...Yugoslavia - ND1990 Partisan Monuments Issue Of Three Notes P101-102

The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia

(Founded 1918 to 1992 - Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia)

 

The National Bank of Yugoslavia (Est'd.1920 to 2003)

Currency - Dinar/Dinara (YUD)

 

Here are the three notes of 50, 100 (unissued) and 200 dinara. These three notes series are referred to as the 1990 Partisan Monuments series. However, only two notes were released for circulation, but not the 100 dinara note printed with the portrait of Marshal Josip Broz Tito. 

The 50 and 200 dinara are relatively considered as cheap notes and there is no shortage in supply at the moment. However, the 100 dinara with the portrait of Marshal Josip Broz Titois is not. As this note was printed and was not released for circulation, some of these notes appeared in the market and they are just selling quite expensive. It was not my initial intention to get this note but in order to complete a series, I have no choice but to buy one instead. 

This series was issued as the currency reform series replacing the previous 1985-1989 hyperinflation series. In this series, the highest denomination value issued was 2,000,000 dinara. The conversion for this currency reform series was 1:10,000 dinara. Following this series, a full series of five notes with denominations of 10 to 1,000 dinara were issued with all printed with full date in 1990. These notes were with the dates of March, June, September and November 1990. 

Fifty Dinara 

 

Front - Coat of Arms, Dusan Dzamonja's Monument to the Revolution in Kozara National Park in the Republic of Srpska. Battle of Kozara WW2 (10.06.1942 to 17.07.1942) 68,500 Yugoslav partisan fighters killed.  battle located at Mrakovica. Started 1969 and completed 1971 Issued 03.01.1990, withdrew 31.03.1991.

 

Signatures

Governor - Dušan Vlatković (tenure 1997-2000)

Deputy Governor - Mitja Gaspari

Date - 1.I 1990

Watermark - N/A

Sizes - 146mm x 75mm

Back - The Partisan Monument of Yugoslavia (Sutjeska). This monument was erected to commemorate the Battle of Sutjeska which was fought from May to June 1943 against the Nazi invasion army during World War II. The Yugoslavia Communist Partisans was led by Josip Broz Tito and the battle was fought in the town of Sutjeska in southeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina near the borders with Montenegro and Serbia. The Partisan Monument is a concrete sculpture symbolising Partisan breakthrough during World War II. The design features two massive wing look-alike structures. In the middle is an outline map of Yugoslavia. In the background is an outline map of Yugoslavia. 

 

One Hundred Dinara (Unissued)

 

This is an unissued note. This note was proof designed in 1979 and was intended to issue in 1990, which did not eventuate. I am not sure why this note was not issued, but I can guess that following the death of Marshal Josip Broz Tito in 1980, the country went through economic crises, rising nationalism and political tensions among its members which let to Yugoslav Wars started in June 1991 when both Croatia and Slovenia declared independent. Yugoslavia was established as a Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes right after the end of the First World War in 1918, and in 1946 Tito's government established the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia with the six members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia. By April 1992, all six republics went their separate way. 

Front - The portrait of Marshal Josip Broz Tito (b.1892-1980). To many, he was simply just referred to as Tito. Tito was born to a Croat father and a Slovene mother. During his lifetime, he was a communist revolutionary, a politician, a war time resistance (against the Nazi occupation during World War II), a Prime Minister (tenure 1945-1963) and President (tenure 1953-1980) until his death in 1980 at the old age of 88. To the West, he was considered more pro-west than the Soviet Union leadership, and had met many leaders around the world, including the United States, China and the United Kingdom. The late Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited Yugoslavia in 1972. When he died, 129 leaders from around the world attended his funeral. At that time, it was considered as the largest state funeral ever held in history for a leader of a country. This record was later broken by the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.

Personally, I find his portrait looks very serious or not happy, imitating and like he is staring at you and waiting to pound on you with many questions. This is the first banknote designed with Tito's portrait. In 1985, a 5000 dinara note was issued with his portrait on it, thus making him appear on this banknote for the first time, despite being in power from 1945 to 1980.

