...Transnistria - 1 Ruble ND2025 Commemorative 35th Year of the Formation of Transnistria

Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ

Приднестровская Молдавская Республика

(Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)

 

Transnistrian Republican Bank (Est.1992)

Currency : Ruble (RUP)

And there are more to come!

This is the 30th commemorative note issued by Transnistria since 2009. Like previous issues, the designs are the same but with the commemorative logo added to the watermark area of the banknote. 

Transnistria, officially known as the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and to the locals simply as Pridnestrovie, is a landlocked breakaway state internationally recognised as part of Moldova. This note celebrates the 35 years of declaration of independence from Moldavian SSR (now Moldova) on 2nd September 1990.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1990, the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic (Transnistria) was established, hoping that they would still be part of Russia should Moldova decide to seek unification with Romania. Moldova then became independent in 1991, and shortly after that arms conflict started between the two parties (Transnistris and Moldova) in March 1992. Ceasefire was declared in July 1992, but the dispute is still unresolved until today. 

Despite declaring independence in 1990, apart from Russia, hardly any other countries recognised the independence of Transnistria, except for Abkhazia and South Ossetia. However, both Abkhazia and South Ossetia are also disputed territories themselves and both are considered as part of Georgia by the rest of the world.

Like those previously commemorative issued, only 2,500 pieces are printed with 2,490 issued in a booklet. The Transnistria Ruble is not negotiable outside its territory. 

One Ruble 

Front - The format and design of this note is similar to the 2012 series. A portrait of the Russian General Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov (b.1730-1800) in military uniform. General Suvorav was a Russian born military hero holding the rank of Field Marshal Generalissimo. He was born in Moscow and joined the army at the age of 17 and was promoted to the rank of colonel when he was 32 years old. By 1787, he was then promoted to the rank of General. During his lifetime, he was involved in at least 57 battles/wars with the majority of these conflicts ending in victory in his favour. He died at the age of 70 years old and was buried in the city of St Petersburg. He was the fourth Generalissimo of Russia.

To the right of the note where the watermark area is, is printed with the map of Transnistria (commemorative logo). The map is divided into seven districts illustrated in the colours of the flag of Transnistria. Next to the map, is the commemorative text:-

"35 ЛЕТ ПМР"

(35 YEARS OF THE PMR)  

Signature - N/A

Date: 2012 (2025 issue)

Watermarks - Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov and electrotype ПРБ

Quantity - 2,500 pieces issued with 2,490 in booklet

Dimensions - 129mm x 56mm

Back - Kitskansk Bridgehead memorial or Chiţcani monument in Chitcani. This monument was built in 1972 (opened 09.05.1972) to commemorate victory against the German's invasion during the Second World War in 1944. Chitcani is situated north of Tiraspol, the capital city of Transnistria.  

Front Cover

List of all Commemorative notes issued since 2009

2009 - 15 Years of National Currency;

2014 - 20 Years of National Currency, 2020 sets (4 notes);

2015 - 70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWll), 7070 sets, 2000 sets in folders (2 notes);

2015 - 25 Years of Transnistria Republic, 2525 sets, 2000 sets in folders (4 notes);

2017 - 100 Years of the Great October Socialist Revolution, 5,000 sets, 2017 sets in folders (2 notes);

2017 - 100 Year of KGB/State Security Bodies, 2500 sets in folders;

2017 - 100 Years of Police Force, 2500 sets in folders;

2018 - 100 Years of Border Troops, 2500 sets, 1000 sets in folder;

2018 - 100 Years of Armed Force/State Police, 2500 sets, 1000 sets in folders (Text - 27 Yrs of the Armed Forces of the PMR);

2019 - 30 Years of Soviet Troops withdrawing from Afghanistan, 1500 sets in folders;

2019 - 75th Anniversary Years of Liberation from Nazi Invaders, 1500 sets in folders;

2019 - 75th Anniversary of Jassy-Kishinev Operation, 1500 sets in folders;

2019 - 25 Years of National Currency, 200000 pieces, 2500 sets in folders (2 notes);

2020 - 75 Years of End of World War ll (1945-2020), 2500 sets in folders;

2020 - 30th Year of Formation of Transdniestr, 2510 sets, 2500 sets in folders;

2021 - 30th Anniversary of the First PMR bank, 2510 sets, 2500 sets in folders issued;

2021 - 30th Anniversary of the PMR Financial System, 2510 sets, 2500 sets in folders;

2023 - 100th Year of the 2023 - 100th Year of Gold Chervonets, 2500 sets, 2490 sets in folders;

