It shows ancestors merge with the future in this round, tribal design that has no starting point because the ‘fountain of life’ never ends.

Year: 2013
Mintage:  7500
Composition : Fine Silver (99.99% pure)
Finish:  Proof
Weight:  31.39 g
Diameter: 38 mm
Edges:  Serrated
Certificate: Serialized
Face value:  20 Dollars
Artist:  Carlito Dalceggio (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse)
Issue Price: $89.99

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Fake Canada $1 Dollar 1973 Mismatched Error Notes





Recently sold on Ebay for $105.10 + $12 shipping was a set of 9 Bank of Canada Multicolour 1973 series 1 dollar mismatched error notes.

The seller had them listed as:

TOP CONDITION UNC MISS CUT MISS MATCHED ONE DOLLAR BANK OF CANADA NOTES.MOST LIKELY OF A SHEET OF FORTY.ALL 9 ARE IDENTICAL MISSMATCHED TYPES AND ARE ORIGINAL BANK OF CANADA NOTES.

These notes are mismatched because they were cut from a uncut bank note sheet 40 x $1 which were sold by the Bank of Canada on December 12th 1988 to collectors.  The left side of belonging to one note from the sheet and the right side belonging to a different note on the same sheet.

The value of these notes to any collector of Canadian Paper money would not be more than face value of $9.

Collectors should be aware that $1 banknotes from 1973 with any errors are fake.

Fake error notes from these sheets have appeared as cutting or fold over errors.  Since these sheet were sold as collector sheets they were check by the Bank of Canada and it is highly unlikely that any ink errors were sold.

A total of 114,516 sheets were sold between December 1988 and June 1989.

BABN sheets were sold in a 5 x 8 format.  88,009 BABN sheets were sold.  CBN sheets were sold in a 4 x 10 format. 26,507 CBN sheets were sold.  These include replacement banknote sheets of BAX, and EAX.

The prefixes of the sheets sold were as follows: BFD, BFK, BFL, BAX, ECP, ECR, ECV, ECW, EAX.  The 2011 collector prices for these sheets in AU condition are between $150 to $450.  The replacement note sheets range in collector price from $375 to $800.

The notes that were cut and sold on Ebay came from a BFK sheet.


Thursday, August 8, 2013

Canada $5 Dollar Double Star Hockey Stick Error Notes

Some of the Journey Series 5 Dollar bills that were printed in 2010 are different from the rest of the bills that were printed in the same year.

These notes are consistently missing ink on the back and occurs mostly happens with HP_ prefix.  It has been recognized in the 2013 Charlton Catalog.  These notes are definitely worth saving.

An Error note with inserts of the images from a regular note.  The hockey stick held by the number 9 player is also has two stars on the blade.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

New Guinness Record for Largest Collection of Uncut Banknotes

Penticton man counting on new Guinness record

 

By Joe Fries - Penticton Western News
Published: July 20, 2013 2:00 PM


Under the scrutiny of a banker and a security professional, a Penticton man last week set out to smash his own Guinness world record for the largest collection of uncut banknotes.

Leigh Follestad is preparing to submit to Guinness the documentation necessary to confirm the new record of 212 sheets in 134 different denominations from 51 unique countries, numbers about double the current benchmarks.

He began accumulating coins as a boy, but it was an uncut sheet of US $2 bills he found in Hawaii that became the foundation for his collection.

“This is basically my baby since I was 10,” said Follestad, who owns the downtown Smart Shopper store.
The colourful collection, which includes rejects, proofs and special collectors’ editions, spans the globe, from Ecuadorian sucres to New Zealand dollars and Chinese yuan.

“Canadian money is just as good as the rest of them,” he added.

At first, Follestad found new additions through central banks, magazines and dealers, “then the Internet came along with eBay and that kind of thing and I started putting buying requests out.”

The collection, stored in a secret location, is now valued at tens of thousands of dollars.

He set the previous record in 2005 after lobbying Guinness officials to create the category. To establish the new record, he had to find two reputable community members to count the sheets of money and validate the submission.