One interesting fact about Tito is that during his leadership as President of Yugoslavia, he managed to hold all six socialist republics together and ruled it as President of Yugoslavia. These six socialist republics were Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia until it all went pear shaped in 1992. Like they say, good things never last forever or is it the other way round? That would be depending on which side of the fence you are sitting on. There is no right or wrong answer here, only opinions, and I am sure we all have plenty in our mind!

In the middle are nine billowing flags.

Signature - Governor Ksente Bogoev (tenure 1977-1981).

Unlike the 50 and 200 dinara, this note is only printed with one signature and not two.

Date - nd1990

Watermark - N/A

Sizes - 145mm x 75mm

Back - The Partisan Monument of Yugoslavia (Sutjeska). This monument was erected to commemorate the Battle of Sutjeska which was fought from May to June 1943 against the Nazi invasion during World War II. The Yugoslavia Communist Partisans was led by Josip Broz Tito and the battle was fought in the town of Sutjeska in southeastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina near the borders with Montenegro and Serbia.The Partisan Monument is a concrete sculpture symbolising Partisan breakthrough during World War II. The design features two massive wing look-alike structures. In the background is an outline map of Yugoslavia.

Two Hundred Dinara

Front - Coat of Arms, Dusan Dzamonja's Monument to the Revolution in Kozara National Park in the Republic of Srpska. Battle of Kozara WW2 (10.06.1942 to 17.07.1942) 68,500 Yugoslav partisan fighters killed.  battle located at Mrakovica. Started 1969 and completed 1971 Issued 03.01.1990, withdrew 31.03.1991.

Signatures

Governor - Dušan Vlatković (tenure 1997-2000)

Deputy Governor - Mitja Gaspari

Date - 1.I 1990

Watermark - N/A

Sizes - 145mm x 70mm

Back - The Partisan monument 'V3' located at Sumarice Memorial Park in Kragujevac, Serbia. This monument was dedicated to the students and teachers from class V3 of the First Kragujevac Grammar School who were executed by the Nazi forces on 21 October 1941. The 'V3' is refers to the 5th-grade, 3rd-form class of grammar school boys who were taken directly from their classrooms and murdered by the Nazi Force. Officially, this monument is named the Monument to the Executed Students and Professors. It is also known as Interrupted Fight or Broken Wings. The monument was erected in 1963. It is reported that about 2,794 victims of students and teachers died in this incident.

...Transnistria - A full set of Specimen Notes BB 0000000 One To 500 Rubles

Република Молдовеняскэ Нистрянэ

Приднестровская Молдавская Республика

(Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic)

 

Transnistrian Republican Bank, Est.1992

Currency : Ruble (RUP)

 

Here is a full set of 8 specimen notes all dated 2012. The notes posted here are the 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 and 500 rubles. All notes are printed with the Russian word 'ОБPA3EЦ'. I believe this word means 'Sample' or 'Specimen'. This word is printed on the front and back of each note.

 

Whilst these specimen notes have no negotiable values for goods and services rendered, in reality, Transnistria is not a recognised country by the United Nations, and therefore it's rubles are also not negotiable outside its territory too. Apart from Russia, to the rest of the world, Transnistria is considered as part of Moldova.

Like all other Transnistrian banknotes issued, there are no signatures printed on the notes. All notes are also printed with the same serial numbers of BB 0000000.

One Ruble

 

Watermark - Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2007/2012

Dimensions - 130mm x 56.5mm

 

Front - 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 the fourth Generalissimo of Russia.

 

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 invasion during the Second World War in 1944. Chitcani is situated north of Tiraspol, the capital city of Transnistria.

Five Rubles

 

Watermark - Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2007/2012

Dimensions - 130mm x 56.5mm

 

Back - KVINT Distillery administrative building in Tiraspol. KVIT is a winery and distillery company founded in 1897. The distillery initially only produced vodka and in 1938 , it started producing brandies as well. The KVINT is the oldest and still operating commercial enterprise in Transnistria.

Ten Rubles

 

Watermark - Alexander Vassilyevich Suvorov and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2007/2012

Dimensions - 130mm x 56.5mm

 

Back - The Nova Nemetsky monastery in Kitskansk. This monastery was built around 1914 (completed) and is located in the center of the village of Kitskansk. The monastery consists of four churches; the Holy Ascension Cathedral; Assumption Church; St. Nicholas; and the Holy Cross Church.

