Biafran pound

The Biafran pound was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1968 and 1970.

Biafran pound
Denominations
Superunit
 1/20shilling
 1/240penny
Symbol£
Banknotes5/-, 10/-, £1, £5, £10
Coins3d, 6d, 1/-, 2/6
Demographics
User(s)Biafra
Issuance
Central bankBank of Biafra
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.
Biafran 2½ shilling coin from 1969 of aluminium, reverse.
Biafran 2½ shilling coin from 1969 of aluminium, obverse.

The first notes denominated in 5 shillings and £1 were introduced on January 29, 1968.[1] A series of coins was issued in 1969; 3 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling and 2½ shilling coins were minted, all made of aluminium. In February 1969, a second family of notes was issued in denominations of 5 and 10 shillings, £1, £5 and £10. Despite not being recognised as currency by the rest of the world when they were issued, the banknotes were afterwards sold as curios (typically at 2/6 (=.0125 GBP) for 1 pound notes in London philately/notaphily shops) and are now traded among banknote collectors at well above their original nominal value.


Biafran pound was introduced three years after civil in Nigeria [2]

The most common note is the 1968 and 1969 1 pound notes, with the £10 note and all coins being rare.

Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1968 "First" issue)
ImageValueObverseReverse
5/-Palm tree over a rising sunFour Biafran girls
£1Palm tree over a rising sunCoat of arms of Biafra
Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1969 "Second" issue)
ImageValueObverseReverse
5/-Palm tree over a rising sunFour Biafran girls
10/-Palm tree over a rising sunOil refinery
£1Palm tree over a rising sunCoat of arms of Biafra
£5Palm tree over a rising sunA female weaver
£10Palm tree over a rising sunA male carver

See also

References
  1. Linzmayer, Owen (2011). "Biafra". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: www.BanknoteNews.com. Retrieved 2011-08-21.
  2. "Biafra Currency". www.biafraland.com. Retrieved 2020-12-19.


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