...Bolivia - No Value 200th Year of Independence 1825-2025

State of Bolivia

Banco Central De Bolivia

(Central Bank of Bolivia

Currency - Boliviano (BOB)

This is a commemorative polymer note (no value) released in early August 2025 celebrating the country's 200 years of independence 1825-2025. Whilst this is a commemorative note issued by Banco Central De Bolivia, it has no value printed on it and as such is not a legal tender banknote. 

The struggle of independence for Bolivia first started in 1809, and since then the country went through many revolutions and were all defeated by the Spanish army, until 1825 when Antonia Jose de Sucre and Simon Bolivar both defeated the Spanish army. Independence was declared on 6 August 1825. 

Whilst this is a commemorative polymer note issued by the central bank, it has no value printed on the note. This note was presented to the public on 4 August 2025 and is sold at 50 bolivianos per note. A total of 1.0 million pieces have been issued. I am not sure what is the purpose of printing this with no actual value on it. At least the central bank could have just printed a nominal value of say 1 or 10 bolivianos and you will not see anyone try to transact this note commercially at a loss. A piece of plastic sheet (banknote) with no face value is less attractive to many collectors, in my opinion.

 

No Value Numismatic product

Front - On the front, the note depicts the following heroes of Latin America.

Front row (L-R)

Alejo Calatayud (b.1705-1731) - A Mestizo silversmith from Oropesa Cochabamba province who led a violent rebellion and became a local hero amongst the plebeian masses of the province. - 

 

Juana Azurduy De Padilla (b.1780-1862) - She was a guerrilla military leader from Chuquisaca, Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata. She and her husband, Manuel Ascencio Padilla fought for Bolivian and Argentine independence, earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

 

Antonio Jose de Sucre y Alcala (b.1795-1830) - Also known as the "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho", was a Venezuelan general and politician who served as the president of Bolivia from 1825 to 1828. He served as the 2nd President of Bolivia from 1825 to 1828.

Back row (L-R) 

Jose Manuel Baca Canoto (b.1790-1854) - A Bolivian poet, musician. composer, and soldier who played a significant role in the South American wars of independence. His portrait also appears in the Bolivia currency. 

 

Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) - Full name Simon Jose Antonio de la Santisima Trinidad Bolivar y Palacios. He was a famous freedom fighter in South America and is famous in countries like Colombo, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Panama and Bolivia, of course.

 

Bartolina Sisi (b.1750-1782) - An Aymara indigenous leader who led a 40,000-strong army alongside her husband, Tupac Katari (below), against Spanish colonial rule in Bolivia. She was a military commander in the 1781 siege of La Paz. She was captured and executed by the Spanish on 05.09.1782. 

 

Tupak Katari (b.1750-1781) - An Aymara who started a major rebellion against Spanish rule in Upper Peru. The rebellion failed and he was executed by the Spanish.

 

Eustaquio Mendez El Moto Mendez (b.1784-1849) - A military commander and guerrilla leader in the South American wars of independence against the Spanish rule. 

 

Signatures

Presidente a.i. BCB - Roger Wdwin Rojas Ulo

Gerente General BCB - Ruben Gonzalo Ticona Chique

Date - 2025

Sizes - 150.5mm x 70mm  

Back - On the back, it depicts the Casa de la Libertad in Sucre and the Toborochi tree. 

 

...Cuba - 1000 Pesos 2025 Commemrative 65th Year Of Cuban Banking System (1960-2025)

 

República de Cuba
(Republic of Cuba)

Banco Central De Cuba (Est.1997)

(Central Bank of Cuba, previously National Bank of Cuba est.1948)
Currency - Peso (CUP)

This is a commemorative note dated 2025 and is issued to celebrate the country's 65 Years of Cuban Banking System (1960-2025). This note was reportedly issued officially on 21.10.2025. 

Whilst this note was issued to celebrate the country's 65th year of banking system, it is not much of a banking system or celebration as all banks in Cuba were nationalised in October 1960. The nationalisation of all banks in Cuba commenced on 17.09.1960, started with the three major US owned banks, namely - The National City Bank of New York, Chase Manhattan Bank (was then known as Chase National Bank) and Bank of Boston. The rest of the remaining banks were nationalised on 13.10.1960. However, two foreign banks were not initially included in this nationalisation programme, namely The Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Nova Scotia. Despite this concession, these two banks later closed their operations in Cuba and both were acquired by the Cuban state by the end of 1960. 