Twenty Five Rubles

 

Watermark - Catherine the Great and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2007/2012

Dimensions - 130mm x 56.5mm

 

Back - The Russian Glory monument for the 55th Podolsky Regiment in Bender, near Tiraspol. This monument was built to commemorate the Russian army defeating the Napoleon army in 1812.

 

 

Fifty Rubles

 

Watermark - Taras Grigoryyevich Shevchenko and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2007/2012

Dimensions - 130mm x 60mm

 

Front - A portrait of Taras Grigoryyevich Shevchenko (b.1814-1861) was a Ukrainian poet, writer, artist and political figure.

 

Back - The Transnistria Parliament building in Tiraspol. This building is called the Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.This is an unicameral legislature with 33 seats.

 

One Hundred Rubles

 

Watermark - Dimitrie Cantemir and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2007/2012

Dimensions - 130mm x 60.5mm

 

Front - Dimitrie Cantemir (b.1673-1723). Dimitrie Cantemir was a Romanian and became the Prince of Moldavia for about one month in 1693 and then again from 1710 to 1711). During the conflict with the Ottoman, he sided with the Russian and following hie defeat, he was forced into exile. He died at the age of 49 at the Russian border town of Dmitrovsky.

 

Back - The Church of the Nativity in Tiraspol. This is a Russian Orthodox church and was built in 1999. This church is also known as the Cathedral of the Birth of Christ and also the largest church in the capital city, Tiraspol.

 

 

Two Hundred Rubles

 

Watermark - Piotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev-Sadunayskiy and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2004/2012

Dimensions - 136mm x 64mm

 

Front - Piotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev-Sadunayskiy (b.1725-1796). Piotr Rumyantsev was a Russian general and served under the reign of the Russian Empress, Catherine the Great. He was considered as one of the greatest Russian generals of the 18th century.

 

Back - A sense of the Battle of Egersdorf in the Seven Years War in 1757, showing the advancing Russian army in a battle field. The war was fought against the Prussian army.

 

 

 

Five Hundred Rubles

 

Watermark - Catherine the Great and electrotype ПРБ

Series - 2004/2012

Dimensions - 141mm x 68.5mm

 

Front - A portrait of Catherine the Great. She was born as Princess Sophia Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst in 1729 and died in 1796. Both her parents were German princes and princesses. She overthrew her husband, Peter III (Peter III Fyodorovich, Emperor of Russia, b.1728-1762) to become the Empress of Russia in 1762. Her husband was only accessed to the Russian throne for just over 6 months before he was overthrown. She went on and served as the Empress of Russian for 34 years until her death at age 67.

 

Back - In the center is the Tiraspol fortress of 1826. The Tiraspol fortress was built by the Ottoman in the 16th century. For many years, this fortress was occupied by the Russian army and was off limits to the public. Today this fortress is open to the public and is one of the tourist attractions in Tiraspol. To the left is a scroll.

 

...Scotland, Clydesdale Bank Limited - £1 Dated 1974

Alba / Scotland

Clydesdale Bank Limited

(Founded 1838, First issuing banknotes on 07.05.1838)

Currency : Pound Sterling (GBP)

This is one odd note of £1 I have in my collection that was printed with the date of 1st March 1974 and signed by A R MacMillian as Chief General Manager. I am unable to find out what the initials "A R" stand for. The condition of this note is heavily circulated and I have no recollection as to how I got this note in the first place. It is most likely that I got this as a change, but I can't confirm this. This £1 note was issued between 1971 to 1981 and unfortunately this is the only piece I have in my collections.

The design on the back depicts the scene of the Battle of Bannockburn which was fought on 23rd and 24th of June 1314 between Robert the Bruce against the invading army of King Edward ll of England. The battle was won by Robert the Bruce and today the National Trust of Scotland operates the Bannockburn Visitor Center where the battle was believed to be fought to commemorate this famous victory.

