Suriname (1963-1982)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the period previous and after the elections of 1973, in which the independentistas won the elections and won independence (1975) with Henck Arron, leader of the National Party of Suriname (NPS), as prime minister, during which the country lost a third of its population (by retaining Dutch nationality) and ending with the revolution led by Desiré Bouterse, called "The Blow of the Sergeants", appointing Hendrick Chin A Sen as Prime Minister, establishing a socialist regime (of which Hendrick Chin A Sen himself is exiled by his conception of democratic socialism), naming the Military Council to Ramdat Misier, as provisional president. There are banknotes of 5 florins, 10 florins, 25 florins, 100 florins and 1,000 florins.  

10 florins (tien gulden)

This banknote worth 10 florins was first circulated in September the 1st of 1963. On the main side right it can be seen a woman carrying a basket of fruits on her head and the Olympic appetite. In the center there are decorative elements, the written value of the banknote and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Dutch (Centrale Bank van Suriname). In the left appears a gap for the digital watermark there are two 10's in the lower part of the banknote.
On the other side of the banknote there's Suriname's motto and coat of arms, formed by a sailboat, a palm tree and a star held by two Arawak Indians. There are two 10's, decorative elements and a text saying that the counterfeiter is punished with a penalty of less than nine years and the holder is fined less than 300 florins. This banknote has a parrot as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.1 cm x 6.6 cm.

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Gibraltar (1975-1995)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the period in which terrestrial communications suppressed (until 1982, with the arrival to power of Felipe González), with important economic consequences for the city, and the moments in which the Brussels process was initiated (1985), in which the United Kingdom was committed to begin a dialogue with Spain about Gibraltar, which includes the issue of its sovereignty (Spain, with greater or lesser intensity, has continued to demand the retrocession of Gibraltar). There are banknotes of 1 pound, 5 pounds, 10 pounds, 20 pounds and 50 pounds.  

1 pound (one pound)

This banknote worth 1 pound was first circulated in November the 1st of 1983. On the main side center it can be seen Elizabeth II, queen of the territory (it belongs to the UK) as well as many other countries like Canada or Australia. In the left appears a gap for the digital watermark and the Rock of Gibraltar, with the written value of the banknote and the city's coat of arms. In the upper part appears the name of the issuing entity in English (Government of Gibraltar).
In the right side there's a text saying that the banknote is legal tender for all payments and moreover there are four 1's and decorative elements. On the other side of the banknote there's The Convent, former convent of Franciscan friars and official residence of the Governor of Gibraltar since 1728. There are three 1's, decorative elements and the written value of the banknote. This banknote has a portrait of Elizabeth II as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 13.5 cm x 6.7 cm.

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Bavaria (1875-1921)

This serie of banknotes (called Bayerische Banknote) belongs to the period in Bavaria and German history in which in Bavaria, Louis II reigned first, who was dismissed in 1886 because of the bad relationship with the Bavarian government, and later his brother Otto I, with a long history of mental illness and under the tutelage of his uncle Prince Leopold until 1912, a period in that the Bavarian relations were very cold for the search for power in the German Empire and ended with Georg von Hertling, as the first president of the government with a majority in the Bavarian Regional Parliament. After the death of Prince Leopold, his son deposed Otto I and was crowned as Louis III, standing out as a conservative reign. During the First World War, in 1917, von Hertling went to the German Chancellery and occupied his post Otto Ritter von Dandl. Unpopular in the course of the war broke out the German Revolution of 1918, proclaiming the ephemeral Soviet Republic of Bavaria. The Wittelsbach family left the power and Bavaria adopted a republican regime, integrating itself in the Republic of Weimar, conserving the Palatinate occupied from 1918 to 1930 by the French and acquired Coburg in 1920. There are banknotes of 100 mark.

100 mark (hundert Mark)

This banknote worth 100 mark was first circulated in January the 1st 1900. On the main side right it can be seen Ceres (Roman godness of agriculture) and a boy, with farming implements and a wad of straw and in the left, the allegoric representation of the Bank and Mercury (Roman messenger and trade god), with industrial tools, coin bags and a cornucopia. The letter are written on a Gothic style and in the center appears the written value of the banknote and the name of the Regional Bank in German  (Bayerische Notenbank) over a 100 and with two 100's in the upper part.
In the lower part it appear Bavarian Kingdom coat of arms and decorative elements. The other side of the banknote has the written value of the banknote, six 100's (four of them on the corners), the name of the serie and a text saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished with German law, all of that surrounded with floristic and decorative elements. This banknote has the name of the Regional Bank and a 100 as digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 16.1 cm x 10.3 cm.