It was reported that public opinions on this new note were mixed and some criticised the relevance of this commemorative note and the cost of printing of this note. Opinions on this note including the questions of having this new note issued without backing can only worsen the current rampant inflation that the country is already experiencing, and if this note was issued to celebrate the country's 65th year of economic disaster. Obviously the majority of the comments were directed to the current Cuban economy and the need for such notes and the cost associated with issuing a newly designed note. I wonder if new stock for the 1000 pesos banknotes are needed but even then, the authority can still use the previous design and simply just add a commemorative logo on it, rather than redesigning the reverse side of the note, which would cost the bank extra to produce them. 

 

One Thousand Pesos 

 

Front - The design on the front is the same as the current 1000 pesos note printed with the portrait of Julio Antonio Mella McPartland (b.1903-1929). McPartland was a Cuban political activist, journalist and a communist revolutionary. He was also one of the founding members of the Communist Party of Cuba. He was assassinated in 1929, while walking on his way home late at night in Mexico City Mexico. At the time of his assassination, he was walking with photographer Tina Modotti, and after the assassination, the Mexican government tried to implicate her in the murder by defaming her in public with the help of the Americans. Until today, the McPartland murder case is still unresolved. McPartland is related to Matias Ramon Mella Castillo (paternal grandfather b.1816-1864), the founding father of the Dominican Republic. The commemorative logo and text - Sistema Bancario Cubano are printed on the note. 

Signature - Juana Lilia Delgado (since 2024)

Watermarks - Julio Antonio Mella McPartland and electrotype 1000

Date - ANO 2025

Size - 150mm x 69mm

Back - Unlike the normal 1000 pesos in circulation, the design on the back for this commemorative is completely new. The design depicts the Sculpture Complex (Che Guevara Mausoleum) dedicated to Commander Ernesto 'Che 'Guevara (b.1928-1967) in Santa Clara which replaced the previous design of the University of Havana. Che Guevara was born Argentinian and is famous around the world. He was the president of the National Bank of Cuba from 1959 to 1961 and then the Minister of Industries from 1961 to 1965. In 1967, he joined the Bolivia National liberation Army fighting against the Bolivia government. He was then wounded and captured on 08.10.1967 in the jungle near La Higuera in Bolivia and executed by the Bolivian army (Bolivian angers) the next day. He was shot by the Bolivian Army warrant Officer Sergeant Mario Teran Salazar (b.1942-2022). It was reported the order for the execution of Che Guevara came from the CIA. In all, Salazar fired a total of 9 shots at Che Guevara, first hitting his arms and legs and then his chest that finally killed him. It appears that Che Guevara was made to suffer first by the executioner before his execution. 

The Che Guevara Mausoleum was built and completed in 1988. The mausoleum housed the remains of Che Guevara and 29 fellow combatants all killed in 1967 during Guevara's armed uprising in Bolivia. The mausoleum has a 22-foot statue of Guevara standing on a concrete pillar. Guevara's remains were discovered and exhumed and returned to Cuba and was buried in the mausoleum in 1997 with full military honors. 

The note on the back is only printed with a mono colour. The commemorative logo is also printed on the bottom left corner, and because the back is printed in mono colour, it is not easy to spot this unless you have a closer look. This note is still printed with white borders on all sides, one of the very few countries still printing banknotes in such a manner. 

It should be noted that Fildel Alejandro Castro Ruz (b.1926-2016) and his revolutionary force captured Havana that led to the overthrow of Fugencio Batista y Zaldivar's government on 01.01.1959. On 02.01.1959, Castro appointed Guevara as the commander of the La Cabana Fortress prison and he was in charge with the purging of Batista's army or anyone that were considered as the enemies of the revolution. In doing so, Guevara ordered the executions of those he considered as traitors, informants or committed war criminals. 

The reason I added some of the stories above is that every banknote tells a thousand words. Every banknote designed has a meaning to it and whilst not all agree or disagree to it, only the opinions of the locals matter, and even that, there are still no right or wrong answers but just opinions. Please note that I am either pro or anti any countries or any individuals here.

 

It was reported back in December 2025 that the Central Bank is in the process to authorise foreign banknotes as legal tender currencies in Cuba. In reality, foreign banknotes have been openly acceptable as payment by private businesses for quite a while now and often get change in pesos. The most common foreign currencies used in Cuba are the USD, Euro and Canadian dollar. The exchange rates offered by those private businesses are always better than the official exchanges.   

