World History and Culture through Banknotes
The Banknote Den presents "The Many Faces Of Money", a collection of short essays by David Lok describing different aspects found on the face of banknotes from all over the world. The focus is mainly on the primary feature of each banknote and includes articles on:
Biographies of persons whose portraits are shown
Explanations of uncommon objects such as tribal masks
Informative histories of strange buildings
Retelling of legends on commemorative issues
Explanations of unusual practices depicted
Common yet unfamiliar design elements
History of people and places around the world
Links between North America, South America and European liberation symbols
An explanation of different security features found on many banknotes
A list of many superstitions concerning several aspects of money in general
These essays will focus on the main feature of who and what is actually depicted on the banknotes. Each essay is designed to maintain interest and arouse curiosity by being short, yet informative. Just click on the links to begin.
Comments and suggestions are welcome and appreciated! Email
A brief discussion on what money actually is and what it means to us.
Buzkhashi: The National Sport of Afghanistan played throughout the country and commemorated on this banknote.
A brief account of the troubled life of the famous poet of Portugal, Luis Vaz de Camoes remembered on this banknote of a Portuguese colony.
The Gurrmirringu, or the First Man, which is depicted on the one dollar bill, was painted by David Malangi an influential aborigine elder in Australia.
Azerbaijan Published in the IBNS Journal 50-3
Explore the legends and mysteries of Gyz-Galasy, the Maiden Tower, an ancient and mysterious building in the port city of Baku.
Not all serial numbers are quite so boring. Errors, radars, repeaters, etc are often sought after by collectors for their uniqueness and value.
Brazil Published in the IBNS Journal 50-2
Candido Rondon, military leader, explorer, professor and humanitarian, connected Brazilians via telegraphy and also through his ability to befriend hostile tribes and created a lasting method of interaction with indigenous peoples. He even escorted Theodore Roosevelt down the River of Doubt.
The famous painter Zahiry Zograf painted his most famous work "The Wheel of Life" on a monastery wall in 1851.
Artist Bill Reid, though suffering with Parkinson's disease, became a prolific artist. His work "Raven and the First Men" is depicted on the 20 dollar banknote. Read here about his artwork and the Haida Clan legend.
An explanation of the Tshokwe Mwano Pwo Mask depicted on this 50 Franc note.
Read the entertaining legend of Ina and the Shark, shown on this three dollar banknote.
Roger Boscovich, scientist who was an astronomer, diplomat, Jesuit, mathematician, philosopher and physicist, continental traveler and his range of amazing accomplishments.
Jan Zizka was an innovative and undefeated military leader, who wrote the first military code of conduct, developed mobile artillery, and even commanded battles when he was blinded.
The life of Hans Christian Andersen, that celebrated author of children's fairy tales.
Felix Eboue, a French Guyanan, was the first black governor of a Caribbean island, then governor of French controlled Chad where he was instrumental in helping the allies to defeat the Nazi’s in World War II. governor of French Equatorial Africa and much more.
Karl Ernst Von Baer collected human skulls, and was an incredibly diverse and talented scientist whose contributions spanned geology, embryology, physiology, meteorology, entomology and much more.
Without Venceslaus Ulricus Hammershaimb the Faeroese would likely have lost their language and much of their culture.
Fractional Currency of the United States
Did you know the USA had banknotes in denominations of less than 1 dollar? Here's why.
Colonialism in French Africa was less than the romantic view on their banknotes.
A brief introduction the the Touareg people of Africa.
Omar Bongo's rise and his less than stellar reign as leader of Gabon. He was the world's longest serving ruler of a non-monarchal country.
The story behind the famous "Vampire Banknote" of the German Weimar Republic.
Yaa Asantewaa was a political leader who led a revolt against the British demands for power and possession of a sacred golden throne.
Tarik ibn Ziyad led the Moorish invasion of the Iberian peninsula through Gibraltar.
Amilcar Cabral's fight for independence from Portuguese colonialism.
The fascinating story of the American lady on an Irish banknote.
The history of Marconi and his wireless telegraphy.
The amazing story of "Nanny of the Maroons" and her fight against British colonialism in the 1700's.
Sayyid Hussein bin Ali The Sharif of Mecca, and the shaping of the middle east after WWI.
King Sejong the Great, ancient King of Korea, created the Korean alphabet, encouraged scientific advances, published medical and agricultural manuals, created the sliding tax table, and much more.
The Nahr el Kalb, or Dog River, and it's historic importance to the region.
King Moshoeshoe I, his rise to power, fight against British colonialism, and how he maintained his people and culture through turbulent wars.
William Tubman, president of Liberia for 27 years. His policies steered Liberia through the 20th Century, bringing success to the national economy, well past his lifetime.
The Liberty Cap, also known as the Phrygian Cap, an ancient symbol of freedom through the ages.
Zemaite, gained fame through her stories of serfdom, national oppression, cultural identity, and the struggle for making a better life.
The massive Baobab tree is actually a succulent and has many beneficial properties.
Venustiano Carranza's rise and fall in revolutionary Mexico.
Hidden printing as a method to thwart counterfeiting.
Stefan cel Mare led Moldova through it's greatest period in history. He was also a cousin of Vlad Dracul, the inspiration for "Dracula".
Damdin Sukhbaatar, the great hero of Mongolia through the communist era.
Mohammed V and his efforts to win independence from French colonial rule.
Hendrick Witbooi's rise to power and his fight against German colonialism.
Diriangen, a tribal leader, and his fight to resist Spanish invasion and rule.
Herbert Macaulay’s political struggles to gain independence from British Colonial Rule.
Tupac Amaru II and his fight against the Spanish in the 1700's.
Bartolomeu Dias was a Portuguese explorer, sailed south around Africa, opening trade with India and Asia. He also helped to discover Brazil with Vasco de Gama.
Juvenal Habyarimana, president of Rwanda and the struggle against ethnic violence.
Emile Gentil. explorer, military officer, and colonial administrator in Africa is remembered on a banknote for an French island off Newfoundland.
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and Old Tom Morris, the father of modern golf.
Bai Bureh, reputed to be bullet proof via his magical powers, fought against the British in their takeover of this western African country.
Jan van Riebeeck, established and commanded a fort in South Africa, providing the the Dutch with a way station for their trade with Asia.
South Sudan NEW 04 December 2011
Dr. John Garang de Mabior, an instrumental military and political leader in the long and bloody struggle for the independence of South Sudan.
The famous Spanish painter Gustavo Bécquer.
Alfonso X, King of Seville, Holy Roman Emperor, established a legal system that promoted uniform rules throughout the kingdom, removing the feudal system.
The ancient Temple of the Tooth at Kandy is one of the Buddhist faiths holiest spots.
A list of the many superstitions throughout the world about money.
The rise to power of Gustav Vasa, the father of Sweden.
How Saladin came to power, his taking of Jerusalem, and why he later gave it away as a wedding gift.
What's this have to do with the price of tea in China? Well, for one, tea was money.
Tongan King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, avid sportsman and minister of health, and later the heaviest monarch in the world.
A simple list of who is pictured on modern US currency.
William Morris Meredith, on the ten-cent fractional currency, held many political offices, including Secretary of the Treasury.
The token commemorating John Dix, and his many legal and military posts.
State issued two dollar bill with an early locomotive.
Hidden images on banknotes to thwart counterfeiting.
Luisa Caceres de Arismendi was taken prisoner by the Spanish in 1815. She refused to give details of her husband Colonel Juan Batista Arismendi. Held for three years, she is viewed as a patriot.
More hidden images used to thwart counterfeiting.
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