Category Archives: Currency Banknotes

banknotes denominating various currencies – mostly historical/ international/ archival… I just like the paper and the pictures, don’t really understand their “value” or significance. for amusement not forging

Currency Banknotes, Notes to Future Self

QE2: notes re: endless duplication / over & done “London Bridge is down”

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Sept 9, 9AM jst:

London Bridge, repeat London Bridge in down… after the codeword started at cavalcade of communications, back channels, telegrams to spark protocols which will outline choreography for A litany of arcane and vaguely mysterious (intentionally of course) procedures with various ceremonies, rights, processions and logistics in especially next 10 days, but beyond. 

A guardian “long reads” article:?London Bridge is down’: the secret plan for the days after the Queen’s death” I read a few years back In a bar in Malaysia (not that that matters) late it all out yet, watching today’s coverage, was surprised to see so many people fumbling for footage and talking about “all the footage we have in the archive that needs to be defrosted” I mean, really no excuse for that, 96 & post-c19.

And the whole collection started long before she was the monarch

Re: QE2, I wonder if she’s the most reproduced person in history including all the stamps, bank notes and coins, photographs, newspaper photos, personal photos, official portraits in offices and schools and hockey rinks etc.? The total is well into the billions or beyond. I haven’t got a calculator that big.

Other candidates: Gandhi, considering massive amount of banknotes circulating in India, but that didn’t start until after “independence“ and in 2016, common bank notes were recalled. Plus of course, those were seen in India only, not commonwealth. Lots of commemorative stamps for him but still not enough to bridge the gap.

So while the quantity of bills were spectacular, the longevity and multi-uses and global phenomenon of mass media and handy cameras certainly puts him on the back foot. Chairman Mao maybe? Or…

Definitely a lot of one dollar US bills made since then, especially if you add in all the counterfeit ones (not likekt used for illicit purposes but dor movie props…) Is he on coins? I can’t recall and how about stamps, definitely some stamps but again, missed out on the camera phones and mass produced newspaper heydays of the 1950s through the 90s.

(Trying to) also include photo of her sweet writing desk and I wonder how many writing desks did she utilize regularly? I mean that’s the *real* luxury after all / all that letterhead and so many fountain pens, envelopes for each castle/residence. I shiver at the prospects & possibilities.

used without permission for educational, non-commercial purposes

I think about all the effort (& expense) which went into changing official bank notes, stamps and portraits for Edward VIII for a reign which one was obviously very short-lived.

His family called him David but the country called him Edward 8, for a little while anyway

Friend D.S-C pointed out that Edward 8 coinage wasn’t minted because that process takes a little bit longer then bank notes, portraits and stamps and well, he’d abdicated before the mints were pressing.

Also pointed out how he acquired this lovely connection of George V and other unique/collectible bank notes under unusual circumstances (no no nothing fishy). Check it out:

Thanks Dave Stewart-Candy for this sweet collection

So many impressions of this silhouette and otherwise. No further commentary at this time, aside from what i’ve previously suggested: “if you make it past 78 with your marbles intact, you basically won life, the rest is bonus”

This album is “nice nice very nice, 10 year anniversary“ by Dan Mangan who you’ll find elsewhere in this archive

#AlwaysBeKind #NiceNiceVeryNice c/ @danmanganmusic

One more note: be on the lookout for the “Stone of Scone“ and whether it makes an appearance during the carnation which will come around in a year or so. Don’t know the significance or the story? Oh you’re in for a good one. Let’s just say it may very well be missing which will have significant significance for the people of Scotland.

Protocol Question: I attended Prince Charles elementary school (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada) as a young lad… Do you think the name will be changed now? I’m just wondering if I need to update my LinkedIn profile and get my various science fair ribbons updated…

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Currency Banknotes, Field Notes, Healing Ramble

Kerala Field Notes: painting, rupees, museum, specs, wedding etc

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The doors open, you don’t know where you might go, so you go

An omnibus round-up for lousy photos of logistical considerations, various tasks and personal memories in Thrippunithura (Kochi), Kerala, India (wiki), late 2016 while staying at Dr. Veena’s Ayurmantra hospital. Please read the related story and consider watching the “Healing Ramble, introduction” video for context on this series. 

In the neighbourhood

sherbet coloured houses in the neighbourhood 

I sought permission to go out of the house to explore the neighbourhood, and after a while, she relented, warning me of the intense heat. I made a few oil pastel paintings of neighbouring houses which were all “sherbet coloured“ with lime greens, tangerine oranges and lavender which I found delightful.

i stepped out to make oil pastel painting and quickly made pals / note my awsum disposable clothes 

However, as soon as I would sit down with my art supplies, the neighbourhood boys and men would gather around to see what I was doing, ask me dozens of questions, and look on intently at everything I was doing. Continue reading Kerala Field Notes: painting, rupees, museum, specs, wedding etc →

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Currency Banknotes

Collection: Currency (expired, variety), vol. 5 (includes Bulgaria!)

