...Papua New Guinea - 100 Kina ND2026 Commemorative Sir Julius Chan 陳仲民 Anniversary

Papua New Guinea, Independent State of

Bank of Papua New Guinea (Est.1973)

Currency - Kina (PGK)

 

This is a commemorative note of 100 kina that was released on 28.01.2026 to celebrate the first anniversary of the passing of Papua New Guinea's second Prime Minister. Sir Julius Chan. Sir Julius died on 30.01.2025 in Huris, New Ireland Province. Following his death, the government of Papua New Guinea declared a week of national mourning. He was given a state funeral in Port Moresby, the capital city and his remains were then buried in New Ireland Province.  

Sir Julius Chan was born half Chinese and half Papua New Guinean (mother Miriam Tinkoris, a native of New Ireland). His father was Chan Pak (陳柏 b.1896-1994 Sydney Australia), a trader originally came from Taishan, a coaster city situated in the southwest of Guangdong province. Sir Julius was the fifth child out of seven children, and it was believed that he spoke Cantonese, apart from English and a local dialect of Papua New Guinea. During the Second World War, because of his mixed race, the Japanese occupiers treated the entire Chan family as outsiders and put his father into forced labour building roads and bridges. One of his younger brothers died during the war (casualty of war). His older brother was in Hong Kong schooling during the war, and was tricked by a family friend and sold as a slave in China working as a farm labour. He was then rescued by a Communist Party general and they made him a shoe cleaner and a pistol carrier. After the war the Chinese General felt sorry for him and helped him to return to Hong Kong as a free man and later he managed to return home and united with the family in Papua New Guinea. 

This is the second time in the history of the Bank of Papua New Guinea since 1975 that banknotes were issued honoring a politician. The first time this happened was Sir Michael Somare on a fifty kina paper note issued in 1989. Since then, the 50 kina note with the portrait of Sir Michael Somare has been reprinted in polymer substrate materials including normal and commemorative notes, and I am just wondering if this 100 kina note with the portrait of Sir Julius Chan will be the same design for all future reprints. The difference between Sir Michael Somare and Sir Julius Chan is that the 50 kina notes were issued when Sir Michael Somare was still alive and Sir Julius Chan is not.

Whilst this note was issued as a commemorative banknote, there is nothing, like a commemorative logo or text to say this is a commemorative issue. 

 

One Hundred Kina

Front -  Papua New Guinea's Parliament building located in Waigani in the capital city of Port Moresby. The parliament house was officially opened on 08.08.1984 by Prince Charles (now King Charles The lll). The parliament house was formerly known as the House of Assembly Building of Papua New Guinea from 1964 to 1975. On the top left is the Bird of Paradise, the national emblem of Papua New Guinea, perched on a Kundu Drum and Ceremonial spear. Coat of Arms and on the far left is a see-through image of the bank's logo and the images of Bird of Paradise. 

Signatures

Governor - Elizabeth W Genia (tenure 2023-)

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

Date - nd2026

Sizes - 150mm x 70mm 

Back - The portrait of the late Sir Julius Chan (b.1939-2025). Julius Chan who was the second Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea from 1980 to 1982, and again in 1994 to March 1997, and June 1997 to July 1997. Julius Chan was half Chinese and half native of Papua New Guinea and was born on Tanga Islands. His Chinese given name is 陳仲民 (transliteration - Chan Chung-min/Chen Zhongmin). His father was from Taishan (泰山 - southern China, near Macau) in China. Apart from Papua New Guinea dialects and English, he also spoke Cantonese. Apart from being the country's Prime Minister, he was also the 4th governor of New Ireland from 2007 to 2025 (until his death). Julius Chan was born in 1939 and died on 30.01.2025 at the age of 85 years old. Other images printed on this note is an image of a fisherman on a canoe (shark caller) catching sharks.