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Transcaucasia (1918)

This serie of banknotes belongs to the period after February Revolution in 1917, that weakened the Russian power in the zone and the independence declaration of the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic in April the 9th of 1918, which lasted only 5 weeks. There are banknotes of 1 ruble, 3 rubles, 5 rubles, 10 rubles, 50 rubles, 100 rubles and 250 rubles.

1 ruble (один рубль/մեկ ռուբլի/ერთი რუბლი/يوز سنات)

This banknote worth 1 ruble was first circulated in 1918. On the main side of the banknote it can be see Caucasian typical decoration. In the center there are decorative elements and the written value of the banknote moreover there are two 1's, a text that says that this banknote is the state currency and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Russian (Боны Закавказскаю Комиссарiата). On the other side of the banknote there are some Caucasian decoration, the written value of the banknote and a text in Russian saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. It can be seen two 1's, in the corners and three of them in the middle, with the written value and that same text in Armenian, Georgian and Azeri (still with Arabic alphabet). This banknote has no digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11.1 cm x 7.3 cm.

3 rubles (три рубля/երեք ռուբլի/სამი რუბლი/يوز سنات)

This banknote worth 3 rubles was first circulated in 1918. On the main side of the banknote it can be see Caucasian typical decoration. In the center there are decorative elements and the written value of the banknote moreover there are two 3's, a text that says that this banknote is the state currency and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Russian (Боны Закавказскаю Комиссарiата). On the other side of the banknote there are some Caucasian decoration, the written value of the banknote and a text in Russian saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. It can be seen two 3's, in the corners and three of them in the middle, with the written value and that same text in Armenian, Georgian and Azeri (still with Arabic alphabet). This banknote has no digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11.1 cm x 7.3 cm.

5 rubles (пять рублей/հինգ ռուբլի/ხუთი რუბლი/يوز سنات)

This banknote worth 5 rubles was first circulated in 1918. On the main side of the banknote it can be see Caucasian typical decoration, consisting in a canopy with two birds in the middle. In the center there are decorative elements and the written value of the banknote moreover there are two 5's, a text that says that this banknote is the state currency and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Russian (Боны Закавказскаю Комиссарiата).
On the other side of the banknote there are some Caucasian decoration, the written value of the banknote and a text in Russian saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. It can be seen five 5's, in the corners and three of them in the middle, with the written value and that same text in Armenian, Georgian and Azeri (still with Arabic alphabet). This banknote has no digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11.1 cm x 7.3 cm.

10 rubles (десять рублей/տասը ռուբլի/ათი რუბლი/يوز سنات)

This banknote worth 10 rubles was first circulated in 1918. On the main side of the banknote it can be see Caucasian typical decoration, consisting in a canopy with two birds in the middle. In the center there are decorative elements and the written value of the banknote moreover there are two 10's, a text that says that this banknote is the state currency and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Russian (Боны Закавказскаю Комиссарiата).
On the other side of the banknote there are some Caucasian decoration, the written value of the banknote and a text in Russian saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. It can be seen five 10's, in the corners and three of them in the middle, with the written value and that same text in Armenian, Georgian and Azeri (still with Arabic alphabet). This banknote has no digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 11.1 cm x 7.3 cm.

50 rubles (пятьдесят рублей/հիսուն ռուբլի/ორმოცდაათი რუბლი/يوز سنات)

This banknote worth 50 rubles was first circulated in 1918. On the main side of the banknote it can be see Caucasian typical decoration, consisting in a canopy with two birds in the middle and two columns. In the center there are decorative elements and the written value of the banknote moreover there are five 50's, a text that says that this banknote is the state currency and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Russian (Боны Закавказскаю Комиссарiата).
On the other side of the banknote there are some Caucasian decoration, the written value of the banknote and a text in Russian saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. It can be seen seven 50's, in the corners and three of them in the middle, with the written value and that same text in Armenian, Georgian and Azeri (still with Arabic alphabet). This banknote has no digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.3 cm x 9.9 cm.

100 rubles (сто рублей/հարյուր ռուբլի/ასი რუბლი/يوز سنات)

This banknote worth 100 rubles was first circulated in 1918. On the main side of the banknote it can be see Caucasian typical decoration, consisting in a canopy with two birds in the middle and two columns. In the center there are decorative elements and the written value of the banknote moreover there are five 100's, a text that says that this banknote is the state currency and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Russian (Боны Закавказскаю Комиссарiата).
On the other side of the banknote there are some Caucasian decoration, the written value of the banknote and a text in Russian saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. It can be seen seven 100's, in the corners and three of them in the middle, with the written value and that same text in Armenian, Georgian and Azeri (still with Arabic alphabet). This banknote has no digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.3 cm x 9.9 cm.