One Pound

Dated 1974, King of Scots Robert the Bruce

Reverse - Battle of Bannockburn

...Great Britain - 20 Pounds (nd)2025 s. Chief Cashier Ms Victoria Mary Florence Cleland

Great Britain

(United Kingdom - England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland)

 

Bank of England (Est. 1694)

Currency - Pound Sterling (GBP)

 

Here, I have the ₤20 polymer note with the portrait of King Charles the Third first issued on 05.06.2024. The note that I have here is the reprint of the nd2024 series, but with the Chief Cashier signature of Victoria Mary Florence Cleland. It is believed that this reprint note was issued in (nd)2025.

It is interesting to know that this is Victoria Cleland second time appointment to the Bank of England as the Chief Cashier role. She replaced Sarah John, who is now the bank's Chief Operating Officer. Victoria Cleland first served as the Chief Cashier from March 2014 to June 2018. During that time, her signature appeared on the ₤10, ₤20 and ₤50 paper banknotes and then the ₤5 and ₤10 polymer notes first series. All these notes carried the portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth the Second (b.1926-2022). Now she is back again as the bank's Chief Cashier and she was reappointed in March 2025. There is no fixed term for the Bank of England Chief Cashier position. The Chief Cashier position was first established by the bank in 1694, and since then, I believe that Victoria Cleland is the only person that has been appointed to this role more than once.

This is the only note issued with the signature of Victoria Cleland for this King Charles polymer series, and hopefully more to come when reprints for the other denominations to be issued at a later date, if required.

  

Twenty Pounds

 

Front - Portrait of King Charles III who became the King of the United Kingdom following the death of mother, Queen Elizabeth II on 08.09.2022. Coronation was held on 06.05.2023. The last series of polymer notes bearing the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II were released between 2016 to 2021. There are three transparent windows on the note. The one to the left has the face of King Charles. Next to it is the Margate Lighthouse (Kent) in gold foil alongside the Turner Contemporary gallery. To the far right is a window from the ruins of Tintern Abbey. Printed in the center of the note is the Bank of England headquarters which is located on Threadneedle Street in London. Above this are the four shields representing the United Kingdom (L-R) - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Signature - Victoria Mary Florence Cleland (Chief Cashier since March 2025)

Watermark - King Charles III on the see-through window

Dimensions - 139.5mm x 73mm

Back - An image of Joseph Mallord William Turner (b.1775-1851) with a backdrop of one of his famous paintings, the Fighting Temeraire. This oil painting was completed in 1838. The portrait William Turner printed on this note came from a self-portrait oil painting completed in around 1799. William Turner was a romantic painter, printmaker and watercolourist. He was born and lived in London all his life.

...Poland - 10 And 20 Zlotych 2025 Reprints

Rzeczpospolita Polska
(Republic of Poland)

Naradowy Bank Polski
(National Bank of Poland, Est.1945)
Currency - Zloty (PLN)

 

Below are the two notes of 10 and 20 zlotych both printed with the year date of 2025. These are reprints of the current series, first introduced in 2012.

 

Ten Zlotych 

Duke Mieszko I (b.930-992)

Front - Duke Mieszko I (b.930-992) was Duke of Poland from 960 until his death in 992. He founded the first unified Polish state, the Civitas Schinesghe. He was also the first Christian ruler of Poland.

Previous issues were dated 05.01.2012 and 15.09.2016 

Signatures

President (Prezes) - Adam Glapiński

Chief Treasurer (Główny Skarbnik) - Barbara Jaroszek 

Date - 30 Stycznia 2025 r. 

Watermarks - Duke Mieszko and electrotype 10

Sizes - 120mm x 60mm

Back - An image of a Silver Denar (denarius). The Silver Denar was the first form of tangible Polish currency, circulating from the 10th century. The coin was initially minted from silver featuring various Polish rulers.
 

Silver Denar (denarius)

 

Twenty Zlotych 

Front - King Boleslaw I Chrobey (the Brave) wearing a crown on his head.

Previous issues were dated 05.01.2012 and 15.09.2016 

Signatures

President (Prezes) - Adam Glapiński

Chief Treasurer (Główny Skarbnik) - Barbara Jaroszek 

Date - 19 Marca 2025 r. 

Watermarks - King Boleslaw I Chrobey and electrotype 20

Sizes - 126.5mm x 63mm

Back - An image of a Silver Denar (denarius) coin.