Argentina

Argentina 10 Pesos 1976 VG
Front: Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano / Gral.BELGRANO
Back: Cataratas Del Iguazu

Numismatics

Belgrano appears in an important number of currencies in the numismatic history of Argentina. He had appeared for the first time in the Peso Ley 18.188, in the banknotes of 1, 5 and 10 pesos. He was later included in the 10.000 pesos banknotes of the pesos argentinos, the highest banknote value in circulation. The Australes had chosen a number of procers that did not include Belgrano, but later the 10.000 pesos argentinos banknotes were allowed to be used as australes. The Peso, modern currency of Argentina, includes Belgrano in the banknotes of 10 pesos. The 1997 and 2002 series only modified small details.



Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano, usually referred to as Manuel Belgrano (3 June 1770 – 20 June 1820) was an Argentine economist, lawyer, politician, and military leader, born in Buenos Aires, the fourth child of the Italian businessman Domingo Belgrano y Peri and Josefa Casero. He took part in the Argentine Wars of Independence and created the Flag of Argentina.

Belgrano was a notable member of the criollo population of Buenos Aires, and worked for its emancipation from Spain. At first he promoted the aspirations of Carlota Joaquina to became the rule of the viceroyalty, but without success. With other criollos he promoted the May Revolution, removing the viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros from power, as was elected as member of the Primera Junta that took power after him. He was chosen as commander of the Army of the North and, despite being defeated by the Spanish forces, he paved the way for the independence of Paraguay in 1811. In 1812 he created the flag of Argentina near the city of Rosario, and directed the exodus of Jujuy, that lead to the victories against the royalists in the battles of Salta and Tucuman. He took part of the Congress of Tucuman, promoting the idea to establish a monarchy with an Inca king, but didn't get enough support. He died on 20 June 1820.

Information and Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Peru

Peru 5000 Intis 1988 UNC
Front: Miguel Grau
Back: Fisherman

Miguel María Grau Seminario 27 July 1834 - 8 October 1879) was a renowned Peruvian naval officer and hero of the Naval Battle of Angamos during the War of the Pacific (1879-1884). He was known as the el Caballero de los Mares (Spanish for "Knight of the Seas") for his chivalry and is esteemed by both Peruvians and Chileans. He is an iconic figure for the Peruvian Navy, and one of the most famous military leaders of the Americas.
Information and Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nigeria

Nigeria 1 Naira AUNC
Front: Herbert Macauley 1864-1946
Back: Mask

Herbert Samuel Heelas Macaulay (November 14, 1864—May 7, 1946) was a Nigerian nationalist, politician, engineer, journalist, and musician and considered by many Nigerians as the founder of Nigerian nationalism. Macaulay was born in Lagos on November 14, 1864. He was the grandson of bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and the son of the founder of the first secondary school in Nigeria. After going to a Christian missionary school, he took a job as a clerk at the Lagos Department of Public Works. From 1891 to 1894 he studied civil engineering in Plymouth, England. On his return, he worked for the Crown as a land inspector. He left his position in 1898 due to growing distaste for Nigeria's position as a British colony.

Information Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oman

Oman 100 Baisa 1995
Front: H. M. Sultan Qaboos bin Said and a falaj
Back: Wildlife, including an oryx.

Qaboos bin Said Al Said born 18 November 1940 in Salalah is the Sultan of Oman. He rose to power after overthrowing his father, Sa‘id ibn Taymur, in a palace coup in 1970. He is the 14th descendant of the Al Bu Sa‘idi dynasty. He received his primary and secondary education in Salalah and at Pune, India and attended a private educational establishment in England from the age of sixteen. At 20 he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. After graduating from Sandhurst, he joined a British Infantry regiment, The Cameronians, and served in the 1st Battalion in Germany for one year. He also held a staff appointment with the British Army.


In 1976 Qaboos ibn Sa‘id married his cousin, Kamila, née Sayyidah Nawwal bint Tariq (born 1951), daughter of HH Sayyid Tariq ibn Taymur, soon ended in divorce. He is an avid fan and promoter of classical music.

Oman
According to UNESCO some 3,000 qanat systems, called Aflaj (plural) of Falaj (singular), are still in use in Oman today. Nizwa, the former capital city of Oman, was built around a falaj which is in use to this day. In July 2006, five representative examples of this irrigation system were inscribed as a World Heritage Site.