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The Philippines (Japanese government-issued): 10 Pesos, circa 1942 (front)
The Philippines (issued by Japanese Imperial government “East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere”), 10 Pesos, circa 1942, face

What follow is Volume Five of several in an on-going series – this one featuring currencies no longer in circulation for one reason or another including the fascinating Japanese Peso issued in The Philippines, as well as artifacts from Colombia, Nigeria, Brasil, Laos, Bulgaria and possibly other locales.

The Philippines (Japanese government-issued): 10 Pesos, circa 1942 (back)
The Philippines, (issued by Japanese Imperial government “East Asia Co-prosperity Sphere”) , 10 Pesos, circa 1942, reserve

Spiel: Once upon a time… humans moved away from bartering things and services on an ad hoc basis and came up with a default transaction medium which became known as money. First coins (well, maybe something before, likely made of clay) denominated by an arbitrary, yet commonly agreed-upon, value – often made of metals which were deemed to be rare/shiny/valuable.

Then after (perhaps admitting the arcane value of metals and needing something handier to tote around) eventually created paper bank notes – first with value attached to aforementioned shiny metals, then again arbitrarily assigned a transactional value by central banks and governments.

To me, this is neither here nor there, i really don’t have an opinion about the “importance” of money. Indeed, if you value such “wealth” so much, go forth and acquire in exchange for your time, talents or conniving – or simply create your own currency, print it and rally folks to desire it as a means of exchange. This is commonly done in form of community notes, “virtual” currencies (often managed by Blockchain tech), or even various commercial operations making notes, coupons or points systems.

My point in sharing this is: Very often, these banknotes – both contemporary or deprecated – are lovely specimens of design art and printing technology (granted the reason is usually to thwart counterfeit versions polluting the general population’s trust in the monetary system). Note: Collecting and studying banknotes is called notaphily.

Bulgaria (Narodna Republika Bulgaria), 200 (old) Leva, 1951 issue, face
Bulgaria (Narodna Republika Bulgaria), 200 (old) Leva, 1951 issue, reverse

Note: the 200 (old) Bulgarian Leva shows the portrait of Georgii Dimitrov On the back side of the 200 BGL bill is a scene of farm workers harvesting tobacco.

I very much enjoy the loveliness of printing “things on substrates” – the values to me are non-important (aside when i need to purchase eggs and bacon) but rather the artistic-ness and the totems decided by a society to represent their culture/country (often historical figures of various repute, significant events, important buildings or cultural motifs) are a source of endless curiosity.

Colombia, 20 Pesos Oro, 1981, face
Colombia, 20 Pesos Oro, 1981, reverse

Additionally, the stories the bills imbue, often soaked quite literally into the fibres, as well as the journey the note took to your hand or pocket and/or the travel one undertook to acquire… are what sparks my interest. As such, i gather these notes, photograph for the historical record and my own amusement and, evidently, to share with you. Continue reading Collection: Currency (expired, variety), vol. 5 (includes Bulgaria!) →

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Currency Banknotes

Stationery in Cinema, vol. 2 (passports, currencies, radio)

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Reviewing a dossier in a show called “They Spy”

Due to an affection for stationery, letters, scrapbooks and whatnot, i notice such items when viewing moving pictures. As such, i am often inclined to capture screenshots for my memory.

Sometimes, oddly enough, these are printed and put into scrapbooks in a sorta meta-remix. Either way, to keep these tidbits close at hand, assorted specimen are collected within.

Passports, variety 1,  in “The Americans”
Passports, variety 2,  in “The Americans”
Shortwave radio in “The Americans”
Currencies, various, in “The Americans”

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Currency Banknotes

Collection: Currency (variety, expired), vol. 4

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Austrian-Hungarian: 1 Krone (1916). Overprinted in black color "Deutschösterreich" (front)
Austrian-Hungarian: 1 Krone (1916). Overprinted in black color “Deutschösterreich” (front)

Once upon a time… humans moved away from bartering things and services on an ad hoc basis and came up with a default transaction medium which became known as money. First coins (well, maybe something before, likely made of clay) denominated by an arbitrary, yet commonly agreed-upon, value – often made of metals which were deemed to be rare/shiny/valuable.

Then after (perhaps admitting the arcane value of metals and needing something handier to tote around) eventually created paper bank notes – first with value attached to aforementioned shiny metals, then again arbitrarily assigned a transactional value by central banks and governments.