...Mexico - 2024-2025 Full Set Banco de Mexico 100th Years Commemorative 1925-2025

Estados Unidos Mexicanos

(United Mexican States)

Banco de Mexico (est.1925)
(Bank of Mexico)
Currency : Peso (MXN) 

Below is a full set of five notes issued between 2024 and 2025 commemorating the central bank's 100th Anniversary 1925 to 2025.

Banco de Mexico (Bank of Mexico) was established on 1st of September 1925 with its current head office located in the capital city of Mexico. Only five notes have been issued for this commemorative series as the 20 pesos note is not included. The designs for all five notes are the same as all current series in circulation but with commemorative text/logo printed (as above) to celebrate this special occasion. Like the current series, both the 50 and 00 pesos are printed on polymer substrate materials.

Whilst I have posted a full set of five notes, in reality, a complete set consists of 25 notes as in Mexico each denomination issued comes with 5 signature varieties. All banknotes are signed with the bank governor and counters signed by one board member of the central bank and all the five board member's signatures are not the same. This is one of the reasons that collecting Mexico banknotes in full sets is very difficult especially for those not residing in the country. Whilst some dealers may stock them in full sets with all five signature varieties for the lower note denominations, it is hard and expensive to get the 500 and 1000 pesos notes in full sets, and for this reason, I have decided just to have one denomination each. Sadly to say, the signatures on all of my five notes are not the same. It would be better if they were, as it would look nicer. 

Fifty Pesos (Polymer)

Front - Image of the foundation of Tenochtitlan, which is now the capital city of Mexico, Mexico city. This is a historical site and was reported as being first founded in 1325. Underneath is the image of an eagle standing on a cactus plant.

Signatures - Victoria Rodriguez Ceja and Isabel Morales Pasantes

Date - Ciudad de México, 27 Jun. 2024

Sizes - 65mm x 147.5mm 

Back - scene of an axolotl swimming in Xochimilco lake. This is one weird looking creature and can be found in several lakes in Mexico. 

One Hundred Pesos (Polymer)

Front - Juana Inés de la Cruz (b.1648-1695). Her birth name was Dona Ines de Asbaje y Ramirez de Santillana. During her lifetime, she was a nun, a writer, poet and a musician composer too. Image of Patio of the "Antiguo Colegio" San Ildefonso. This building is now used as a museum and cultural center in Mexico City. Originally it was established in 1588 as a Jesuit boarding school. This was dissolved in 1978 and turned it into a museum.  

Signatures - Jonathan Heath Constable and Isabel Morales Pasantes

Date - Ciudad de México, 27 Jun. 2024

Sizes - 65mm x 132mm 

Back - rain forest with Monarch butterflies flying around persuasively from the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt pine-oak forests ecoregion in central Mexico.

Two Hundred Pesos (Paper)

Front - Campana de Dolores (Bell of Dolores) which was used to call upon the population and start the independence movement in Dolores Hidalgo, Don Miguel Gregorio Antonio Francisco Ignacio Hidalgo-Costilla y Gallaga Mandarte Villaseñor (priest 1753-1811) who started the Mexico's War of Independence in Dolores Hidalgo and José María Teclo Morelos Pérez y Pavón (1765-1815) who assumed the leadership of the independent movement after the death of Hidalgo;

Signatures - Galia Borja Gomez and Isabel Morales Pasantes

Date - Ciudad de México, 27 Jun. 2024

Watermarks - Bell and electrotype 200

Sizes - 139.5mm x 65mm 

Back - Royal eagle, Biosphere of El Pinacate (desert) and Gran Desierto de Altar in Sonora UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Five Hundred Pesos (Paper)

Front - Portrait of Benito Pablo Juarez Garcia (b.1806-1872) was the 26th president of Mexico. He was appointed to the post from 1858 until his death in 1872. To his left is the sScene of Brnito Jusrez entering Mexico City.

Signatures - Victoria Rodriguez Ceja and Isabel Morales Pasantes

Date - Ciudad de México, 27 Jun. 2024 

Watermarks - Benito Juarez and electrotype 500

Sizes - 146mm x 65mm 

Back - The main design depicts the view of El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve with a whale swimming with her calf. The Reserve was created in 1988 and is located in Mulege Municipality in northern Baja California Sur (peninsula).

