Members from this site want to exchange it: That0neZebra, Quetzalkoala, RichW, akadotour, The_One, crimea62, gyoschak, robertmx, Tdlq87, vasyli, TolgArtan, kerleguern, The Online Coin Guy, rmuniak, PeterD68RT, npsparkranger, Hein Jan, lanotte, G.IG., Avraham Cohen, farfechd, erniemix, AZORES, Shanto98, doanvietdung, joserleycarlos, nlemesh, m.ounis, kflo, Blair.Gilmore, Carlos Valerio, See the details of the banknotes available for swap, Numista type number (https://en.numista.com/help/what-is-the-n-number-visible-in-the-catalogue-33.html). The Governor of the Bank seems to have been Sylvester U. Uqoh (as deciphered from the signature on the Biafran bank notes), but the identity of any directors remains a mystery. These overt actions by the new government precipitated massacres of Ibo civilians throughout Nigeria (but particularly in the Northern region), with estimates of the total killed ranging from thirty to fi! The leaders of this movement were close to the Military Governor, and from late 1966 it seems that plans were being put in place for the Eastern Region to secede. These undelivered notes were sold into the collector market once they became unusable, and were sold in such numbers that the market became flooded. There were only two denominations in the first issue (five shillings and one pound), and according to Dr. Okigbo in his statement of 1 February the reason for this was the desire for the Biafrans to deflate their economy although the reality would appear to be insufficient planning. However, Nigeria saw the Biafrans as rebels who were seizing control of the Eastern Region, and determined that force was necessary to bring the recalcitrant state back under the control of the central government. The difference being that the Eastern Regions arms had supporters of a leopard (on the left) and a man carrying a spear an Alo (on the right), whereas the Biafran arms had two leopards supporting the shield. Ojukwu, C. Odumegwu (1969) Biafra Selected Speeches and Random Thoughts, Harper & Rowe, New York. However, matters became critical in January 1966 when a number of junior army officers attempted a coup. I shall send to the conference, when the time comes, economic experts who will advise on detailed arrangements with a view to safeguarding our future in this respect. (Akpan, 1972), It is most likely that when the time came to organise the first issue of Biafran notes, Ojukwu played a significant role. The present difficulties started when early last year [1968] Nigeria, on the advice of Whitehall, suddenly decided on its wicked and diabolical plan to dispossess our people of their wealth by means of the notorious currency switch. 5 shillings . Palm tree in centre with sunset behind, all with decorate circles containing words. Two days ago United Nations gave World bank order to start printing new Biafra currency. The Spirit of Biafra is indomitable and indestructible. The Guardian Nigeria Newspaper brings you the latest headlines, opinions, political news, business reports and international news. The Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, representatives from civil society organizations and academics to discuss issues of global concern, including the world economic outlook, poverty eradication, economic development . Because the notes are very common there is a tendency amongst collectors to ignore them. Opera News furthermore does not condone the use of our platform for the purposes encouraging/endorsing hate speech, violation of human rights and/or utterances of a defamatory nature. Russia's invasion of #Ukraine has had a devastating impact, with billions of dollars in damaged infrastructure and 8 million more Ukrainians living in poverty in 2022. With the short time at our disposal, we could only produce notes in denominations of 1 and 5/-; we could not produce coins. Auction 109. The two notes of the first series have a common front, although they are different sizes and different colours. See More, Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. However, at the end of the conflict it was estimated that between 115 and 140 million in Biafran currency was in circulation, indicating that a large proportion of the currency was delivered into circulation. Nearly all bank notes are printed on paper which does not fluoresce under ultra-violet light, and the use of fluorescing paper for these notes points very much to it being an emergency issue. Comments made in a speech by General Ojukwu in February 1969 (a year after the events), reflect the public despair that was expressed at the Nigerian decree (although Ojukwu himself could not have been surprised): The government has long been aware of the terrible experiences of our people over the issue of currency. However the Alo makes its reappearance on the back of the 5-pound note, this time having a white disc with the coat of arms laying over its shaft. #EndSARS: The Trend And Threat Of Fake Social Media Accounts, No evidence Buhari threatened local government chairmen with imprisonment over funds. of over 40% their face value. Although Biafra had made a concerted effort to produce the second series of higher quality bank notes, it would appear that their circulation was limited. Realising that their activities