Information and Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nepal

Nepal 5 Rupees
Front: King Birendra, Goddess Taleju Temple
Back: Yaks

Nepal's stability was threatened even more when Birendra and most of his family (including Queen Aiswarya) were massacred at a royal dinner on 1 June 2001. However published reports from eyewitnesses and the results of an investigation carried by a two man committee made up of the Chief of the Supreme Court Keshav Prasad Upadhaya and the speaker of the House of Representatives Taranath Ranabhat, confirmed his eldest son and heir, Dipendra, was the gunman. There is some speculation that Gyanendra was behind a conspiracy. The motive given for Dipendra's actions were a clash with his mother over his wish to marry Devyani Rana. Dipendra also had a history of alcohol and illegal drugs abuse and had also suffered from depression in the past. Dipendra was proclaimed king but died a few days later of self inflicted gunshot wounds. Birendra's brother, Gyanendra, then became King.

Late King Birendra was born at the Narayanhity Royal Palace in Kathmandu as the eldest son of the then Crown Prince Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and his wife Crown Princess Indra Rajya Laxmi.

Late King Birendra was the first Nepalese monarch to receive a formal education. He spent eight years studying at St Joseph's College a Jesuit school in Darjeeling, India. On 13 March 1955 his grandfather King Tribhuvan died and his father succeeded to the Nepalese throne. With his father's ascension Birendra became the Crown Prince of Nepal.

In 1959 Late King Birendra enrolled at Eton College in the United Kingdom. After studying at Eton until 1964 he returned to Nepal where he began to explore the country by travelling incognito to remote parts of the country where he lived on whatever was available in the villages and monasteries. He later completed his education by spending some time at the University of Tokyo before studying political theory at Harvard University from 1967 to 1968. Late King Birendra enjoyed to travel in his youth and went on trips to Canada, Latin America, Africa and a number of Asian countries. He was also an art collector and supporter of Nepalese crafts people and artists. He also learnt to fly helicopters.

Birendra was married to Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Rana from the Rana family on 27 February 1970. The wedding which was billed as one of the most lavish Hindu nuptial ceremonies in history cost $9.5 million to stage. Birendra and Aishwaraya had three children.

* Prince Dipendra (27 June 1971 – 4 June 2001)
* Princess Shruti (15 October 1976 – 1 June 2001)
* Prince Nirajan (6 November 1977–1 June 2001)



Taleju temple in Kathamandu was constructed in 1564 by the King Mahendra Malla. This temple is totally devoted to Taleju, a type of the goddess Durga. The Taleju temple is one of the most well known temples out of the three Taleju temples construted by the Malla kings. Apart, Kathamandu, the other two Taleju Temples are in Bhaktapur and Patan.

Information and Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, kathamanduhotels.org

Myanmar

Myanmar 1kyat 1990 UNC
Front: Bogyoke (General) Aung San (13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947)
Back: Dragon carving

Bogyoke (General) Aung San 13 February 1915 – 19 July 1947) was a Burmese revolutionary, nationalist, and founder of the modern Burmese army, the Tatmadaw.

He was instrumental in bringing about Burma's independence from British colonial rule, but was assassinated six months before its final achievement. He is recognized as the leading architect of independence, and the founder of the Union of Burma. Affectionately known as "Bogyoke" (General), Aung San is still widely admired by the Burmese people, and his name is still invoked in Burmese politics to this day.

Aung San was the father of Nobel Peace laureate and opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Read more

Information Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Poland

Poland 50 Zloyth 1988 UNC
Front: Karol Swierczewski (22 February 1897 till 28 March 1947)
Back:

This is an obsolete 50 złoty banknote of the People's Republic of Poland with the face of Karol Świerczewski.

Karol Świerczewski was a Pole who became a Soviet military officer and a general. He served as a general in the service of the Soviet Union, Republican Spain and the Polish Provisional Government of National Unity after World War II. Read more

Srilanka, Sacred City of Anuradhapura, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sri Lanka 500 Rupees 2005 UNC
Front: Kandy dancer; stylised dragon; Kandy drummers
Back: Thuparamaya Dagaba(Stupa in Anuradhapura)

Thuparama Continuing north from the Jethawana Dagaba, turn left at the crossroads to the site's oldest dagaba to house the right collar-bone of the Buddha. Built by Devanampiyathissa, the 19m high dagaba has retained its beautiful bell shape, despite restoration work, It is surrounded by concentric circles of a graceful granite monolithic pillars of a Vatadage which was added in the 7th Century, possibly originally design to support an over-arching thatched cover. It is a center of active pilgrimage, decorated with flags and light. Immediately to its north-east was the original Dalada Maligawa where the Tooth Relic was first enshrined when it was brought to Ceylon in AD 313. Chinese traveler monk Fahian gave a vivid description of its display, but only the stone columns remain
The THUPARAMA Dagoba situated north of the Ruwanweli Seya.
This is the first stupa (dagaba) built in Sri Lanka.

