Bank.notes

Collection Biafra #56

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1 pound Biafran pound

Biafra 1968 1946_1989 AU P-P-5a Needs review ✦ AI 90%
Front · IMG_6161.jpeg cropped
Back · IMG_6162.jpeg cropped
Pair check: ! check failed checked 2026-05-09T09:53:43.404457
Identity

Where & when

Country Biafra
Currency Biafran pound
Denomination 1 pound
Series name Republic of Biafra issue
Series year
Issue year 1968
Era 1946_1989
Legal status demonetized
Predecessor currency Nigerian pound
Successor currency Nigerian naira
Subjects & design

What's on the note

Front portrait
Reverse subject National coat of arms of Biafra
Watermark Palm tree motif
Color palette #8b7355,#d2b48c,#f5f5dc
Themes indigenous_culture,commemorative
Language / script Latin

Front: Palm tree rising from stylized sun, a central motif representing the tropical landscape and natural resources of Biafra. The palm tree was a key symbol of the short-lived Republic of Biafra (1967–1970), appearing on currency issued during the Nigerian Civil War to establish monetary independence from Nigeria. The note bears the promise 'Promise to pay on Demand the sum of ONE POUND' with signatures of the Governor and Director of the Bank of Biafra.

Back: The national coat of arms of the Republic of Biafra featuring an eagle surmounting a shield with a rising sun, flanked by two leopards, with the motto 'PEACE UNITY FREEDOM' on a banner below. This emblem was adopted by Biafra upon its declaration of independence from Nigeria in 1967, incorporating imagery meaningful to the Igbo people and other ethnic groups of the secessionist region. The coat of arms symbolized the aspirations of the breakaway state during its three-year existence.

Production

How it was made

Issuer Bank of Biafra
Issuer (native)
Printer Unknown
Engraver
Material paper
Dimensions (mm) 151x75

Signatures: Governor: Jack W. Udoh; Director: [signature illegible]

Security features: microprint,intaglio,see_through_register

Geography

Where in the world

Geography unknown for Biafra.

The story

Background & history

🎉 Commemorating Republic of Biafra independence and statehood.

The Republic of Biafra issued its own currency series beginning in 1968, after seceding from Nigeria in May 1967 under the leadership of Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. The Biafran pound was introduced to replace the Nigerian pound in the secessionist territory comprising the Eastern Region, primarily inhabited by the Igbo people. These notes circulated during the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970) until Biafra's surrender in January 1970, after which they were demonetized. The Bank of Biafra operated as the monetary authority of the unrecognized state. Biafran currency is now a historical artifact commemorating a tragic conflict that claimed over one million lives, many from starvation during the blockade.

Catalogue

Collector references

Pick # P-5a
Krause ID
Rarity tier scarce
Commemorative Yes
Series range 1968–1970
Provenance

How it came to me

Acquired date
Acquired from
Acquired price
Currency
Condition
Grade AU
Serial number D/1 0075518
Serial prefix D/1
Serial suffix 5518

Note shows light circulation with minor edge wear and slight discoloration but retains strong detail and no major folds or tears.

Valuation

What it's worth now

$30–$75
Type default range $30–$75
Valuation history (1)
datelowhighcurrencysourcenote
2026-05-08 16:16:26 30.0 75.0 USD ai from claude-sonnet-4-5
Technical

History & extractions

AI extractions (3)
research:anthropic · claude-sonnet-4-5 2026-05-09 09:37:47
status: error · step 10
research:openai · gpt-4o 2026-05-09 00:13:53
status: ok · step 10 · $0.0248 · 5782↓ + 1039↑ tokens
anthropic · claude-sonnet-4-5 2026-05-08 16:16:26
status: ok · step 1 · $0.0375 · 6345↓ + 1228↑ tokens
Edits & decisions (1)
confirm_ok 2026-05-10 08:34:07
confirmed_ok: False → True
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