Austrian-Hungarian: 1 Krone (1916) (back)
Austrian-Hungarian: 1 Krone (1916) (back)

To me, this is neither here nor there, i really don’t have an opinion about the “importance” of money. Indeed, if you value such “wealth” so much, go forth and acquire in exchange for your time, talents or conniving – or simply create your own currency, print it and rally folks to desire it as a means of exchange. This is commonly done in form of community notes, “virtual” currencies (often managed by Blockchain tech), or even various commercial operations making notes, coupons or points systems.

My point in sharing this is: Very often, these banknotes – both contemporary or deprecated – are lovely specimens of design art and printing technology (granted the reason is usually to thwart counterfeit versions polluting the general population’s trust in the monetary system). I very much enjoy the loveliness of printing “things on substrates” – the values to me are non-important (aside when i need to purchase eggs and bacon) but rather the artistic-ness and the totems decided by a society to represent their culture/country (often historical figures of various repute, significant events, important buildings or cultural motifs) are a source of endless curiosity. Additionally, the stories the bills imbue, often soaked quite literally into the fibres, as well as the journey the note took to your hand or pocket and/or the travel one undertook to acquire… are what sparks my interest.

Reichsbanknote (Republic Treasury Notes) - 100 Mark, circa 1920 (front)
Reichsbanknote (Republic Treasury Notes) – 100 Mark, circa 1920 (front)

As such, i gather these notes, photograph for the historical record and my own amusement and, evidently, to share with you.

What follow is Volume Four of several in an on-going series – this one featuring currencies no longer in circulation for one reason or another including some which are vagaries of war-time provisional governments or otherwise difficult to identify exact origins. Also Nicaragua.

Reichsbanknote (Republic Treasury Notes) - 100 Mark, circa 1920 (back)
Reichsbanknote (Republic Treasury Notes) – 100 Mark, circa 1920 (back)

Continue reading Collection: Currency (variety, expired), vol. 4 →

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Currency Banknotes

Collection: Currency (variety, expired), vol. 3

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Canada: 1 Dollar (featuring Queen Elizabeth 2 of UK) thanks to Pvt. Ben Rees CF
Canada: 1 Dollar (featuring Queen Elizabeth 2 of UK) front – thanks to Pvt. Ben Rees CF

Once upon a time… humans moved away from bartering things and services on an ad hoc basis and came up with a default transaction medium which became known as money. First coins (well, maybe something before, likely made of clay) denominated by an arbitrary, yet commonly agreed-upon, value – often made of metals which were deemed to be rare/shiny/valuable.

Vietnam: 1000 Dong (front)
Vietnam: 1000 Dong, ca. 1988 (front)

Then after (perhaps admitting the arcane value of metals and needing something handier to tote around) eventually created paper bank notes – first with value attached to aforementioned shiny metals, then again arbitrarily assigned a transactional value by central banks and governments.

Vietnam: 1000 Dong (back)
Vietnam: 1000 Dong ca. 1988 (back)

To me, this is neither here nor there, i really don’t have an opinion about the “importance” of money. Indeed, if you value such “wealth” so much, go forth and acquire in exchange for your time, talents or conniving – or simply create your own currency, print it and rally folks to desire it as a means of exchange. This is commonly done in form of community notes, “virtual” currencies (often managed by Blockchain tech), or even various commercial operations making notes, coupons or points systems.

My point in sharing this is: Very often, these banknotes – both contemporary or deprecated – are lovely specimens of design art and printing technology (granted the reason is usually to thwart counterfeit versions polluting the general population’s trust in the monetary system). I very much enjoy the loveliness of printing “things on substrates” – the values to me are non-important (aside when i need to purchase eggs and bacon) but rather the artistic-ness and the totems decided by a society to represent their culture/country (often historical figures of various repute, significant events, important buildings or cultural motifs) are a source of endless curiosity. Additionally, the stories the bills imbue, often soaked quite literally into the fibres, as well as the journey the note took to your hand or pocket and/or the travel one undertook to acquire… are what sparks my interest.

As such, i gather these notes, photograph for the historical record and my own amusement and, evidently, to share with you.

What follow is Volume Three of several in an on-going series – this one featuring currencies no longer in circulation for one reason or another including Canada, Vietnam, Estonia (i think), and Trinadad and Tobago.