 

One Thousand Pesos (Paper)

Front - Portraits of Maria del Carmen Serdan Alatriste (b.1875-1948, was a Mexican revolutionary), Hermila Galinda Acosta (b.1886-1954, was a Mexican ferminist and writer) and Francisco Ignacio Madero Gnzalez (b.1873-1913, was a Mexican businessman, revolutionary, writer, politician and statesman and was the 37th president of Mexico from 1911 to 1913). A steam locomotive is printed in the background on the left next to the portrait of Carmen Serdan, 

Signatures - Jonathan Heath Constable and Isabel Morales Pasantes

Watermarks - Portrait of Francisco Ignacio Madero and electrotype 1000

Date - Ciudad de México, 12 Mar. 2025

Sizes - 153mm x 65mm 

Back - The main design on the back depicts a jaguar presumably hunting in the jungle. To the right is the ruins of the Mayan temple Calakmul.

...The Bahamas - $1 Series 2024 Reprint Hybrid

Commonwealth of The Bahamas

Central Bank of The Bahamas (Est.1974)
Currency : Dollar (BSD)

 

This is a reprint of the $1 Hybrid note first introduced on 27.09.2017. This note was printed by Giesecke & Devrient and was part of the CRISP Evolution (CE) family of notes.

 

Posted here is a reprint and was introduced on 03.02.2025. This note is printed with the year date of Series 2024. The design for this note is that same as the initial series but with the following improvements: -

 

1) The colours are more vibrant to avoid the confusion with the current $10 series; and

2) It has a wider security thread on the back of the note; and

 

Like the previous issue, this note is also printed by Giesecke+Devrient on Hybrid Green Banknote substrate. It is claimed that this banknote is a more environmentally friendly version of its legacy Hybrid technology boasting more sustainable components that would last longer, with an overall lower carbon footprint.

 

One Dollar Hybrid

 

Front - The note is predominantly green, with shades of lilac, grey, burnt orange, and yellow. The map of The Bahamas islands is printed on the center left and the Lignum Vitae flower in the center. To the right is the portrait of Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling (b.1930-2000). Sir Lynden Pindling was the first black premier of the Colony of the Bahamas Islands from 1967 to 1969 and then as Prime Minister of the Bahamas from 1969 to 1992. In the Bahamas, he is considered as the 'Father of the Nation'.

 

Governor - John A Rolle (since January 2016)

Date - Series 2024

Watermark - Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling and numeral $1

Dimensions - 157mm x 68mm

 

Back - Drum Major in full regalia marching, leading the Royal Bahamas Police Force marching band with the trailing with band members adjacent. It is not sure if this Drum Major

 

 

...The Falkland Islands - 2025 Polymer New Series Full Set Dated 14 August 2025

Falkland Islands

(British Overseas Territory)

 

Falkland Islands Commissioners of Currency

Currency - Pound (FKP) 

Here is a set of three notes all printed with the date of 14 August 2025. These three notes are all printed in polymer substrates and these are new series replacing the previous paper series first introduced in 1983 (£5 commemorative). The £50 denomination is not included in this new series as I believe this note is rarely used on the island and according to a local online news outlet, there is plenty of stock available for the £50 to last the demand for a long time before reprints are required.

All notes were released on 14.08.2025. This day is also the Falklands day where the people in the Falkland Islands celebrate the first sighting of the Falkland Islands on that day in 1592 by the English explorer, Captain John Davis. It should be noted that, and I believe, that this is not a public holiday for the Falklanders.

The Falkland Islands pound is pegged to the British sterling at par and as such the English pounds are widely accepted on the island, just like in Saint Helena, Gibraltar and the Channel Islands. However, I cannot say the same in the United Kingdom where the Falkland Islands pounds are widely acceptable. The Falkland Islands pound was first introduced in 1833.

