The Biafran pound was the currency of the breakaway Republic of Biafra between 1968 and 1970.
The first notes denominated in 5 shillings and £1 were introduced on January 29, 1968. A series of coins was issued in 1969; 3 pence, 6 pence, 1 shilling and 2½ shilling coins were minted, all made of aluminium. In February 1969, a second family of notes was issued consisting of 5 shilling, 10 shilling, £1, £5 and £10 denominations. Despite not being recognised as currency by the rest of the world when they were issued, the banknotes were afterwards sold as curios (typically at 2/6 (=.0125 GBP) for 1 pound notes in London philately/notaphily shops) and are now traded among banknote collectors at well above their original nominal value.
The most common note is the 1968 1 Pound, with the 10 Pound and all coins being rare.
| Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1968 "First" issue) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Value | Obverse | Reverse | |
| 5/- | Palm tree over a rising sun | Four Igbo girls | ||
| £1 | Palm tree over a rising sun | Coat of arms of Biafra | ||
| Banknotes of the Biafran pound (1969 "Second" issue) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Image | Value | Obverse | Reverse | |
| 5/- | Palm tree over a rising sun | Four Igbo girls | ||
| 10/- | Palm tree over a rising sun | Oil refinery | ||
| £1 | Palm tree over a rising sun | Coat of arms of Biafra | ||
| £5 | Palm tree over a rising sun | A female weaver | ||
| £10 | Palm tree over a rising sun | A male carver | ||
Famous quotes containing the word pound:
“Socialized medicine, some still cry, but it’s long been socialized, with those covered paying for those who are underinsured. American medicine is simply socialized badly, penny wise and pound foolish.”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1952)