BANKNOTES OF AFRICA A COLLECTORS OPPORTUNITY

Change in Africa occurring at a blistering pace. Since 1957 when the first State received independence there have been more than seventy five coups resulting often in violent and illegal change. Collectors now have a wonderful opportunity as several of these notes have  a resale value in excess of a thousand dollars in the banknote market. Heads of State are one of the best collecting options  and are featured here.

The Seychelles are an interesting place to start, they are scenic islands located in the Indian Ocean which are a haven for tropical birds and fish. Independence came in 1976 after more than one hundred and sixty two years of British rule. The one hundred rupee Government of Seychelles banknote displays the younger Queen  Elizabeth (click to see image)   head, but the centerpiece is a magnificent display of land turtles in a vivid red on yellow background. The August 1973 note is already a collectors gem, it exhibits three sort after features a head of state, wildlife and it was printed in limited numbers. Featured on the next note is the  flamboyant James  Mancham . Sir Jim to many, he mixed with the jet set around the world in his attempt to make Seychelles the luxury destination in the world.  Mancham  was successful the tourist industry began to boom, he survived in power for just over one year being deposed in an almost bloodless coup on 5thJune 1977.   

BANKNOTE VALUATIONS IN DOLLARS

  Country   Pick                                                 VG      VF     UNC

Seychelles  18d  100 Shillings 1-8-1973       75    500    2100

  Seychelles   19   10 Rupees    ND(1976)       2         5        18

  Nigeria       18a  20 Naira       ND(1977-84)     30     100       325

 Uganda       7c   10 Shillings    ND(1973)       1          2        7 

 C.A.R.         2    1000 Francs  ND(1974)             20       60        250

  Kenya        4a    50 Shillings   1-7-1966         55     300     850

                                          source Standard Catalog World Paper Money 11th edition JUNE 2006  

Two African leaders who provide vivid reminders of Africa's turbulent past  are  Idi Amin  from Uganda and the self imposed Emperor Bokassa in the Central African Republic. Both had sensational reigns. Amin  instigated a coup in 1971 became President and Chief  of  the Armed Forces. He assumed the title of Field Marshall in 1975 Life President in 1976 .He fled the capital Kampala to Saudi Arabia in April 1979 amid reports of torture and murder of thousands of Ugandans.  Bokassa  assumed the title Emperor  Bokassa  and changed the name of his country to Central African   Empire. His coronation cost an estimated twenty million dollars and he was deposed by French paratroopers in 1979 after charges that he personally participated in the  massacre of one hundred school children.                                                              

Heads of State are collected and become valuable when there are limited editions. One time Nigerian military leader General  Murtula Muhammed    was even less fortunate being killed in a coup after ruling for just six months. The twenty Naira note bearing the head of  Muhammed  is unusual being the first Nigerian note to depict the Head of State. Nigeria has had twelve changes in leadership since independence in1960   

   From a collectors perspective the notes of long standing African Leaders can command even higher prices, rapid inflation resulting in frequent new releases with different dates and signature varieties. President  Jomo  Kenyatta  was Kenya’s first Prime Minister (1963-4) and then President (1964-8). The 1st July 1966 50/- is one of the earliest of a long series of notes bearing Kenyattas  head.

            Collecting “Heads of State” is a popular collectors option. Values range from a few dollars to over a thousand, and many of these continue to appreciate in value as new leaders appear and new banknotes take there place. This a bonus for collectors of African money, notes from the United States or Great Britain change much less frequently.  A sense of national pride at the mention of the greenback belies the fact that the paper money of the United States is bland compared to most other countries. The paper money of Africa has an amazing variety as a combination of spectacular colors are used to portray subjects from wildlife to heads of state.  African leaders have historical significance many having played a leading role in their countries fight for independence. By collecting a limited number of countries a collector can soon amass a fascinating pictorial representation of history as it unfolds.