250 rubles (двести пятьдесят рублей/երկու հարյուր հիսուն ռուբլի/ორას ორმოცდაათი რუბლი/يوز سنات)

This banknote worth 250 rubles was first circulated in 1918. On the main side of the banknote it can be see Caucasian typical decoration, consisting in a canopy with two birds in the middle and two columns. In the center there are decorative elements and the written value of the banknote moreover there are five 250's, a text that says that this banknote is the state currency and in the upper part, the name of the National Bank in Russian (Боны Закавказскаю Комиссарiата). 
On the other side of the banknote there are some Caucasian decoration, the written value of the banknote and a text in Russian saying that counterfeiting banknotes is punished by law. It can be seen five 250's, in the corners and two of them in the middle, with the written value and that same text that appeared before in Armenian, Georgian and Azeri (still with Arabic alphabet). This banknote has no digital watermark. The size of this banknote is 15.3 cm x 9.9 cm.

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European Union (EU) (2013-nowadays)

This serie of banknotes was produced when EU got out the economic crisis and Great Britain went out of the Union (the so-called Brexit). There are banknotes of 5 euros, 10 euros, 20 euros and 50 euros.

5 euros

This banknotes worth 5 euros was first circulated in 2013. On the main side you can see two 5's (one of them changes its colour depending on the position), the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin, Greek and Cirilic characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Classic style, appearing in the right an arc in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 10 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic part with the Greek goddess Europa, the arc and 5's. On the other side you can see a classic aqueduct, the European continent and EU stars. In the left upper corner appears the currency symbol (€), an iridesent thread and in the rest of the banknote a 5 with optically variable ink and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the arc and a 5 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 12 cm x 6.3 cm.

10 euros

This banknotes worth 10 euros was first circulated in 2014. On the main side you can see two 10's (one of them changes its colour depending on the position), the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin, Greek and Cirilic characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Romanic style, appearing in the right a façade in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 10 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic part with the Greek goddess Europa, the façade and 10's. On the other side you can see a Romanic bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the left upper corner appears the currency symbol (€), an iridesent thread and in the rest of the banknote a 10 with optically variable ink and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the façade and a 10 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 12.7 cm x 6.7 cm.

 

20 euros

This banknotes worth 20 euros was first circulated in 2015. On the main side you can see two 20's (one of them changes its colour depending on the position), the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin, Greek and Cirilic characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Gothic style, appearing in the right two stained glasses in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 10 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic part with the Greek goddess Europa, the glasses and 20's. On the other side you can see a Gothic bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the left upper corner appears the currency symbol (€), an iridesent thread and in the rest of the banknote a 20 with optically variable ink and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the stained glasses and a 20 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 13.3 cm x 7.2 cm.

50 euros

This banknotes worth 50 euros was first circulated in 2017. On the main side you can see two 50's (one of them changes its colour depending on the position), the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin, Greek and Cirilic characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Renaissance style, appearing in the right two balconies in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 10 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic part with the Greek goddess Europa, the glasses and 50's. On the other side you can see a Renaissance bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the left upper corner appears the currency symbol (€), an iridesent thread and in the rest of the banknote a 20 with optically variable ink and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the balcony and a 50 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 14.2 cm x 7.8 cm.

100 euros

This banknotes worth 100 euros was first circulated in May the 28th 2019. On the main side you can see two 100's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin, Greek and Cirilic characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Baroque and Rococo style, appearing in the right an entrance in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic patch with the euro currency symbol (€) and 100's. On the other side you can see a Baroque and Rococo bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 100's (one of them completed with the other side elements and another with optically variable ink), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the entrance and 100 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 14.7 cm x 7.7 cm.

200 euros

This banknotes worth 200 euros was first circulated in May the 28th 2019. On the main side you can see two 200's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin, Greek and Cirilic characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Art Nouveau, appearing in the right an entrance in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic patch with the euro currency symbol (€) and 200's. On the other side you can see an Art Nouveau bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 200's (one of them completed with the other side elements and another with optically variable ink), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the entrance and 200 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 15.3 cm x 7.7 cm.

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European Union (EU) (2002-2013)

This serie of banknotes was the first issued in the whole EU, in which more countries joined the Eurozone despite the economic downturn that affected Europe (and the whole world). On the left side are those that mean where they were printed:, B (Lithuania), C (Latvia), D (Estonia), E (Slovakia), F (Malta) G (Cyprus), H (Slovenia), L (Finland) ), M (Portugal), N (Austria), P (Netherlands), S (Italy), T (Ireland), U (France), V (Spain), X (Germany), Y (Greece) and Z (Belgium). There are banknotes of 5 euros, 10 euros, 20 euros, 50 euros, 100 euros, 200 euros and 500 euros.

5 euros

This banknotes worth 5 euros was first circulated in 2002. On the main side you can see two 5's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin and Greek characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Classic style, appearing in the right an arc in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic thread with the euro currency symbol (€) and 5's. On the other side you can see a Classic aqueduct, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 5's (one of them completed with the other side elements), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the arc and 5 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 12 cm x 6.2 cm. 