King Devanampiyatissa erected this in the 3rd Century B.C After Buddhism was introduced by Arehath Mahinda Himi.

Thuparama was in ruins in In the 7th century and restored, and a Vatadage was added. The concentric stone pillars standing right round the Stupa are the reaming of the old Vatadage. Information and Image Obtained from mysrilanka.com

Thuparama dagaba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Inmage Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone 500 Leones 1991 G
Front: Joseph Saidu Momoh (January 26, 1937 – August 3, 2003)
Back: Ships

Mozambique

Mozambique 100 Meticais 1989 AUNC
Front: Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane, June 20, 1920, to February 3, 1969
Back: Ceromony

Iran

Iran 200 Rials 1982 UNC
Front:Mosque
Back: Farmers

China, The 5th Series was issued on October 1, 1999

China 1 Yuan 1999 VG
Front: Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung)


Mao Zedong (Mao Tse-tung) About this sound pronunciation (help·info) (December 26, 1893 – September 9, 1976) was a Chinese revolutionary, political theorist and Communist leader. He led the People's Republic of China (PRC) from its establishment in 1949 until his death in 1976. His theoretical contribution to Marxism-Leninism, military strategies, and his brand of Communist policies are now collectively known as Maoism.

Mao remains a controversial figure to this day, with a contentious and ever-evolving legacy. He is officially held in high regard in China as a great revolutionary, political strategist, military mastermind, and savior of the nation. Many Chinese[quantify] also believe that through his policies, he laid the economic, technological and cultural foundations of modern China, transforming the country from an agrarian society into a major world power. Additionally, Mao is viewed by many[who?] as a poet, philosopher, and visionary, owing the latter primarily to the cult of personality fostered during his time in power.[1] As a consequence, his portrait continues to be featured prominently on Tiananmen and on all Renminbi bills. Read more

Indonesia-Batch 1992-1995

Indonesia 20,000 Rupiah 1995 VF
Front: Red Bird of Paradise(Cenderawasih Merah)
Back: Paradise Clove flower(Cengkeh), map of Indonesia

1992 saw a complete overhaul of all denominations of notes for the first time since 1968. In addition, a new top denomation, 20,000 rupiah note was added, with a US$ value of approximately $10 at the time. This was the first new denomination of the 'new rupiah' since the 10,000 rupiah had been issued in April 1970 (then worth about US$26). From this issue forwards, Indonesian notes have carried in small text in the note border the year of printing; the most conspicuous date on the note is still the date of authority (e.g., "Direksi 1992"). Read more

Malaysia Second Series (b)

Malaysia 50 Ringgit 1986 VF
Front: Tuanku Abdul Rahman (1895-1960)Bapa Malaysia
Back: National Museum in Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia

Front: Tuanku Abdul Rahman (1895-1960)Bapa Malaysia

Born Tunku Abdul Rahman at Seri Menanti, he was the second son of Tuanku Muhammad ibni Almarhum Tuanku Antah, first Yang di-Pertuan Besar of modern Negeri Sembilan and seventh Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti (1888-1933) by his consort Tunku Puan Chik.

He received his primary education at the Jempol Malay School, going on to the Malay College between 1907 and 1914. He worked at the Federal Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur for a period of one year before being appointed Assistant Collector of Land Revenue in Seremban. He served in the Malayan Volunteer Infantry as a Second Lieutenant, to be promoted Lieutenant in 1918.

On the death of his elder brother, Tunku Abdul Aziz, in 1917, he was groomed as heir to the throne and received the title of Tunku Muda Serting.

Tuanku Abdul Rahman was later appointed as Assistant Malay Officer in Klang before being transferred to Sepang. He was then assigned to work in Ulu Selangor as Assistant Collector of Land Revenue. As a result of his perseverance and diligence, he was promoted to Assistant District Officer. The turning point of his career was in 1925, when he served for a short period in the Kuala Lumpur Supreme Court.