Falkland Islands is a disputed territory as it is also claimed by the Argentinian government. It is believed that the Falkland Islands were uninhabited before the arrival of the Europeans in 1764. The British took over the islands in 1833 but Argentina maintains its claim to the islands. In 1982, a brief war was fought between the British and the Argentinians, after Argentina invaded the island on 02.04.1982 (and South Georgia on 03.04.1982). The war ended on 14.06.1982, after the Argentinian army surrendered. To the Argentinians, they called this territory as Islas Malvinas. Until today, this dispute is still unresolved. In 2013, a sovereignty referendum was held on the island and over 99+% of the residents wanted to remain with the British. This is not a surprise, after all, the majority of the people, if not all, are descendants of British subjects. Only 1,516 people voted with 1,513 voted for and 3 against, and 1 invalid vote and 1 blank vote. Falkland Islands is considered as one of the most remote places you can find in the world. However, it is not as bad as the Pitcairn Islands in the Pacific.

As this is a new series, the designs for all three notes are the same, except for the colours, and denomination values. Just like those previous series, the designs for all three notes on the front are all the same, and the same goes for the reverse too. I am not sure if this has anything to do with the cost of designing and manufacturing or simply just going for simplicity with the same design on all the notes. As expected, the notes are all printed with the portrait of the current British monarch, King Charles the III in military uniform. These are the first series of banknotes printed with King Charles III's portrait. 'However, Bermuda was the first nation outside the United Kingdom to issue banknotes with King's Charles portrait. A few other countries are going to follow suit, and one would expect territories like Jersey, Gibraltar and Guernsey to do the same when new banknotes are required. 

All notes are printed with tactile features in a shape to assist with those partially impaired.

£5 - Inverted triangle shape (14 dots); 

£10 - Square shape (16 dots); and 

£20 - Circular shape (12 dots) 

To a local news media in the Falkland Islands, this new series is known as - The two Kings, with King Charles printed on the front and King Penguins on the back. 

Just like the last issues of the £10 and £20 Series B dated 1 January 2011, all notes are also printed with the three signatures of the Commissioners of Currency. They are:- 

Rebecca Ross (Exchequer Supervisor)

Pat Clunie (Finance Secretary)

Stephen Cannon (Head of Finance)

 

Given a rather small population (3,788 people - 2023 estimated), I believe only one prefix has been printed for this series. However, I do not have any information as to how many pieces were printed, and given that this new series is printed on polymer substrates, I can only predict that between 100,000 or 200,000 pieces are printed, with the higher denomination printed less. I have not sighted and replacement prefix has been printed, but I am sure they are available.

Five Pounds 

Front - The portrait of King Charles the III, replacing the last Queen Elizabeth the II. King Charles III became the King of the United Kingdom following the death of his mother on 08.09.2022. Coronation for King Charles was held on 06.05.2023. In the middle background is the image of the map of the Falkland Island, and in the top left are five black-browed albatrosses flying. To the top right corner is the see-through window printed with the image of a King Penguin.

Date - 14 August 2025

Sizes - 135.5mm x 65mm

Back - Pale Maiden (flower) or Olsynium filifolium is the only species of the iris family native to the Falkland Islands.

Steeple Jason Island is a small island west of Grand Jason Island. This island is situated on the northwest of the Falkland Islands. The Steeple Jason Island was used for sheep grazing until the 1980s. Today, it is home to the largest colony of black-browed albatrosses in the world. Today, 70% of the global population of these birds breed in the Falkland Islands. Below the Pale Maiden are the five species of penguin.

Five penguins are printed in the bottom left. 

Below the wordings - The Government of the Falkland Islands, the following slogan is also added to the note - "Desire The Right" to the bottom right corner on all the three notes.

Ten Pounds 

Sizes - 135mm x 65mm 

Twenty Pounds

Sizes - 136mm x 65mm

Some interesting facts about the Falkland Islands

1) It has a rather small population of  3,788+/-;

2) All citizens are also considered as British subjects with the right to British residency;

3) No McDonalds, Tescos or Starbucks, nor any chain shops or restaurants;

4) Visitors have visa free visit for up to 30 days;

5) Flying into the island is via Chile;

6) Averaging detached houses costing £350,000+/- each;

7) Minimum wages £9.19 at at 01.01.2025, average income is £20,100; 

8) Only one pub, called The Rose Bar (corner of Rose Road - Dean Street);

9) Foreigners retirement is possible if financially independent; 

10) Most common food is mutton, a staple diet to the locals; 

11) No trees can be grown due to the weather and the unsuitable soil; 

12) Car speed limit in Stanley (capital) is 25mph and 40mph in other area; 

13) Temperature - Winter -5C and Summer 24C;

14) Main economy are tourism, commercial fishing and servicing the fishing industry.