2024 - 30th Anniversary of the Pridnestrovian Ruble, 1,500 sets, 1,490 sets in folders;

2024 - 100th Year of Formation of the MASSR, 1,500 sets, 1,490 sets in folders;

2025 - 80th Year of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII 1939-1945), 2,490 sets;

2025 - 35th Year of the Formation of Transnistria, 2,500 sets, 2490 sets in folder; 

...Transnistria - One Ruble ND2025 Commemorative 80TH Anniversary Of End Of World War Two 1945-2025

Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ

Приднестровская Молдавская Республика

(Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)

 

Transnistrian Republican Bank (Est.1992)

Currency : Ruble (RUP)

The never ending story continues.  

Here, another 1 ruble overprint commemorative is released celebrating the end of the last war, World War II. Nazi Germany was defeated in Mid-April in Eastern Europe and the war did not end until the unconditional surrender of Nazi Germany on 08.05.1945. 

This is the 29th commemorative note issued by Transnistria since 2009. Like previous issues, the designs are the same but with the commemorative logo added to the watermark area of the banknote. 

One Ruble

Front - The format and design of this note is similar to the 2012 series. A portrait of the Russian General Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov (b.1730-1800) in military uniform. General Suvorav was a Russian born military hero holding the rank of Field Marshal Generalissimo. He was born in Moscow and joined the army at the age of 17 and was promoted to the rank of colonel when he was 32 years old. By 1787, he was then promoted to the rank of General. During his lifetime, he was involved in at least 57 battles/wars with the majority of these conflicts ending in victory in his favour. He died at the age of 70 years old and was buried in the city of St Petersburg. He was the fourth Generalissimo of Russia.

To the right of the note where the watermark area is, is printed with the commemorative logo of a woman statue with a raised sword. Next to it is the numeral of 80 and below it is the Russian word ПОБЕДА! or victory!

Signature - N/A

Date: 2012 (2025 issue)

Watermarks - Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov and electrotype ПРБ

Quantity - 2490 pieces issued

Dimensions - 130.5mm x 56.5mm

Back - Kitskansk Bridgehead memorial or Chiţcani monument in Chitcani. This monument was built in 1972 (opened 09.05.1972) to commemorate victory against the German's invasion during the Second World War in 1944. Chitcani is situated north of Tiraspol, the capital city of Transnistria.  

Below are the scans of the simple card folder on the front and also inside the description for this issue. I have also translated this from Russian to English with the help of Google Translate. 

On the front cover, it depicts a very well known picture of two Russian soldiers raising a Soviet Union flag over the Reichstag (Parliament) in Berlin. This picture was taken by Tevgeny Ananyevich Khaldei (b.1917-1997) during the final stage of the war in Europe. The picture was taken on 02.05.1945 during the Battle of Berlin. 

Front over 

Inside Cover

Translated to English, courtesy of Google Translate.

List of all commemorative banknotes issued:-

2009 - 15 Years of National Currency;

2014 - 20 Years of National Currency, 2020 sets (4 notes);

2015 - 70 Years of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWll), 7070 sets, 2000 sets in folders (2 notes);

2015 - 25 Years of Transnistria Republic, 2525 sets, 2000 sets in folders (4 notes);

2017 - 100 Years of the Great October Socialist Revolution, 5,000 sets, 2017 sets in folders (2 notes);

2017 - 100 Year of KGB/State Security Bodies, 2500 sets in folders;

2017 - 100 Years of Police Force, 2500 sets in folders;

2018 - 100 Years of Border Troops, 2500 sets, 1000 sets in folder;

2018 - 100 Years of Armed Force/State Police, 2500 sets, 1000 sets in folders (Text - 27 Yrs of the Armed Forces of the PMR);

2019 - 30 Years of Soviet Troops withdrawing from Afghanistan, 1500 sets in folders;

2019 - 75th Anniversary Years of Liberation from Nazi Invaders, 1500 sets in folders;

2019 - 75th Anniversary of Jassy-Kishinev Operation, 1500 sets in folders;

2019 - 25 Years of National Currency, 200000 pieces, 2500 sets in folders (2 notes);

2020 - 75 Years of End of World War ll (1945-2020), 2500 sets in folders;

2020 - 30th Year of Formation of Transdniestr, 2510 sets, 2500 sets in folders;

2021 - 30th Anniversary of the First PMR bank, 2510 sets, 2500 sets in folders issued;

2021 - 30th Anniversary of the PMR Financial System, 2510 sets, 2500 sets in folders;

2023 - 100th Year of the 2023 - 100th Year of Gold Chervonets, 2500 sets, 2490 sets in folders;

2024 - 30th Anniversary of the Pridnestrovian Ruble, 1,500 sets, 1,490 sets in folders;

2024 - 100th Year of Formation of the MASSR, 1,500 sets, 1,490 sets in folders;

2025 - 80th Year of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (WWII 1939-1945), 2,490 sets;

...Ireland The Provincial Bank Of Ireland Limited - One Pound Dated 1st December 1926

Ireland - The Provincial Bank Of Ireland Limited

Currency - Pound (IEP)

This is my odd note of one pound issued by the Provincial Bank of Ireland Limited. 