Canada: 1 Dollar (featuring Queen Elizabeth 2 of UK) back – thanks to Pvt. Ben Rees CF
Canada: 1 Dollar (featuring Queen Elizabeth 2 of UK) back – thanks to Pvt. Ben Rees CF

Continue reading Collection: Currency (variety, expired), vol. 3 →

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Currency Banknotes

Collection: Currency (variety, in action), vol. 2

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Sri Lanka: rupee (variety, with Ayurvedic items)
Sri Lanka: Rupee (variety, with Ayurvedic items)

Once upon a time… humans moved away from bartering things and services on an ad hoc basis and came up with a default transaction medium which became known as money. First coins (well, maybe something before, likely made of clay) denominated by an arbitrary, yet commonly agreed-upon, value – often made of metals which were deemed to be rare/shiny/valuable.

Then after (perhaps admitting the arcane value of metals and needing something handier to tote around) eventually created paper bank notes – first with value attached to aforementioned shiny metals, then again arbitrarily assigned a transactional value by central banks and governments.

To me, this is neither here nor there, i really don’t have an opinion about the “importance” of money. Indeed, if you value such “wealth” so much, go forth and acquire in exchange for your time, talents or conniving – or simply create your own currency, print it and rally folks to desire it as a means of exchange. This is commonly done in form of community notes, “virtual” currencies (often managed by Blockchain tech), or even various commercial operations making notes, coupons or points systems.

Thai baht (20) with coins (various)
Thai baht (20) with coins (various)

My point in sharing this is: Very often, these banknotes – both contemporary or deprecated – are lovely specimens of design art and printing technology (granted the reason is usually to thwart counterfeit versions polluting the general population’s trust in the monetary system). I very much enjoy the loveliness of printing “things on substrates” – the values to me are non-important (aside when i need to purchase eggs and bacon) but rather the artistic-ness and the totems decided by a society to represent their culture/country (often historical figures of various repute, significant events, important buildings or cultural motifs) are a source of endless curiosity. Additionally, the stories the bills imbue, often soaked quite literally into the fibres, as well as the journey the note took to your hand or pocket and/or the travel one undertook to acquire… are what sparks my interest.

As such, i gather these notes, photograph for the historical record and my own amusement and, evidently, to share with you.

Thai baht (50) and USA dollar (1) and coins (various) - as shown with key (room 204) and Do Not Disturb sign (used)
Thai baht (50) and USA dollar (1) and coins (various) – as shown with key (room 204) and Do Not Disturb sign (used) – as photographed by Lomo

This is Volume Two of several in an on-going series, this round featuring notes in situ as it were in Sri Lanka, Thailand as well as a variety of banknotes in common use in USA, European Union and Indonesia.

Singapore: Dollar (5, 10, 50 – front)
Singapore: Dollar (5, 10, 50 – front)

Continue reading Collection: Currency (variety, in action), vol. 2 →

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Currency Banknotes

Collection: Currency (variety, international), vol. 1

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Oman: Rial (1, front)
Oman: Rial (1, front)

Once upon a time… humans moved away from bartering things and services on an ad hoc basis and came up with a default transaction medium which became known as money. First coins (well, maybe something before, likely made of clay) denominated by an arbitrary, yet commonly agreed-upon, value – often made of metals which were deemed to be rare/shiny/valuable.

Then after (perhaps admitting the arcane value of metals and needing something handier to tote around) eventually created paper bank notes – first with value attached to aforementioned shiny metals, then again arbitrarily assigned a transactional value by central banks and governments.

To me, this is neither here nor there, i really don’t have an opinion about the “importance” of money. Indeed, if you value such “wealth” so much, go forth and acquire in exchange for your time, talents or conniving – or simply create your own currency, print it and rally folks to desire it as a means of exchange. This is commonly done in form of community notes, “virtual” currencies (often managed by Blockchain tech), or even various commercial operations making notes, coupons or points systems.

Oman: Rial (1/2 Rial – back, 100 Baisa– front / back)

My point in sharing this is: Very often, these banknotes – both contemporary or deprecated – are lovely specimens of design art and printing technology (granted the reason is usually to thwart counterfeit versions polluting the general population’s trust in the monetary system). I very much enjoy the loveliness of printing “things on substrates” – the values to me are non-important (aside when i need to purchase eggs and bacon) but rather the artistic-ness and the totems decided by a society to represent their culture/country (often historical figures of various repute, significant events, important buildings or cultural motifs) are a source of endless curiosity. Additionally, the stories the bills imbue, often soaked quite literally into the fibres, as well as the journey the note took to your hand or pocket and/or the travel one undertook to acquire… are what sparks my interest.

As such, i gather these notes, photograph for the historical record and my own amusement and, evidently, to share with you.

India: Rupee (variety, front)
India: Rupee (20, 50, 100 –  front)

This is Volume One of several in an on-going series, this round featuring notes from SouthEast Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Arabia locales and possibly others.

Continue reading Collection: Currency (variety, international), vol. 1 →

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