10 euros

This banknotes worth 10 euros was first circulated in 2002. On the main side you can see two 10's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin and Greek characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Romanic style, appearing in the right a façade in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic thread with the euro currency symbol (€) and 10's. On the other side you can see a Romanic bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 10's (one of them completed with the other side elements), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the façade and 10 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 12.7 cm x 6.7 cm.  

 

20 euros

This banknotes worth 20 euros was first circulated in 2002. On the main side you can see two 20's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin and Greek characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Gothic style, appearing in the right two stained glasses in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic thread with the euro currency symbol (€) and 20's. On the other side you can see a Gothic bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 20's (one of them completed with the other side elements), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the stained glass and 20 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 13.4 cm x 7.2 cm.   

50 euros

This banknotes worth 50 euros was first circulated in 2002. On the main side you can see two 50's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin and Greek characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Renaissance style, appearing in the right two balconies in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic patch with the euro currency symbol (€) and 50's. On the other side you can see a Renaissance bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 50's (one of them completed with the other side elements and another with optically variable ink), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the balcony and 50 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 14.1 cm x 7.7 cm.

100 euros

This banknotes worth 100 euros was first circulated in 2002. On the main side you can see two 100's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin and Greek characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Baroque and Rococo style, appearing in the right an entrance in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic patch with the euro currency symbol (€) and 100's. On the other side you can see a Baroque and Rococo bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 100's (one of them completed with the other side elements and another with optically variable ink), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the entrance and 100 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 14.7 cm x 8.2 cm.

200 euros

This banknotes worth 200 euros was first circulated in 2002. On the main side you can see two 200's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin and Greek characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Art Nouveau, appearing in the right an entrance in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic patch with the euro currency symbol (€) and 200's. On the other side you can see an Art Nouveau bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 200's (one of them completed with the other side elements and another with optically variable ink), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the entrance and 200 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 15.3 cm x 8.2 cm.

500 euros

This banknotes worth 500 euros was first circulated in 2002. On the main side you can see two 500's, the 12 EU stars and some more and the word euro written in Latin and Greek characters. The inspiration of the banknote is Modern style, appearing in the right a building in that style. In the left it can be seen the EU flag, next to the name of the ECB (European Central Bank) in 5 EU languages. In the right there's a holografic patch with the euro currency symbol (€) and 500's. On the other side you can see a Modern bridge, the European continent and EU stars. In the corners there are four 500's (one of them completed with the other side elements and another with optically variable ink), a iridesent thread and the name of euro in the previously mentioned alphabets. This banknote has the entrance and 500 as digital watermark, as well as a security thread. The size of this banknote is 16 cm x 8.2 cm.

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Banknotes history

The origin of banknotes (also known as paper money) go further in time than we can imagine. It's believed that the first banknotes were coined in China, under Song dynasty (960 AD-1279 AD), although they were used unoffcially since the 7th century. This invention was of vital importance, enhancing trade and making it easier. These first banknotes were called jiaozi (in Chinese, 交子; you can see a copy of them below) and what characterises them is that there are a lot of stamps on them, whose aim was to avoid counterfeiting (which had harsh punishment, death penalty). Around the 10th century, banknote circulation system was very organised and, despite its good qualities (banknotes are lighter, more portable and comfortable than coins), paper money and coins were both used. In the 13th century, with Marco Polo or William of Rubruck's travels' to China, European civilitation discovered this way of paying, though it was thought to be uncomprehensible, unreliable and phony.

 

In Europe paper-money isn't printed until the17th century, in particular 1661 AD. In that year, the Stokholm Bank (first Central Bank in the world, founded by Johan Palmstruch) in Sweden printed some "receipts"  for the people who deposited gold or other precious metals in that institution. From that moment, the use of banknotes spread around the world.
Gold standard was taken as pattern, setting the change of paper-money in established values of gold between the 17th and 19th century (this fact made gold coins go out of use, gold was valuable than the coin). In fact, gold standard was adopted by almost evey country in the beginning of the 20th century.
After WWII and Bretton Woods conference, most of the countries adopted fiat currencies attached to US dollar. Money emition was backed by gold till the 1970's (in 1971 USA suspended the convertibility of the US dollar to gold). After this many countries de-pegged their currencies from the U.S. dollar, and most of the world's currencies became backed by anything except the governments' fiat of legal tender and the ability to convert the money into goods via payment (according to proponents of modern money theory, fiat money is also backed by taxes, which is how states create demand for the currency they issue.
Nowadays, the use of both coins and banknotes is decreasing due to the implementation of other paying methods like credit cards or cheques and the creation of virtual currency (like bitcoin).

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