The Provincial Bank of Ireland was established in 1825. In 1966, the bank, together with the Royal Bank of Ireland and the Munster & Leinster Bank merged and formed the Allied Irish Banks (AIB). AIB is considered as one of the big four commercial banks in Ireland.

One Pound

Front - The bank logo of Britannia and Hibernia sitting side by side. Below the logo is the date of 1st December 1926. There are two varieties of this series. The signatures on the note for all issued earlier are all hand-signed whilst the later ones were all printed. The signature for this note posted belonged to Hume Robertson. 

Signature - Hume Robertson

Sizes - 160mm x 92mm 

As you can see from the scan, the note that I have posted here came from the unissued reminders. There are no serial numbers printed on the note and the note has 4 rather large punched holds measuring approximately 9.2mm each in diameter. I do not understand why such a large punched hold but whoever was doing this must be having fun.

I bought this note at a local dealer out of curiosity. When I saw this note, I had no idea what it was worth nor do I have any knowledge regarding this note. This note caught my eye due to its excellent condition and for that and like most of my collection, I became blind sighted and overpaid for this note too. 

According to a website, there are at least 15 varieties for this series of notes, with the first one printed with the date of 01.08.1918. The last printed for this series was printed with that date of 01.09.1927. Also according to a website, apart from those issued for circulations, they are also printed as proofs, cancelled unissued and they are considered generally as common and a quick search on the Internet has indicated that there are plenty around.

Back - Guilloches with the bank monogram in the center. 

...Estonia - 1991 To 2006 Issues In Plastice Sleeves

Eesti

Estonia

 

Eesti Pank

Bank of Estonia (Est 1919)

Currency - Krooni (Kroon - EEK)

Below are 10 notes issued by the Bank of Estonia from 1991 to 2006. These notes were put together by the central bank in a plastic sleeve each sealed with a silver coloured label and were sold to the public individually as collectibles at a premium over the face value of the note. 

In modern history, Estonia declared independence in 1918 after the end of the First World War. The country was then occupied by the Soviet Union in June 1940 during the Second World War and Nazi Germany took it over in 1941. The Russians reclaimed the land following the defeat of the German army in 1944. The Soviet Union continued to occupy the country until the collapse of the empire in December 1991. Estonia however declared independence in August 1991. Estonia has a rather small population, around 1.40+ million people.

The notes that I have posted here are considered as the first series of banknotes issued since gaining independence from the Soviet Union. Since 1991. The central bank had issued banknotes in the values of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 500 krooni. The first series of notes were printed with the year date of 1991 and 1992 and officially released on 20.06.1992. The 1 and 2 krooni notes were printed with the year date of 1992, whilst the rest of the denominations were printed with the year dates of 1991 and 1992. Reprints were then issued over the years, with the last circulation note issued with the year date of 2007. 

The notes I have posted here are all especially put together by the central bank. These are all uncirculated notes and sold with a premium over the face value. Whilst I do not have the exact date for the release of these collectibles, it is believed that the bank commenced selling them in 2010. The reason I said this is that I got these notes in January 2011 from a collector in Estonia, and Estonia adopted the Euro currency on 01.01.2011. These are the only series of banknotes ever issued since 1991.

After adopting the Euro, the Estonia kroon ceased legal tender on 15.01.2011. The banks then allowed for the public to exchange the kroon for Euro until 31.12.2011. However, I believe you can still exchange them, but only in person at the Estonia Bank museum in Estonia. If you have any and if they are in uncirculated condition, your notes are worth much more than at face value. 