...Honduras - 200 Lempiras Dated 9 De Noviembre De 2023 Commemorative

Republica De Honduras

(Republic of Honduras)

 

Banco Central De Honduras

(Central Bank of Honduras)

Currency - Lempira (HNL)

 

This is a 200 lempiras released on 20.01.2026. The planning and printing of this note was first announced on 23.08.2023. A total of 20 million pieces were printed by Crane Currency in Malta. On 12.03.2026, the government of Honduras instructed all banks to cease distributing this note to the public for circulation. This note barely lasted 51 days and for those notes that have been released since January 2026 are still legal tender and no doubt any circulated notes returned back to the bank will not be reissued to the public again. Initially I had no intention to get this note until I saw this news. 

This note was issued to honor Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores, a leader in the field of Ecology. This is also the first time a female portrait is featured on a Honduras banknote, even though it did not last that long. This note should be treated as a commemorative note and as such I have also posted this same note to my Commemorative Banknotes section.

I believe this is how the story goes: -

2022 - the governing party in Honduras was the Liberty and Refoundation Party (left-wing party) headed by President Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, the first female president of Honduras. Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento took office on 27.01.2022 and her single term ended on 27.01.2026. 

2023 - The intention of issuing this note was announced on 23.08.2023 by the central bank.

2026 - This note was officially released on 20.01.2026. The President of Honduras is elected by a simple majority vote to serve a single four-year term. The term begins on January 27th following the election and the country's constitution prohibits reelection.

2026 - On 27.01.2026, Nasry Juan Asfura Zablah became the President of Honduras and he is from the National Party of Honduras. The National Party of Honduras is a right-wing party. It is believed that because of Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores's activities during her lifetime, the current right-wing Honduras government is not a fan of what she did then and decided to cease issuing this note, thus the withdrawal was made on 12.03.2026. 

It is not sure what will happen to the rest of the unissued banknotes. Will they just leave them in the bank's vaults for storage or just simply destroy them all. if that happens, it would be a waste! What I do not understand is that the announcement for printing this note was made in April 2024, and only released a few days before the previous President's term ended. Why is it taking so long? What's the delay?

If you enjoy collecting banknotes that specifically come with an interesting story, like me, then this is one note you should be getting. This note is not rare and there are plenty to offer at the moment. All you have to do is to look for one that offers you the best price.  

 

Two Hundred Lempiras

Front - The front of the note depicts a portrait of Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores (b.1971-2016). Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores was an environmental activist and indigenous leader. She belonged to the Lenca indigenous people. In Honduras, the Lenca are the largest tribal group, with an estimated population of more than 450,000. During her lifetime, she defended many local native habitats, stopped the building of a dam at Rio Gualcarque. For many years, she received numerous threats against her life and on 02.03.2016, she was shot by two armed intruders at her home and died the following day. It is believed that her assassination was carried out by right-wing groups and possibly with foreign aid or assistance who were against her environmental activities. Several people were arrested after assassination, some of them were linked to the US-trained elite military troops and had trained in the USA. In November 2018, seven people were found guilty and sentenced to prison for her murder.

Signatures

Presidente/President (Central Bank) - Rebeca Patricia Santos

Gerente/Manager - Avila

Secretaria De Finanzas/Secretary of Finance - Ochoa 

Date - 9 De Noviembre De 2023 (released on 20.01.2026)

Quantity - 20,000,000 pieces 

Watermark - Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores and electrotype BCH

Sizes - 156mm x 67mm

Back - An aerial view of La Esperanza, a city located on the western side of Honduras. This city is about 3 hours and 30 minutes drive from the capital city of Tegucigalpa. This is also the city where Bertha Isabel Caceres Flores was born (home town). On the back, the note is also printed with the following text in Spanish: -

¡Despertemos humanidad!

¡Ya no hay tiempo!

 (Wake up humanity!

 There is no more times!)

To the center right is the Coat of Arms of Honduras.

...Tajikistan - 100 Somoni 25 Years of National Currency (2000-2025)

Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон

(Republic of Tajikistan)

 

Национальный банк Таджикистана

(National Bank of Tajikistan, Est.1991)

Currency - Somoni (TJS) 

 

On 30.10.2025, the National Bank of Tajikistan released a new 100 somoni commemorative note. This note was issued to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the creation of the national currency - Somoni. The Tajikistani somoni was named after Ismail Somoni (Ismail Samani).