Guinness “won’t send someone for this… but they’ll verify everything and contact these people and make sure that everything is legit,” said Follestad.

Kyle Gilbert, a CIBC business financial advisor who was one of the official counters, said the task was just a little bit outside his usual job description.

“It’s a first for me. I’ll do a lot of different things for clients, but that was definitely the first on the Guinness verification program,” said the 33-year veteran of the banking industry.

“This was quite different. Most entertaining, actually.”

Follestad expects to send off his application this week and hopes to find out by the end of the year if Guinness will accept the new record.

Saturday, July 27, 2013

Qatari Collector Tries to Set World Record for Same Serial Banknotes




A Qatari currency collector wants to make it to the Guinness Book of World Records as the first man to collect banknotes from different countries with similar serial numbers.

During the launching of his exhibition at Katara Cultural Village, Hassan bin Ali al-Naimi told Gulf Times that his collections had notes with serial numbers 000001, 000002, 000003 and 111111 which he considers as rare and hard to find.

He now has more or less 10,000 banknotes collected from different countries (including the Gulf region) and 100,000 from rare currency with nominated number.  Al-Naimi disclosed that he travelled a lot, went to many banks and exchange companies to look for the banknotes he was collecting. “I also go to dealers and businessmen. I meet and tell them what I am looking for so they could help me find these rare items,” he said.
However, he admits his passion is costly, given the arduous task of searching and travelling from one place to another. “It takes a lot of time and a lot of money too,” he quipped.

The currency collector also held many exhibitions in different parts of the world: the biggest were in Brazil, London, Paris and Japan. He also organised similar events in Holland and Singapore before holding one in Doha.

“I think I am the only one doing this, a kind of collection with similar serial numbers. No one has done this before and I’d like to be the first one,” he stressed. Al-Naimi believes that many collectors focus only in getting the usual notes at the local level. He urges them to do it on a wide scale by travelling to many countries.

He started collecting when he was 16 although his parents were not into currency collection. He recounted that he used to tease and hate people who had this hobby “but later on I am one of the biggest collectors”.
“We are not a family of collectors, but now, I am a one-man show. I started it all,” he said. “I don’t know why I became interested in it”.

One possible reason he cited is because of his observation that collectors feel happy of what they do especially when they exert extra effort to achieve their goal. When they tell him: “See this number? I challenge you if you can get the same number from outside,” then he would go everywhere and look for it. “I struggle a lot to get it.”

He describes currency collecting as “unique and fantastic” hobby.

About his plans, he wants to get as many different, rare things and “fancy numbers” as possible.
About the challenges he encountered in pursuing his passion, he reiterates that currency collection is an expensive hobby.

“There are many dealers, businessmen and collectors who pay a high price to get it. So you have to have a nice amount of money to get it also,” he added.

Meanwhile, HE Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali al-Thani, the vice chairman of the Qatar Museums Authority, inaugurated four art exhibitions on Sunday including Naimi’s “Letters and Money” at Building No 3. On the same day, Katara has also opened the “History of Qatari Publications & Printing” and Maher Alsamarai’s ceramic exhibitions. It also featured Qatari artist Rashid Mubarak al-Muhanadi’s five paintings which were about the ideas of the Holy Qur’an, letters and Arabic poetry.

Friday, July 26, 2013

New England £10 note featuring Jane Austen

Change for a tenner: New £10 note featuring Jane Austen - the design explained

Author Jane Austen replaces Charles Darwin after Bank of England faced criticism for its decision to replace Elizabeth Fry on the £5 note with Sir Winston Churchill


 
The Jane Austen £10 note, which is expected in circulation by 2017, will feature a quote from the author’s celebrated novel, Pride and Prejudice. The line is from the character Miss Bingley, who said: “I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading!”
The novelist’s portrait is an engraving adapted from an original sketch of Jane Austen drawn by her sister, Cassandra Austen. It was commissioned by their nephew,  James Edward Austen Leigh in 1870.
In the background is an image of Godmersham Park, home of the author’s brother, Edward Austen Knight. Austen visited the house often and it is believed to be the inspiration for a number of her novels.
Hovering above Godmersham Park is an illustration of Pride and Prejudice’s heroine, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, undertaking “The examination of all the letters which Jane had written to her” - from a drawing by Isabel Bishop.
The central design in the background is inspired by her 12-sided writing table, and writing quills, which she used at Chawton Cottage, the Hampshire home where she wrote many of her novels.
 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

