Liberia Reaches for the Stars

The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) is currently replacing its 2016 banknotes with a new series, which include updated designs and a new high denomination of L$1,000. The other notes in the series are the L$20, L$50, L$100, and L$500. In addition, the L$5 and L$10 denominations have been minted as coins.

Most of the updated designs are the same as the previous series, and retain the same portraits with stylised changes, featuring a change of image only on the L$500. To raise the security and attractiveness of the notes, RollingStar i+ security threads are embedded in four of the denominations, including the L$1,000, whilst a RAPID® security thread appears in the L$100.

All five denominations are now being printed by Giesecke+Devrient over a two-year period, and strongly represent both the traditional and modern features of Liberia. The front of the L$1,000, for example, shows the 16 ethnic groups of Liberia, as a symbol of the origin of the country and national unity. The back of the note features the Capitol Building, which is the home of Liberia’s National Legislature.

The L$20, L$50 and L$100 denominations show a new stylised design of the same portrait on the front with a few modifications to differentiate them from the old banknotes, whilst the motifs on the reverse remain the same. The L$500 shows a new front picture of the seven ladies who designed the Liberian flag, recognising the role of women in the formation of Liberia and national development. The back features an adult hippopotamus (Coreopsis liberiensis) and calf.

The notes feature substrate-embedded security, and all retain the same watermark and the Liberian coat of arms as their predecessors.

Significantly, four of the denominations are secured with state-of-the-art RollingStar i+ threads. Each has a five-pointed star (representative of Liberia as the first independent republic on the African continent); and a dynamic pulsing effect when tilted. They also incorporate a different colour changing effect. The text ‘CBL’ and the denomination number can be seen as Cleartext when held up to the light. The RAPID thread from Crane Currency on the L$100 also incorporates the star.

All the notes incorporate a feature on the front for the visually impaired through the raised print, to assist in distinguishing different denominations. Each denomination has specific pairs of lines of the raised ink, in ascending order.

The new banknotes have a finely tuned balance of both new and publicly recognised older features which will provide the public with a reliable and secure currency. Their introduction is being supported with a public education campaign and an app for the public to understand the security features of the notes.

The notes are currently going into circulation, along with the new coins, which are round, nickel-plated steel, with new designs and features, showing significant differences from the previous coins. The L$5 weighs 3.6g and the L$10 4g. The L$5 has the image of President Edward James Roye, while the L$10 has the image of President Joseph Jenkins Roberts. On the reverse of both is a map of Liberia, the text ‘Lone Star Forever’ and the denomination numeral. They were produced by The Royal Mint in the UK.

Existing coins, in denominations from 5 cents to L$1, are still legal tender, although rarely used. The CBL has invited the public to exchange these for the equivalent value of the new coins, as it is for the old series banknotes, which will co-circulate with the new series pending their gradual removal between now and 2024.