Biafran pound
Biafran pound | |
---|---|
Denominations | |
Superunit | |
1/20 | shilling |
1/240 | penny |
Symbol | £B |
Banknotes | 5/-, 10/-, £B1, £B5, £B10 |
Coins | 3d, 6d, 1/-, 2/6 |
Demographics | |
User(s) | Biafra |
Issuance | |
Central bank | Bank of Biafra |
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete. |
The Biafran pound (symbol £, or £B for distinction) was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1968 and 1970.
The first notes, denominated in 5 shillings and £B1, were introduced on January 29, 1968.[1] A series of coins was issued in 1969; 3d, 6d, 1/-, and 2s 6d coins were minted, all made of aluminium. In February 1969, a second family of notes was issued in denominations of 5s and 10s, £B1, £B5 and £B10. Despite not being recognised as currency by the rest of the world when issued, the banknotes were afterwards sold as curios (typically at a price of 2/6 (=£0.125Stg) for £B1 notes when sold in London notaphily shops), and are now traded among banknote collectors at well above their original nominal value.
The most commonly found notes are the 1968 and 1969 £B1 notes, with the £B10 note and all coins being rare.
Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1968 "First" issue) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Image | Value | Obverse | Reverse | |
[1] | 5/- | Palm tree over a rising sun | Four Biafran girls | |
[2] | £B1 | Palm tree over a rising sun | Coat of arms of Biafra |
Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1969 "Second" issue) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Image | Value | Obverse | Reverse | |
[3] | 5/- | Palm tree over a rising sun | Four Biafran girls | |
[4] | 10/- | Palm tree over a rising sun | Oil refinery | |
[5] | £B1 | Palm tree over a rising sun | Coat of arms of Biafra | |
[6] | £B5 | Palm tree over a rising sun | A female weaver | |
[7] | £B10 | Palm tree over a rising sun | A male carver |
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Linzmayer, Owen (2011). "Biafra". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: www.BanknoteNews.com. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
External links[]
- Banknotes of Biafra."Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-06-29. Retrieved 2006-01-13.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
- Coins with Nigerian naira
- Information from Biafraland.
- A detailed article on the banknotes of the Biafran pound pjsymes.com.au
- Biafra: Coins Issued and Used Online Coin Club
- Pound (currency)
- Modern obsolete currencies
- Currencies of the Commonwealth of Nations
- Currencies of Nigeria
- Biafra
- 1967 establishments in Nigeria
- 1970 disestablishments
- Economy of Nigeria
- Currency stubs
- Africa stubs