had led to a greatly reduced amount of money in circulation, the Biafrans prepared to replace the Nigerian currency, with this endeavour resulting in the first Biafran note issue. Einzig, Paul (1949) Primitive Money, Eyre & Spottiswoode, London. Under a separate decree Decree No.4 of 1967 (also known as the Banking Decree, 1967) the Banking Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was adapted to suit the requirements of the Republic of Biafra. Ivory Coast. Under this decree the bank was to be administered by a board consisting of a Governor and not less than four Directors, who were to be appointed by the Military Governor. The Bank of Biafra Decree also stated that all property held in the republic by the Central Bank of Nigeria was to be transferred to the Bank of Biafra. From April 1967 payments to federal-owned concerns (and employees) were stopped, import licenses to the region were with-held, and all foreign exchange standing in credit of the regional government was seized. BANK OF BIAFRA Akpan, Ntieyong U. As the situation in Biafra deteriorated it would appear ! According to one version, the planes broke down while flying in their cargo, and jettisoned the much needed supply of weapons, and evidently other cargo such as the Biafran bank notes, before returning to Lisbon. The black is for mourning them and in remembrance. Violent attacks threaten Nigeria's upcoming 2023 elections. International Bank Note Society Journal. Like any new nation, Biafra was keen to be identified with its own national symbols, and for this new republic these were primarily their coat of arms, the rising sun, and the palm tree all being used extensively on Biafran national instruments. The Biafran conflict is well documented, with many works addressing the struggle from both sides. BIAFRA 1 POUND ( 1968-69 ) PICK # 5a AU. Please browse the results of our past auctions using the navigation tools above. ONE POUND - 1 What is the cost of converting to local currency? The 5 shillings depicts four Biafran girls while the 1 pound shows the coat of arms. ), 1968 January 16 (17:7); May 2 (3:7); September 8 (Section 2, 40:5). that the sale of notes escalated and it is probable that some of the larger dealers of coins and bank notes offered to take large amounts of the notes. (Note: The Pointer News has published several questionable reports, many of them pro-Biafra. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members. BIAFRA P-2 1 POUND 1967 - THIS AFRICAN COUNTRY NO LONGER EXISTS PALM TREE FINE! For example, a comment by one viewer seems to question the veracity of the claim: Why all these nonsense misinformation on YouTube?.Can you all stop these gabbage propaganda news that is being posted every minute by many people in the disguise interest of Biafra.I have no problem seeking to make money from You Tube but your approach is isnt healthy._Uche Ozoemelam. Contemporary reports claim that many individuals presented their savings in local and foreign currency to the government so that weapons could be bought; later, gold and jewels were donated as contributions to the war effort. Perhaps, this was what made the video to spoon over 16,300 Views, 444 likes, and over 78 comments from different persons, expressing varied opinions. The notes of the second series are printed on non-fluorescing paper embedded with red and blue fibres. Above the shield is an eagle clutching a tusk or horn, and representations of the eagle appeared on a number of Biafran coins. Essentially, most of the institutions required for running the new republic existed as part of the Nigerian governments administration for the Eastern region. 1 pound (B102a, P2) Worth: $2.50 - $10.00. Its territory consisted of the predominantly Igbo-populated Eastern Region of Nigeria. This declaration led to the Nigerian Civil War. The People's Bank of China is aiming for widespread domestic use of the e-CNY, or digital yuan, in 2022. Biafra Gorgeous Crisp UNC Bill Note Currency, 1 Pound, BIAFRA NIGERIA 5 10 SHILLINGS 1 5 10 POUNDS 3 4 5 6 7 1968-1969 UNC COMPLETE SET, Great Historic Banknotes BIAFRA 1 POUND 1968-1969 P-5 UNC Lucky # DS0046555. There is the possibility that the Biafran currency was actually introduced earlier than stated, for in an interview at Umuahia on 18 January 1968, Gen. Ojukwu made the following comment: I understand that some women in the villages said that if this money [during the recall of Nigerian currency for Biafran currency] was wanted for the war they did not mind; the government should take it all. (Ojukwu, 1969). This section addresses the basic events of the secessionist period in Nigeria. News ), Opera News is a free to use platform and the views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author and do not represent, reflect or express the views of Opera News. The primary sources presented here are almost exclusively items that were published or stated during the 1966-1970 period. This prediction is now right on the mark: when Obasanjo gets the Conference report, he can do anything with it and to it. The Bahamas is the first country in the world with a central bank digital currency (a digital form of a country's currency). To make matters worse, one Biafran pound is worth 280 Naira! (After independence, a