Tajikistan gained independence from the Soviet Union on 09.09.1991, following the dissolution of the USSR. In 1994, it released its own currency call Tajik 'Rubl' (Rouble). In 1999 it introduced the new currency called 'Somoni'. The somoni currency is subdivided into 100 dirams.

The somoni currency was first introduced on 30.10.2000, replacing the rouble at the rate of 1 somoni = 1,000 roubles.

Since gaining independence in 1991, this is the first time that the central bank has issued a commemorative note. 

 

One Hundred Somoni 

Front - Portrait of Ismail Somoni (b.849-907) who was the founder of the first centralised state. His full name was Abu Ibrahim Ismail ibn-i Ahmad-i Samani and he was the Amir of the Samanid Empire from 892 to 907.  Printed in the center right is the Ismail Somoni mausoleum, which is located in the northwestern part of Bukhara in Uzbekistan, which is about 10 hours drive from Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan. The building was built in the 10th century and is the final resting place of Ismail Somoni. In the center left is the commemorative logo in Tajik language: -

25 СОЛАГИИ БАРОРИШИ ПУЛИ МИЛЛИИ СОМОНЙ

(25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL SOMONI CURRENCY)

 

Signatures

President - Emomalij Rahmon (Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov - since November 1994)

Bank Chairman - Tolibzoda Firdavs Nazrimad (since January 2024) 

Date - 2000-2025

Watermark - Portrait of Ismail Somoni

Sizes - 156mm x 66mm 

Back - The Parliament building (National Assembly) of Tajikistan is situated on the eastern side of Somoni Square in Dushanbe. The construction for this building commenced in 2020 and was completed in 2024. Prior to the completion of this building, the Parliament was situated in the former Supreme Soviet building on Dousti Square. The national map of Tajikistan is printed in the top right corner.

 

...Botswana - 50 Pula 2025 Commemorative Note 50th Year of Bank Of Botswana 1975-2025

Lefatshe la Botswana

(The Republic of Botswana)

 

Banka Ya Botswana

(Bank of Botswana, Est.1975)

Currency - Pula (BWP)

 

This is a new commemorative note of 50 pula reportedly issued on 19.09.2025 to celebrate the country's 50th year of the Bank of Botswana (Golden Jubilee - 1975 to 2025). The central bank was established on 01.07.1975 with its head office located in the capital city of Gaborone. 

Botswana became independent from the British on 30.09.1966. Following independence, the country continues to be part of the Rand Monetary Area (RMA) currency system. The RMA is a monetary union of Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland (eSwatini) and was established to promote economic development between its member states. The South African Rand was the main currency but other member states also issued their own currencies and were exchangeable at par. 

In 1974, Botswana withdrew from the RMA system and established it's own central bank in 1975 with the new currency of Pula introduced in 1976. The word 'pula' literally means 'rain' in Setswana, a Bantu language indigenous to Southern Africa and spoken by more than 8 million people. The Bank's first governor appointed was Christopher H.L. Hermans (tenure 1975-1978). It should also be noted that he was reappointed as the bank governor from 1987 to 1997. In 1977, the central bank became a government fully owned institution. .  

Whilst this banknote celebrates the 50th anniversary of the central bank, the theme on the back honors the achievement of it's athletics performance in the 2024 Paris Olympic games. Botswana has now joined the very few countries that have issued banknotes honoring the Olympic games or participants that won medals in an Olympic game. Other countries that have issued banknotes that are also related to this game are China, Hong Kong Bank of China, Fiji, Macau Bank of China, South Korea and Russia.

This is the first time that the Bank of Botswana has issued a commemorative banknote since the country gained independence in 1966. Hopefully, as a collector, we would like to see more commemorative notes in the near future.

 

Fifty Pula 

Front - On the front, the main design is the image of the Central Bank of Botswana's building. In the bottom center is the commemorative logo for the Golden Jubilee and in the top right corner is the country's Coat of Arms. 

Next to the 50 denomination value in the left corner is an image of a 2488 carats diamond called Motswedi, the second largest diamond ever found. This diamond was unearthed at Botswana's Karowe Diamond mine in August 2024 and is reportedly worth around US$100 million dollars. Next to this diamond, the following text is printed: -

"At 2488 carats, Motswedi, the second* largest diamond ever 

found, was unearthed at Botswana's Karowe Diamond Mine."