The notes that I have posted here are all in excellent condition. I believe these notes were carefully selected for these purposes and for all the 10 notes I have posted here, not a single one has that common cutting cup mark on the top or bottom edges of the note. The sleeve is partially sealed with a silver coloured tape and on the tape, the following words are printed in Estonian language: -

Eesti Pank

(Bank of Estonia)
Ringlemata Pangätaht

(Uncirculated Banknote)

As these are sold as numismatic products, these notes were sold at a premium at: -

2 Krooni - 12 Kr

5 Krooni - 15 Kr

10 Krooni - 20 Kr

50 Krooni - * 

25 Krooni - 40 Kr

100 Krooni - 120 Kr

500 Krooni - 520 Kt

Note * - I do not have the one for the 50 krooni note and as such I have no details as to what the selling price was then. I can only guess it's between 60 to 75 krooni each. It should be noted that the 50 krooni denomination was not a popular denomination as since 1991, this 50 krooni denomination was only issued once and it was printed with the year date of 1994. Like the 50 krooni, the 1 kroon was also printed once with the year date of 1992, however, I can only assume that this was due to the low denomination value, and replaced by a coin since then.

As I mentioned before, I got these 10 notes in January 2011, through exchange with a collector from Estonia at cost. In return, I provided the collector a mixture of Australian and foreign banknotes at face value. 

Two Krooni

2006

Front - The portrait of Karl Ernst Ritter von Baer Edler von Huthorn (b.1792-1876). He was a German scientist and explorer. He was born in Estonia and is considered as the founding father of embryology.

President - Andres Lipstok

Nŏukogu Esimees (Chairman of the Board) - Mart Sŏrg

Watermarks - Karl Ernst Ritter von Baer and electrotype 2

Sizes - 141.5mm x 69mm 

Back - The main building of University of Tartu. This is a public university and was established in 1632. This is the oldest and largest university in the country. This university was previously known as the  University of Dorpat. 

Five Krooni

1992

Front - Portrait of Paul Keres (b. 1916-1975). Keres was a chess grandmaster but had never won any World Chess Championship during his lifetime. Due to the circumstances of his country, and apart from representing his country in chess tournaments, he also represented the Soviet Union in the early 1940s, then the German, and then Soviet Union again after the war until his death in 1975. He died from a heart attack in Helsinki (Finland) at the age of 59 years old.

President - Siim Kallas

Nŏukogu Liigu (Council of the League) - Raimund Hagelberg

Watermark - Three lions (partially) 

Sizes - 141.5mm x 70mm 

Back - On the back, the note depicts the images of the Narva castle and Ivangorod fortress. The Narva castle (also known as Hermann Castle) was built around 1256 and is situated in the city of Narva, north-east of Estonia. The city is located at the border between Estonia and Russia and the city is divided by the Narva river. To the right is the image of the Ivangorod fortress in Ivangorod which is situated in Russian territory. The bridge that linked these two cities is called the Friendship bridge.

Ten Krooni

1991

Front - The portrait of Jakob Hurt (b.1839-1907). He was an Estonian folklorist, nationalist and theologian.

President - Siim Kallas

Nŏukogu Liigu (Council of the League) - Raimund Hagelberg

Watermark - Three lions (partially) 

Sizes - 141mm x 69.5mm 

Back - An image of the Tamme-Lauri oak tree. The Tamme-Lauri oak tree is a large common oak. The tree printed on the note is located in Antsla Parish in Voru Country (south of Estonia) and is the thickest and oldest tree in the country. This tree stands 17 meters tall and has a circumference of 831 centimeters. Over the years, this tree was repeatedly damaged by lightning strikes. This tree was reportedly planted in 1326.

Ten Krooni

1992

President - Siim Kallas

Nŏukogu Liigu (Council of the League) - Raimund Hagelberg

Watermark - Three lions (partially)  

Sizes - 141mm x 70mm 

Ten Kooni

1994

President - Siim Kallas

Nŏukogu Liigu (Council of the League) - Raimund Hagelberg

Watermark - Three lions (partially)

Sizes - 141mm x 70mm 

Ten Krooni

2006

President - Andres Lipstok

Nŏukogu Esimees (Chairman of the Board) - Mart Sŏrg 

Watermarks - Andres Lipstok and electrotype 10

Back - The serial number is printed on the back. 

Sizes - 141mm x 70mm 

Note - The serial numbers are now shifted to the back. All previous issues were printed on the front. 

Twenty Five Krooni

1992

Front - Anton Hansen-Tammsaare (b.1878-1940), was an Estonian writer. His birth name was Anton Hansen. He became famous when he wrote the pentalogy Truth and Justice, and his work was translated into French, Latvian, Czech, Finish, Polish, Hungarian and English..