In 1925, he accompanied his father, who was then the ruler of Negeri Sembilan, on a trip to the United Kingdom for the British Empire Exhibition in Wembley and to visit His Majesty King George V. During the journey to the United Kingdom, he decided that he wanted to study law. With the approval of his father Tuanku Muhammad, Tuanku Abdul Rahman stayed in the United Kingdom until he completed his studies and received a degree in law.

He stayed on to qualify as a barrister from Inner Temple. Three years later, he was admitted to the bar. In London, he was elected first President of the Kesatuan Melayu United Kingdom, one of the earliest Malay nationalist groups.

Upon returning to Malaya in December 1928, he served in the Malayan Civil Service in various parts of the country. For the first few years, he worked hard until he became a Magistrate. Subsequently, he was appointed District Officer. Read more

Morocco

Morocco 10 Dirham 1970 VF
Front: Hassan II, born in Morocco, was the 21st Monarch of the Alaouite Dynasty. He received his early education in Morocco, and studied Law at the University of Bordeaux in France. He became King of Morocco upon the death of his father, King Mohammed V.

Mongolia

Mongolia 1 Tugrik 1955 UNC
Front: Damdin Sükhbaatar, February 2, 1893 to 20 February 1923 (aged 30)


was a Mongolian military leader in the 1921 revolution. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in Mongolia's struggle for independence. Sükhbaatar (literally meaning "Axe hero" in the Mongolian language) was born in Maimaicheng (the Chinese trading settlement some kilometers east of Ikh Khüree) as third of four children. His parents had deserted their home banner in Setsen Khan aimag, and his father lived from odd jobs and as a day labourer. When Sükhbaatar was six, the family moved to a place near the Russian consulate. It was from playing with the Russian children that he learnt to speak some Russian. At the age of 14, Sükhbaatar had the lucky opportunity to get an education, by Zaisan Jamyan. From the age of 16 onwards, he worked as a proxy Öörtöö rider (at that time, people that were obliged to render certain services to the authorities often employed other people to replace them) for several years. After Mongolia's first declaration of independence in 1911, Sükhbaatar was drafted into the new nation's army. In early 1923, amid official suspicions that a coup was planned for Tsagaan Sar, the state of alert became too exhausting for Sükhbaatar. He broke down on the night of February 14th/15th, and died on February 20th. In the 1940s under Choibalsan's reign, it was alleged that Sükhbaatar had been poisoned, but later socialist publications did not explicitly discuss Sükhbaatar's cause of death. Nonetheless, this version is still somewhat popular in Mongolia. Read more


Mongolian postage stamp of 1932 showing Sükhbaatar

Information and Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mozambique

Mozambique 50 Meticais 1986 UNC

Mexico

Mexico 100 Pesos 1981 UNC
Front: Venustiano Carranza, painting by Jose Clemente Orozco
Back: Tula, Hidalgo Chac Mool statue at Chichen Itza

The Chac-Mool depicts a human figure in a position of reclining with the head up and turned to one side, holding a tray over the stomach. The meaning of the position or the statue itself remains unknown. Chac-Mool statues are found in or around temples in Toltec , in post-Classic Maya civilization sites with heavy Toltec influence, such as Chichen Itza. Chac-Mools can be found throughout Central Mexico and Yucatán. In addition to Tula and Chichen Itza, sites known for Chac-Mools include Mexico City, Cempoala, Tlaxcala, and Quiriguá in Guatemala. Read more

Venustiano Carranza de la Garza (December 29, 1859 – May 21, 1920) was one of the leaders of the Mexican Revolution. He ultimately became President of Mexico following the overthrow of the dictatorial Huerta regime in the summer of 1914 and during his administration the current constitution of Mexico was drafted. He was assassinated near the end of his term of office at the behest of a cabal of army generals resentful at his insistence that his successor be a civilian.


President Carranza in Piedras Negras, Coahuila in 1915.

Bernardo Reyes (1850-1913), Porfirio Díaz's "man in the north". Carranza formed a personal friendship with Reyes, and Reyes' patronage was responsible for Carranza's election to the Mexican Congress in 1898. Information and Image Obtained From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Madagascar

Madagascar 500 Francs unc ND (1994)
Front Design: Young woman, Sun palm, village
Back Design: Herdsmen, cattle, village