 

Signatures

Minister of Finance - Ms Ndaba Nkosinathi Gaolathe

Governor - Cornelius Dekop

Date - 2025 (1975-2025)

Watermark - A rearing zebra and electrotype 50

Sizes - 144mm x 71mm 

Back - On the bank, the note honouring Botswana athletics that won medals in the 2024 Paris Olympics games. The main character is the Men's 200 meters gold medal winner, Letsile Tebogo, showing him holding up his winning gold medal. In addition to his gold medal, he also won a Men's 4 x 400 meters Relay Silver medal, together with Anthony Pesela, Busang Collen Kebinatshipi and Bayapo S. Ndori, as shown on the note after the medal presentation ceremony. Needless to say that the image of Letsile Tebogo appears twice on the same note. How lucky is that? Even the President of the country does not have such honour. Behind these athletics is a billowing Botswana's national flag. You can also see the large numeral '50' printed on the note too.

The Paris 2024 Olympic was not the first time that Botswana won any medals. In 2012, it won a silver medal in London and in 2020 (2021) a bronze medal in Tokyo. However, Paris 2024 was the first and only time that Botswana has ever won a gold medal in any sporting events in the Olympic games. In the background is printed with the large numerals of 50 in gold colour and the image of the national flag of Botswana.

Note* - The world largest diamond ever found was Cullinan Diamond, weighing 3,106.75 carats discovered in South Africa in 1905. Unfortunately since then, this diamond was then cut into smaller diamonds, including the Cullinan I weighing 530.2 carats, which is also the world largest colourless cut diamond. Guess who owns this stone now?  

...Morocco - 100 Dirhams 2025 Comm Africa Cup of Nations Football (AFCON) Final

المملكة المغربية

(Kingdom of Morocco)

al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyah

 

 بنك المغرب

Bank Al-Maghrib

(Bank of Morrocco, Est.1959)

Currency -  Dirham (MAD)

 

This note is issued to commemorate Morocco for hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations football final tournament (AFCON). The Africa Cup of Nations is a biennial football event and this is the 35th tournament played since its inception in February 1957. The tournament started on 21.12.2025 with the final played on 18.01.2026 in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. This is the second time Morocco has hosted this final. Previously, it hosted the final in 1988. In that final, Cameron won by beating Nigeria 1-0. 

This commemorative note illustrates the country's commitment to sports and highlights its new sporting infrastructures.   

A total of 24 nations in the African continent qualified for this final and the two final teams were Morocco (the host) and Senegal. Senegal won the tournament by beating Morocco 1-nil in the extra time. As the host nation, no doubt Morocco was the favourite to win. Unfortunately, they were beaten by Senegal this time. This was a very controversial game as Morocco was awarded a penalty in the 98th minutes (normal time plus add-on). Team Senegal was not too happy with the referee's decision and most of the Senegal players walked off the field in protest of the referee's decision, and they only came back after 14th minutes of walking off. As the story goes, the Moroccan player, Brahim Diaz took the spot kick by performing a lame panenka kick, and the ball went straight to the Senegal keeper, Edouard Mendy. IMO, it is never good to miss such a golden opportunity to win for the team and country, and why he tried the panenka kick instead of blasting the ball hard to either side of the goal post. Was it just arrogant or over confident? In a penalty shot, most goalkeepers would just dive to either side hoping to block the ball, but in this instant, Edouard Mendy hardly moved and he managed to catch the ball with both hands. Such a missed opportunity will haunt Brahim Diaz for years to come. As Morocco missed this golden opportunity, Pape Gueye of Senegal finally scored a solo stunning winning goal in the 94th minute of extra time. 

Well, you may think that this is the end of the story, but unfortunately it is not. Morocco immediately lodged an appeal with Confederation of Africa Football (Caf) and on 17.03.2026, Caf overturned the result and declared Morocco as the winner and awarded the result as 3-0 in favour of Morocco. The reason given was that once a team refuses to play and leave the ground before the end of regulation time without the referee's authorisation, then the team (Senegal) is considered to have forfeited the match and as such the loser. However, does this only apply to all players walking off or even apply just some of them walked off? Also if this is the case, then why does the referee allow the game to continue? Shouldn't the referee just stop the game and declare Morocco the winner immediately? 

