Union of Burma Bank: Aung San Kyat Banknotes (1985-1987)

Explore the Union of Burma Bank: Aung San Kyat Banknotes (1985-1987), a distinctive part of Burma's odd denomination series. This article delves into the history and rapid demonetization of these particular Union of Burma Bank Aung San Kyat Banknotes, specifically the 15, 35, and 75 Kyats issues from this period. Following our examination of the Union of Burma Bank 1st series, which was the third issue to feature Aung San, we now turn to this next significant series. While some notes from the broader Burma Odd Denomination Series have been discussed previously, this piece will focus intently on the three banknotes within this series that feature Aung San's portrait from a unique perspective.

Brief History of Burma during the 1980s

The 1980s was characterized by the continued rule of the Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP) under the leadership of General Ne Win, who had been in power since the 1962 military coup. The decade began with Burma grappling with the consequences of Ne Win's socialist policies, which had led to economic stagnation and widespread poverty.

General Ne Win, who had seized power in a military coup in 1962, continued to exert significant influence even after stepping down as President in 1981. He was succeeded by San Yu, but Ne Win remained the de facto leader, maintaining control over the BSPP and the military. The regime pursued a strict form of socialism, characterized by state control over all aspects of life and isolation from the international community. There were also some odd reforms like shifting all cars to drive on the right despite most cars being right-hand drive.

Economically, Burma faced severe difficulties throughout the 1980s. To address these issues, the government introduced limited market-oriented reforms in the mid-1980s. These included measures to encourage private enterprise and reduce state control over certain sectors. However, these reforms were insufficient to reverse the economic decline.

On 3 November 1985, 20 Kyat banknotes of the earlier issues and 50 Kyat and 100 Kyat banknotes of the Union of Burma Bank 1st series were demonetized with a grace period, which allowed citizens to exchange their old demonetized notes for new ones. Eight days later, the first banknote of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series was issued. This was followed by two additional odd-denomination banknotes of this series. This article will discuss these three banknotes in detail.

If the above was not bad enough for the people of Burma and its economy, on 5 September 1987, the 25 Kyat banknote of the Union of Burma Bank 1st series and 35 Kyat and 75 Kyat banknotes of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series were demonetized without any prior warning or grace period. So citizens were unable to exchange these notes for new ones. Burma is a largely cash society where a lot of people most people prefer to keep their savings in banknotes rather than in the banks, the demonetization, therefore, rendered the savings of many Burmese citizens worthless.

The economic mismanagement and political repression led to growing social unrest. The dissatisfaction with the regime's policies and the worsening living conditions culminated in the 1988 Uprising, also known as the 8888 Uprising, which began on 8 August 1988. Aung San Suu Kyi, the daughter of independence hero General Aung San, emerged as a prominent leader of the pro-democracy movement. Her speeches and leadership galvanized the protesters and drew international attention to their cause.

In the wake of the uprising, Ne Win resigned from the BSPP, and the party agreed to hold multi-party elections. However, this promise of political liberalization was short-lived. On 18 September 1988, the military, led by General Saw Maung, staged a coup and established the State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC). Later, in 1989, the country's name in English was changed to Myanmar.

Union of Burma Bank 2nd Series

The earlier 20 Kyat banknotes, along with the 50 Kyat and 100 Kyat banknotes from the Union of Burma Bank's first series, were demonetized on 3 November 1985. This was closely followed by the issuance of the 75 Kyats banknote, the first banknote of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series on 11 November 1985.

Later on 1 August 1986, two additional odd denomination banknotes, i.e. the 15 Kyat banknote and 35 Kyat banknote were issued. These are the second batch of issuance of banknotes Union of Burma Bank 2nd series.

In August 1987, the banknotes widely in circulation in Burma were the 1 Kyat, 5 Kyat, 10 Kyat, and 25 Kyat of the Union of Burma Bank 1st series that were issued in the 1970s and the 15 Kyat, 35 Kyat, and 75 Kyat of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series that were issued in 1985 - 1986. 1 Kyat, 5 Kyat, and 10 Kyat banknotes of the earlier series were also in circulation as they have not been demonetized.