President - Siim Kallas

Nŏukogu Liigu (Council of the League) - Raimund Hagelberg

Watermark - Three lions (partially)

Sizes - 141.5mm x 70mm 

Back - An image of Vargamae village. It appears that images are showing two farm houses and a barn. I have no other info to describe this design, but I quite like it. It's quite nice, and looks very natural too. 

Twenty Five Krooni

2002

President - Vahur Kraft

Nŏukogu Esimees (Chairman of the Board) - Mart Sŏrg 

Watermarks - Vahur Kraft and electrotype 25

Sizes - 140mm x 70mm 

Note - Serial numbers are printed on the back. 

One Hundred Krooni

1994

Front - Lydia Koidula (b.1843-1886). She was a well known Estonian poet. Her birth name was Lydia Emilie Florentine Jannsen and Koidula was her pen name. She is the only female to appear on this series.

President - Siim Kallas

Nŏukogu Liigu (Council of the League) - Raimund Hagelberg

Watermark - Three lions (partially) 

Sizes - 141.5mm x 69mm 

Back - Image of the Rannamoisa cliffs situated in the Rannamoisa Landscape Conservation Area. The Rannamoisa cliffs are located in the Harju Country in northern Estonia. These cliffs offer scenic views of the Baltic Sea, Kakumae Bay and the Tallinn coastline.

One Hundred Krooni

1999

President - Vahur Kraft

Nŏukogu Esimees (Chairman of the Board) - Mart Sŏrg 

Watermarks - Lydia Koidula and electrotype 100 

Sizes - 141mm x 70mm 

Five Hundred Krooni

1996

Front - Karl Robert Jakobson (b.1841-1882), a writer, publisher, politician, teacher and a promoter of agriculture.

President - Vahur Kraft

Nŏukogu Esimees (Chairman of the Board) - Uno Mereste

Watermark - Three lions (partially) 

Sizes - 141mm x 70mm 

Back - An image of a Barn swallow in flight on a beautiful landscape background. To me, this is one of the most beautiful notes designed for this series.

Below is a list of banknotes issued for this series: -

1 kroon note (1992 issue) 

2 krooni note (1992 issue) 

5 krooni note (1991, 1992, 1994 issues) 

10 krooni note (1991, 1992, 1994 issues) 

25 krooni note (1991, 1992, 2002 issues) 

50 krooni note (1994 issue) 

100 krooni note (1991, 1992, 1994, 1999 issues) 

500 krooni note (1991, 1994, 1996, 2000 issues)

...Scotland, The Royal Bank of Scotland - One Pound dated 01.05.1981

Alba

Scotland

The Royal Bank of Scotland Limited (RBS)
(Founded 1727, First issuing banknotes on 08.12.1727)

Currency : Pound Sterling (GBP)

 

Here is the only ₤1 note of the 1981 series I have in my collection. This note belongs to the Scottish castles series. The design for this Edinburgh was first introduced in 1969 with the ₤5 note. In 1970, the bank issued another ₤5 note with the same theme and design but with different colours. In 1972, it released a full set of banknotes all depicting different Scottish castles on the back. Since then, the bank went on and issued the Castle series, albeit different designs, until 2017. However, despite releasing banknotes featuring various Scottish castles, the bank ceased issuing the ₤1 note after the 2001 series. 

 

In my opinion, the Castle series is the best series of banknotes ever designed by the Royal Bank of Scotland's banknotes issued. The designs are simple, beautiful, and more importantly, they are not overcrowded with all kinds of features.

 

One Pound

 

Front - The Coat of Arms printed on the center right. The design for the Coat of Arms featuring a horse and a deer holding onto a shield. On top of the shield is a ribbon with the word 'FIRM' printed on it. It is believed this Coat of Arms was first developed in 1960 and only appeared on the 1966 banknote series. The bank ceased using this Coat Arms when the first polymer series was introduced in 2016. Since then, the bank has used the bank logo Daisy Wheel instead. It should be noted that the Daisy Wheel logo was first used in the 1971 series.

 

Signature - John B Burke

Dated - 1 May 1981

Watermark - Image of Adam Smith

Dimensions - mm x mm

 

Back - A bird-eye view of Edinburgh Castle. This castle was first built in the 11th century. Edinburgh castle is located on top of Castle Rock. This is a historical castle and was once the royal residence. Later it was then turned into an arsenal, a treasury, a national archive, a mint, a prison and a military fortress. Whilst this castle had gone through many conflicts over the past few centuries, today it is well known to the world for its annual Edinburgh festival for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo parade. No doubt this historical castle is a tourist attraction in the city of Edinburgh and each year attracts more than 2.0+ million visitors from all over the world.