RBI ask banks to collect counterfeit notes and give credit to customers

The Reserve Bank guidelines on counterfeit notes to banks indicates that banks will have to streamline their system in a manner that they have to bear the risk of receiving counterfeits rather than the common man who suffers a loss by unknowingly comes into possession of such notes

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed banks to collect counterfeit notes from depositors, mark them appropriately and also give credit to the customer for value of notes submitted.

“Detection of counterfeit notes, at banks, should be at the back office or currency chest only,” the RBI said in a circular issued on 27 June 2013 . “Banknotes when tendered over the counters may be checked for arithmetical accuracy and other deficiencies like whether there are mutilated notes, and appropriate credit passed on to the depositor or account or value in exchange given,” it added.

The RBI has further said that banks, which detect and deposit such counterfeit currency, would be compensated to a small extent. In the circular the central bank said, “It has been decided to compensate the banks 25% of the loss incurred in respect of counterfeit notes of Rs100 and above detected by them and reported to RBI and Police authorities.” This means that banks will not be absolved of the duty to check for counterfeits, but would not be the losers when a small number of fakes get past them.

The problem of counterfeit notes has been escalating over the years. Recently, fake Indian currency, worth Rs37 lakh from a Chinese source was detected at a Delhi restaurant. In another recent case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed clear link between Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir-based terror outfits pooling their resources to circulate fake Indian currency and using it to fund jihadi activities in India, says a report from India Today.

According to RBI, reporting and detection of counterfeit notes has not improved on its expected lines. RBI said although 90% of the currency chests are with the public sector banks, they account for reporting of a mere 10% of counterfeit notes, while private sector banks with less than 10% of currency chests are reporting 90% of such cases.

The central bank also warned that it would penalize banks that do not report counterfeit notes in its branch or currency chest. Banks would be penalized if found holding counterfeit notes in its branch or currency chest without reporting it to RBI or Police, during an inspection by the RBI. “It will be construed as willful involvement of the bank concerned in circulating counterfeit notes, and appropriate penalty strict regulatory measures against the bank including stringent disciplinary action will be imposed by RBI,” the circular said.

Here are the RBI’s guidelines for detection of counterfeit notes to banks…

1)     The process of detection of counterfeit notes should be carried out at back office or currency chest only. Banks can check arithmetical accuracy and other deficiencies like mutilated notes at counters and passed on appropriate credit to the depositor/account or value in exchange given.

2)      Thereafter the notes should be passed over to the back office or currency chest, as the case may be, for detailed verification and authentication through machines.

3)      The notes categorized as suspect during machine processing should be subjected to manual verification for checking their authenticity.

4)     The notes identified as counterfeit should be kept separately with proper impounding stamp in the prescribed format. Details of each impounded note should be recorded under authentication in a separate register.

5)     There will not be any requirement to issue acknowledgement to the tenderer. 

6)     In the cases of detection of up to four pieces of counterfeit notes, in a single transaction, consolidated monthly statement should be sent to the Nodal Police Station through the Nodal Officer of the bank. In case of detection of five or more pieces, FIR in the prescribed format should be lodged.

7)     Banks should monitor the patterns or trends of such detection and suspicious trends or patterns should be brought to the notice of RBI or Police authorities immediately. 

8)     The reporting procedure to the Regional Offices of RBI in the prescribed format will remain unchanged.

It also observed that despite the measures and after rationalizing the procedure of filing first information reports (FIRs), the detection and subsequent reporting of counterfeit notes by banks continue to be inadequate. This has serious repercussions in that the Reserve Bank is not in a position to assess the number of counterfeit notes in circulation and its ramifications for the economy.