fourth region the Mid-west was created.) The first stamps of Biafra were issued on 5 February 1968. Visit these great CDN Sponsors. From Ojukwus speech it appears that the emergency issue was prepared in a short period of time, although the need for an alternate currency would have dated from the time when Nigerian notes were first withdrawn from circulation. The massacres, not surprisingly, created much fear amongst the Ibos living outside the Eastern Region, and in the weeks following the massacres (September 1966) some two million Ibos gave up their homes and businesses to seek refuge in their eastern homelands. Taken from their coat of arms, the rising sun became the dominant symbol of Biafra. False: the world bank has not approved the Biafran currency and has confirmed this claim to be false alongside shreds of facts gathered by Dubawa. flying from Lisbon when he dumped the cargo of Biafran notes at sea. ces had taken with them some two million pounds in Nigerian currency, taken from bank vaults in Benin. Biafra. The new currency went public on 28 January 1968, and the Nigerian pound was not accepted as an exchange unit. (These were also the colours of the Biafran flag three horizontal bars of red, black, and green, with the rising sun in the centre of the black band). It is not known exactly when these notes were introduced, but it was probably around February 1969, as Gen. Ojukwu announced the following in a speech to the Consultative Assembly and Council of Chiefs and Elders on 10 February: I am happy to announce to you that we have now been able to produce real Biafran currency of the highest quality. Thursday, 23rd . While this amount may seem large, it must be remembered that Biafra had a population of 14 million, and the amount in circulation would equate to 10 per person at the most optimistic estimate. Many impatient people surrendered their Biafran notes to speculators who were purchasing them at fifty Biafran pounds to one Nigerian pound. The war continued for two and a half years, with Biafra finally capitulating on 15 January 1970. Browse By Authority; Browse By Type; Browse Banknotes By? fty thousand. GOVERNOR - DIRECTOR @WorldBankECA. While each of the notes of the second issue have a degree of common design on their front, each denomination is distinct in its layout. 1 Pound P5a. During Nigerias final thrust of August 1968 (which proved not so final), Whartons planes did not arrive when needed. We hope you enjoy shopping at BNWorld, Inc. Mon-Fri 8:30am-12:30am (Order cut-off for deliveries using USPS is 12:00pm and FedEx before 3:00pm (PST)), Graded Special Condition and Serial numbers, Venezuela Bolvar Digital (Digitales) 2021, Iraqi Dinar for ZImbabwe Dollars or Venezuelan Bolivar, Indonesia Rupiah for ZImbabwe Dollars or Venezuelan Bolivar, Vietnam Dong for ZImbabwe Dollars or Venezuelan Bolivar, Mixed Banknotes for ZImbabwe Dollars or Venezuelan Bolivar. In the Eastern Region, from the time of the massacres, there arose a strong movement amongst the Ibos to break away from the federation. Paragraph 8 of the decree states: Currency notes and coins of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall remain legal tender in the Republic of Biafra until such further day as the Military Governor may specify., The Bank shall maintain existing parity of the Nigerian pound.. Reports exist that the Biafran government approached the Rothschild Bank either shortly after the outbreak of war, or at least by the end of 1967 in an effort to transform their holdings of Nigerian currency. He left for exile in Ivory Coast and spent many years in the . The headquarters of the Bank of Biafra were known to be located in Port Harcourt in early 1968, but the town fell to federal troops on 19 May of that year, and the headquarters of the Bank were probably relocated several times due to the fluctuating fortunes of the Republic. Promise to pay on Demand the sum of 1 Despite Ojukwus official speech on 27 January and an announcement to the international press on 30 January on the introduction of the new bank notes, there is some lingering doubt as to the official versions of events (which can sometimes be misleading, especially when recorded some time after the events). For more recent exchange rates, please use the. $80.00 0 bids $5.25 shipping Ended China 1960s Banknotes $30.00 1 bid $5.00 shipping 1d 12h China 2 Jiao 1980 scarce unc $1.00 1 bid $5.00 shipping 6d 6h The front of each note has a coloured pattern (around the outside of the central design) which contains very small print repeating the words Bank of Biafra followed by the denomination of the note e.g. PEACE - UNITY - FREEDOM Easterners holding Biafran Pounds, the currency adopted by the region when it declared . The pound (symbol ) was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1968 and 1970.. In August of that year, just after war had broken out, the Biafrans made a bold assault on the Mid-West region, and meeting little opposition moved to within 120 miles of Lagos. To purchase military equipment on the open market, Biafra had to have foreign exchange, and the efforts of the Biafrans to obtain this foreign exchange were quite exhaustive and quite varied. 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