South America

Peru has issued a new series of banknotes. Although dated 2019, the new designs only emerged over the last couple of years. From this series we offer examples of the 20 pesos (P-W197) The front is dominated by a portrait of Jose Maria Arguedas Altamarino, a 20th century poet, novelist, and anthropologist who was also fluent in the native Quechuan language. The back features an Andean condor in flight as well as a close up of its head. Uncirculated.

These 500 intis issued by Peru in 1987 honour a hero from a previous era. A portrait of Jose Gabriel Condorcanqui also known as Tupac Amaru II appears to the right.(P134b) He led a rebellion again the Spanish in the 18th century. He died in the struggle and he became a mythical figure in the story of Peru’s fight for independence. The back of the note shows a hiker in the Andes, a decorated vase and a stylized eagle. Uncirculated.

Surinam 2 1/2 gulden 1985 P119 Orange. Blue bird on branch/ Dam and iguana. Unc

Suriname 25 gulden 1988 P132b Green and orange Man at l, street scape at bottom, armed revolutionaries at r/ Beautiful toucan with flowers at l, crowd listening to a speech at r Unc

These 250 gulden notes dated 1988 were issued by Surinam (P134). The front has a portrait of Anton de Kom, a resistance fighter and author. The back depicts a toucan, a native of the forests in Surinam. To the right is a vignette of de Kom addressing a meeting outside his father’s house in 1933, the year he was eventually arrested and taken to the Netherlands. Crisp Uncirculated.

In the year 2000, Surinam issued what is arguably one of the prettiest series of banknotes. The theme celebrated the vivid flora and fauna found in this South American country. The fronts are dominated by colourful native birds including the Rednecked Woodpecker and the Redbilled Toucan while the backs feature plants and flowers set against a view of government buildings. Included in our trio are the 5,10 and 25 gulden (P146-8) Crisp Uncirculated.

The economy of Venezuela has been ravaged by rampant hyperinflation in recent years. In 2008, the government revalued the currency by 100 to one. Ten years later in 2018, five noughts were lopped off when the currency was revalued yet again 100,000 to one These new notes from Venezuela are dated 2019 and show yet again how higher and higher denominations were needed to keep up with inflation. The highest values that have been issued are the 10,000, 20,000 and 50,000 bolivares (P-New) Unlike previous issues, they have a common design. On the front, we find a portrait of Simon Bolivar while on the back a view of the National Pantheon of Venezuela in Caracas is illustrated, otherwise known as the Mausoleo del Libertador Simon Bolivar and where he was buried in 1842. This Uncirculated trio was printed by the Russian Security Printers Goznak and have a 2mm wide security thread. Uncirculated Venezuela High value Trio at just £11.50

Venezuela 5 bolivares 2014 P89 Orange and grey Printed vertically. Negro Primero/ Armadillo. Unc

Venezuela today has become synonymous with an economy in meltdown. In 2007 a new currency of Bolivares Fuertes was introduced to great fanfare. As the economic situation deteriorated, the government was forced to issue a revalued series of banknotes which was embarrassingly delayed being put into circulation because the printers demanded payment before delivery. This is the series which we are able to offer now. Our set comprises 7 values dated between 2016 and 2017 ranging from the 500 bolivares to 20,000 bolivares (P93-99). They are particularly colourful with illustrations of prominent citizens on the front and local fauna including birds, dolphins and armadillos. A wonderful set which we managed to obtain just before the government realised it needed to revalue yet again and rename the currency bolivares soberanos. Crisp Uncirculated 7 note Venezuela.