On 5 September 1987, without warning, the government demonetized the 25 Kyat banknotes of the Union of Burma Bank 1st series and the 35 Kyat and 75 Kyat of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series. About two weeks later, on 22 September 1987, if the first three banknotes were not bizarre enough, the 45 Kyat and 90 Kyat banknotes were issued. These are the third and last batch of issuance of banknotes Union of Burma Bank 2nd series.

The banknotes of this series were printed by the state-run Security Printing in Wazi (SPW), set up with the technical assistance of Giesche & Deverient (G&D). We will now discuss the 15 Kyats, 35 Kyats, and 75 Kyats of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series.

Key Common Features

On the front side, on the top right, is the name of the banknote issuer name in Burmese, "pyi daung zu myanmar naing ngan ban" i.e. Union of Burma Bank. The issuer name in English "Union of Burma Bank" is shown on the rear side of the banknote at the bottom center.

The prefix and serial numbers of the note are displayed at the top left and bottom right in red color. The one at the top left is a combination of English letters and Western Arabic numerals on a white background, while the one at the bottom left is a combination of Burmese letters and Burmese numerals on a colored background. As the serial number at the bottom left is on a colored background, they could be difficult to see, especially in notes that are well-circulated and in poor condition. In both places, the prefix and serial numbers are displayed on the same line.

The reverse side of each note features a statue representing Burmese religious and folklore themes.

15 Kyat Banknote

The 15 Kyat paper money, issued on 1 August 1986, measures 149 x 71 mm. The color scheme of this note is blue-gray, green, and red. It is unclear why 15 is chosen as the denomination but looking at this denomination alongside the 35 note which was issued on the same day, both are multiples of 5. If anyone has any info, please do share.

The banknote bears the portrait of Aung San wearing a uniform without any hat or cap. This portrait is similar to the one on the 25 Kyats banknote of the previous series. To the left of Aung San's portrait, there is a watermark window containing his image. The banknote has a solid security thread with printed Burmese text.

The denomination in the Burmese script "tit se nga kyat" is shown on the front center right in a single line. The denomination in English "FIFTEEN KYATS" is shown on the reverse center slightly towards the right in two lines. The value 15 in Burmese numerals is shown on the front at top right and bottom left and on the rear at bottom right, while the value 15 in Western Arabic numerals is shown on the front at bottom right and on the rear at top left and bottom right.

The main illustration on the reverse is a "zawgyi," an alchemist his supernatural abilities to attain long life so that they can wait to see the future Buddha. At the center, there is also a traditional floral illustration.

Denomination: 15 Kyat
Issuer: Union of Burma Bank
Size: 149 x 71 mm
Color: Blue-gray, green, and red
Obverse Design: Aung San without cap
Date: None
Signature: None
Material: Paper
Security Thread: Solid thread with printed Burmese text
Watermark: Aung San
Printer: Security Printing Wazi
Issue Date: 1 August 1986
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B1007; Pick 62

35 Kyat Banknote

The 35 Kyat paper money, also issued on 1 August 1986, measures 155 x 74 mm. The color scheme of this note is brown-violet and purple. It is unclear why 35 is chosen as the denomination but looking at this denomination alongside the 15 note which was issued on the same day, both are multiples of 5. If anyone has any info, please do share.

The banknote bears the portrait of Aung San wearing a peaked cap, similar to his look during his 1947 visit to London. This portrait is similar to the one on all denominations of the 1958 issue which is the first issue to have Aung San's portrait. To the left of Aung San's portrait, there is a watermark window containing his image. The banknote has a solid security thread with printed Burmese text.

The denomination in the Burmese script “thone se nga kyat” is shown on the front center right in a single line. The denomination in English "THIRTY FIVE KYATS" is shown on the reverse center slightly towards the right in three lines. The value 35 in Burmese numerals is shown on the front at top right and bottom left and on the rear at bottom right, while the value 35 in Western Arabic numerals is shown on the front at bottom right and on the rear at top left and bottom right.