In past we saw many cases of counterfeiting of currencies, but in India it’s not as big which affects the economy as a whole. Involvement of Pakistan ISI and Counterfeit Currency boosted from Bangladesh borders may spread many Counterfeit Currency across the country but RBI also take initiatives to protect it, RBI launched website to explain detection of fake currency. As Prevention is always better than cure to prevent yourself be aware and alert! Still if you stuck with few counterfeit notes, make sure that you deposit it in your bank!

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Ceylon P36 2 Rupees



Pick: P36
Date:  20.12.1941 - 01.03.1949
Colour: Violet and brown.

Front: King George VI. George VI (14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death. He was the last Emperor of India, and the first Head of the Commonwealth.

Back: Thuparama pagoda, Anuradhapura

Watermark: Chinthe.

Printer: Unknown, India

Size:

Varieties
a.  20TH DECEMBER 1941
a. 19TH SEPTEMBER 1942, Straight Edge
a. 19TH SEPTEMBER 1942, Perforated Edge
a. 4TH AUGUST 1943. Straight Edge
a. 4th AUGUST 1943. Perforated Edge
a. 12th JULY 1944, Straight Edge
a. 24TH JUNE 1945
a. 7TH MAY 1946
a. 1ST MARCH 1949

This note is available with straight cut or perforated left edge.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

The £5 note that sold for £425: Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet bank note was a good investment

This is Somerset

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

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 This article fails to mention that 5 pounds in 1833 would have the purchasing power 504 pounds due to inflation.  The Bank of England's inflation rate from 1833 to 2012 was 2.6% per year.   This note however has been cancelled as noted by the XXXXX over the signature and was likely removed from circulation.  It therefore should not have any face value only numismatic value.
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A five pound note sold for 85 times it’s face value last week.

The Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet Bank five pound note was dated 1833 and expected to reach between £100 and £200 in the February 20 auction in Wells but was snapped up for £425 by one eager buyer at McCubbing & Redfern, Wells Auction Rooms. 
    Provincial private banks started in the 18th century but it was only by the 1820s that most of the major towns had their own banks, and each issued their own local banknotes. These banks, however, were rare and often shortlived with many having precarious financial stability.

    Banknotes at this time were almost like IOUs and could only be used locally. If the bank collapsed the notes became worthless. By 1826 legislation was established whereby banks could join forces into what was called joint stock banks.This offered the smaller establishments stability. The Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet Bank was established in 1812 by partners John Lilly, Charles Brown, John Fry Reeves and Marshall Williams.

    Wells itself had a branch of the bank open in 1820.

    The Glastonbury and Shepton Mallet Bank, along with several other West Country banks, was later incorporated into Stuckey’s Banking Co. of Langport in 1835.

    Banknotes from these early banks are rare and highly sought after by local historians, families and of course, banknote collectors. It is was in the late 1950s that banknote collecting began.

    By the 1960s virtually every country in the world used banknotes and it is an area of collecting that is highly accessible. As a hobby, banknote collecting is interesting, easy to store and display and can prove to be an excellent investment; especially if one specialises in the rarer, quality banknotes.

    Saturday, March 16, 2013

    Queen given pop-culture makeover on banknotes

    The Queen has been depicted in many ways during her six decades on the throne, but perhaps never before as Captain Spock.

    That particular interpretation has been executed on an Australian five-dollar note by an unknown ‘artist’ and published alongside a series of other unofficial Royal portraits on a blog.

    The illegally-altered five-dollar notes, which bear the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, include images of the country’s monarch as a pirate, Count Dracula, the computer-game character Super Mario and a swimmer, among others.

    One of the defaced bank notes published on the blog, bunchof5s.wordpress.com, reflects the Queen’s appearance alongside Daniel Craig as James Bond at last year’s Olympics opening ceremony — although in this instance lacking her usual benevolence.

    While the drawings on the small, plastic canvases may not be as elegant as Andy Warhol’s 1985 series of Elizabeth II, some of the pop-culture makeovers may appeal to her sense of humour.
    It is illegal to deface Australian currency, a crime attracting an AU$5,000 (£3,430) fine, or even two years in jail.