And you think this would be the final end to this saga, right? No! On 24.03.2026, Senegal lodged an appeal with Caf against the decision. It was also reported that during a recent friendly game between Senegal and Peru (Senegal won 2-0) played in Paris, France on 28.03.2026, where Senegal paraded the AFCON cup to the crowd/supporters. Obviously, Senegal still have the trophy and will not give this up without a fight. This would be even funnier, if Senegal had issued commemorative coins celebrating this win, which luckily they have not. As of my posting, the winner for the 2026 AFCON cup is still out there. You just can’t see which team or perhaps you see two teams but can't see which one is the clear winner!

Twenty-four nations participated in the final:-

Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Comoros, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Mali, Morocco* (the host, Runner-Up), Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal* (Champion), South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The previous AFCON final in 2023 was won by Cote d'Ivoire. (note * - still in dispute)

The tournament was held in six cities in Morocco, namely - Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Tangier. Morocco has only won this tournament once in 1976 since it's inception, with Guinea as the first runner-up. In that 1976 final, the tournament final was held in Ethiopia. Back then, only eight nations were qualified in the final and the eight teams were split into two teams with round robin games. The top two teams from the two groups then played another round robin games with Morocco finishing as the top team and as such the winner for the tournament. 

It should be noted that in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final held in Qatar, Morocco finished in fourth position, which is the country's best performance in the FIFA World Cup final and also the best finish for an African country since its inception. Despite Morocco finishing 4th in the FIFA 2022 tournament, it failed to finish top 4 in the 2023 AFCON final. They were defeated by South Africa in the Round of 16 knockout stage. Morocco is also one of the co-hosts for the FIFA 2030 World Cup final together with Portugal and Spain. However, this FIFA 2030 final tournament will also be played in Argentina and Paraguay to honor the 100th year of the first FIFA World Cup in 1930. Only one match each will be played in these two South American countries. 

In addition to the commemorative note, coins minted in silver and copper alloy were also issued to celebrate this football final event as well. 

  

One Hundred Dirhams

Front - The portrait of King Mohammed VI. King Mohammed VI was born on 21.08.1963 and ascended to the throne on 23.07.1999, following the death of his father King Hassan II (b.1929-1999). The Coat of Arms is printed on the right side of King Mohammad VI. In the center bottom is the bird's-eye view of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat. The outline map of Africa is printed in the left and the Moroccan arabesque motif and a stylised football is in the center of the note. 

Signatures

Government Commissioner - ****

Governor - Abdellatif Jouahri

Date - 2025

Watermark - King Mohammed VI and electrotype 100

Sizes - 144.5mm x 70mm

Back - In the center right is a partial inside view of the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex (stadium). To the right is a globe with the African continent and with the map of Morocco highlighted. The globe is printed on top of numeral moving 5-point stars. Below the stadium is a silhouette of men playing football.

It should be noted that the map of Morocco is highlighted on the African map which also includes the Spanish Sahara (also known as Western Sahara) territory, which Morocco occupied in 1976. This territory was once occupied by the Spanish from 1884 to 1976, and Spain gave up this territory due to international pressure mainly from the United Nations. Today, it is still a disputed territory both claimed by Morocco and the Polisario Front, which called this disputed territory as Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic. Today, the territory is two-thirds occupied by the Moroccan and the remaining one third by the Polisario Front. Fighting between Morocco and the Polisario Front stopped in 1991 and since then, the dispute is still unresolved. I mentioned this here is that only a few countries recognised Morocco's sovereignty over this disputed territory. Again, there is no right or wrong answer here, just opinions. 

Also on the back, the Central Bank's name is also printed with the Tifinagh (Tuareg Berber) language. Tifinagh is also the official language of Morocco and Algeria. I am just wondering if this is the first time the language of Tifinagh is used on Morocco's banknote? 

Comment - This is one well overpriced note available in the market. The face value of this note is just over US$10 and yet, the selling price is between 5 to 7 times the value. To pay for this note with this kind of selling price is just ridiculous.