...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 100 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.

...Papua New Guinea - 50 Kina 2025 Commemorative 50th Year of Independence

Independent State of Papua New Guinea

Bank of Papua New Guinea (Est.1973)

Currency - Kina (PGK)

 

Here, I have posted the 50 kina polymer note issued commemorating the country's 50th year of gaining independence from Australia. This note was reportedly released on 28.08.2025 to the public for circulation.

 

Papua New Guinea achieved independence on 16.09.1975 after almost 57 years of under the Australian administration. Papua New Guinea was given to Australia's rule after the end of World War I. Prior to that, the country was divided into two, with the German occupying the top half of present-day Papua New Guinea and the British occupying the bottom half. In 1902, the British ceded their control to Australia and after the defeat of the German in the First World War, the part that was occupied by the German prior the war was then handed over to the Australia control. 

 

Since gaining independence, numerous banknotes have been released to celebrate the country's independence: -  

 

1995 - 2 kina 20th Anniversary of Independence

2000 - Full set 25th Anniversary of Independence 

2010 - Full set 35th Anniversary of Independence

2015 - 20 kina 40th Anniversary of Independence

 

The design for this 50 kina commemorative note is very similar to the current 50 kina normal circulating note but with added commemorative features mainly on the front.

 

Fifty Kina

 

Front - Coat of Arms, a flying Bird of Paradise, with Papua New Guinea's parliament in the background. The independence logo of 50 is printed next to the parliament building. Below are two butterflies flying.

 

Governor - Elizabeth W Genia (tenure 2023-)

Secretary, Department of Treasury - Andrew F Oaeke (tenure 2021-)

Sizes - 145.5mm x 70mm

 

Back - Portrait of Sir Michael Somare (b.1936-2021); spears from Sepik; shield and mask from New Ireland; leaf and pointed Tubuan face mask from New Britain; headdress from the Highlands; mask and costume from Sepik River. No security thread. 

 

 

...Libya - 5 and 20 Dinars Polymer ND2025 Issues

ليبيا

Libya

 

 مصرف ليبيا المركزي

(Central Bank of Libya)

Currency - Dinar (LYD)

Here are the two polymer notes of 5 and 20 dinars reportedly issued in 2025. These are the second and third polymer notes issued since the 1 dinar polymer note was first introduced in 2019. Whilst these two notes were issued in 2025, no year dates are printed on either of the notes.

Based on what the notes have been issued, it is fair to say that the central bank is embracing polymer note series going forward, perhaps for the remainder of the series. At the moment, only the 10 and 50 dinars are yet to be issued for this polymer series. The 50 dinars is still the largest denomination circulating in the economy.

Five Dinars (Polymer)

Front - Image of the Ottoman Clock Tower in Tripoli. Situated in the city of Ottoman, it is believed that this clock tower was built in 1870 during the occupation by the Ottoman empire. The Ottoman empire ruled Libya from 1551 to 1912, and then took over by the Italian, after the defeat of the Italo-Turkish War (1911-1912). I believe the tower is painted in white colour or perhaps in creamy colour.the tower is located in the Tarabulus district in Tripoli.

Governor - Naji Mohamed Issa Belqasem (since 2024)

Watermark - Omar Mukhtar (clear window)

Sizes - 136mm x 88.5mm

Back - Temple of Zeus in Cyrene is a historical site, first built by the Romans in the 6th century BC. The temple was then rebuilt again in the 2nd century AD after it was destroyed by a revolt in 115 AD. In the 4th century AD, again it was destroyed, but this time by an earthquake and since then, no attempt has been carried out to either repair or rebuild the temple again. Cyrene is just an archeological ruins site situated near the village of Shahhat, northeast of Libya. In 2017, this site was listed as a World Heritage in Danger by UNESCO. 

Twenty Dinars (Polymer)

Front - Image of Al-Atiq mosque in Awjila. This is a Sunni Islam mosque situated in the oasis village of Awjila, north-east of Libya. The mosque is located in the o;d city area of Awjila and it is dated from the 12th century. This mosque was made mainly from mud and limestone with unusual conical domes.

Governor - Naji Mohamed Issa Belqasem (since 2024)

Watermark - Omar Mukhtar (clear window)

Sizes - 149mm x 74.5mm

Back - A girl school in Ghadames. Ghasames is a historical oasis city in northwestern Libya. It is not sure which school this is related to. This image looks like the White-washed former Italian and Koranic school in Ghadames. The school is situated in the old town of Ghadames. This school was built centuries ago and was originally an Italian school, and later served as a Koranic school. The school is a historical landmark in the old city of Ghadames.

...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.

...Fiji - 100 Cents Polymer ND2023 Uncut Sheets Of 2 and 3 Commemorative Numismatic Products

Republic of Fiji

 

Reserve Bank of Fiji

(Established 1983)

Currency - Dollar (FJD)

 

On 04.11.2023, I posted the single note for the Fiji 100 cents polymer commemorative note with the design of a Chinese Dragon. This note was issued in a joint-venture between the Reserve Bank of Fiji and a company in China called China Coin Industrial Co. Limited (CCIC) trading as Shenzhen China Coin Investment Co. Limited. CCIC was granted full license to distribute this note and was first released on 08.08.2023. The intention for this note was to celebrate the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Dragon 2024. Since the release in 2023, it is not sure how successful this issue is and I wonder if they are still selling them or they are all sold out by now. If not, then I do not believe it will ever get all sold out as the note was sold at a pretty high price given the face value is nominal.    

 

Whilst the note printed may be auspicious to the Chinese, only banknote collectors would be interested in this as I believe such note would attract any interest from the normal folks in China. 

 

One Hundred Cents Two Uncut Sheet Polymer

 

Front - Hibiscus flower, Coat of Arms. The design on the front is very similar to the previous 88-cent note, except for the see-through window on the left. Even the colours are similar too.

 

Governor - Faizul Ariff Ali (tenure since 11.09.2017)

Watermark - N/A

Printer - De La Rue (not printed)

Dimensions - 145.5mm x 140.5mm

 

Back - A Chinese Imperial dragon holding a fireball in its paw. A Chinese word '龍' (Dragon) is also printed in the bottom right. Like the China 100 yuan polymer commemorative note issued in 2000, this note also depicts a Chinese Imperial Dragon, and back in the Chinese Imperial years right up to 1911, only the sitting Emperor of the day was allowed to have such dragon design on their robe. Anyone found to have the same dragon or similar design on their clothing will not live another day to enjoy this. The yellowish background colour also represents the Chinese Imperial colour as well.

 

 

 One Hundred Cents Three Uncut Sheet

Dimensions - 210mm x 145.5mm