The main illustrations on the reverse are a wood sculpture of Sakka, standing Nat Thar (the traditional Burmese spirit) with a lotus bud and Hintha (a mythical duck that has been adopted as the symbol of the Mon people).

The banknote was demonetized on 5 September 1987.

Denomination: 35 Kyat
Issuer: Union of Burma Bank
Size: 155 x 74 mm
Color: Brown-violet and purple
Obverse Design: Aung San with peak cap
Date: None
Signature: None
Material: Paper
Security Thread: Solid thread with printed Burmese text
Watermark: Aung San
Printer: Security Printing Wazi
Issue Date: 1 August 1986
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B1008; Pick 63

75 Kyat Banknote

The 75 Kyat paper money, the first note introduced in the series, was issued for circulation on 11 November 1985. The banknote measures 161 x 77 mm. The color scheme of this note is brown, red-orange, green, and gray.

Unlike the previous two denominations, there is at least some explanation for this denomination. Based on various publications Ne Win was born in either 1910 or 1911. It is, therefore, widely believed that this denomination was issued to commemorate Ne Win's 75th birthday.

The banknote bears the portrait of Aung San donning a traditional Burmese national dress with a cloth cap (gaung baung). The portrait closely resembles the one featured on the 50 Kyat and 100 Kyat banknotes from the previous series, which were demonetized on November 3, 1985, just days before this banknote was released. The front also features a carved frieze with dragons. To the left of Aung San's portrait, there is a watermark window containing his image. The banknote has a solid security thread with printed Burmese text.

The denomination in Burmese script “khu hnit se nga kyat” is shown on the front center right in a single line. The denomination in English "SEVENTY FIVE KYATS" is shown on the reverse center slightly towards the right in three lines. The value 75 in Burmese numerals is shown on the front at top right and bottom left and on the rear at bottom right, while the value 75 in Western Arabic numerals is shown on the front at bottom right and on the rear at top left and bottom right.

The main illustration on the reverse is the “law ka nat”, a deity revered by the world, as a celestial peacemaker and also a sign of prosperity.

Like the 35 Kyat banknote, the banknote was demonetized on 5 September 1987.

Denomination: 75 Kyat
Issuer: Union of Burma Bank
Size: 161 x 77 mm
Color: Brown, red-orange, green and gray
Obverse Design: Aung San wearing a cloth turban
Date: None
Signature: None
Material: Paper
Security Thread: Solid thread with printed Burmese text
Watermark: Aung San
Printer: Security Printing Wazi
Issue Date: 10 November 1985
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B1010; Pick 65

In addition to the three banknotes mentioned above, this series also contained two additional banknotes that were issued after the demonetization of the 25 Kyat banknote of the Union of Burma Bank 1st series, i.e. the 45 Kyat and 90 Kyat banknotes, both being multiples of 9. These banknotes were issued on 22 September 1987 and were covered in the Burma odd denomination series article.

This fourth series of banknotes featuring Aung San, i.e. the banknotes issued by the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series, with its odd denominations is certainly a very interesting series to collect. Further, this series of banknotes was the last series to bear the English name BURMA, as later in 1989, the country's name in English was officially changed to Myanmar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What historical context led to the issuance of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series banknotes in the 1980s?

A: The 1980s in Burma were marked by continued one-party socialist rule under General Ne Win and severe economic stagnation. The demonetization of earlier high-value notes in November 1985, followed by the issuance of these new banknotes, was part of the regime's ongoing attempt to manage the economy, amidst growing social unrest that culminated in the 1988 Uprising.

Q: What denominations were part of the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series that feature Aung San's portrait?

A: The three banknotes in this series that prominently feature Aung San's portrait are the 15 Kyat (issued August 1986), 35 Kyat (issued August 1986), and 75 Kyat (issued November 1985). This series is notably part of Burma's "Odd Denomination Series."

Q: How did the portraits of Aung San differ across the 15, 35, and 75 Kyat banknotes in this series?

A: The 15 Kyat note features Aung San wearing a uniform without a cap (similar to the 25 Kyat of the 1st series). The 35 Kyat note shows him wearing a peaked cap (similar to the 1958 issue). The 75 Kyat note displays Aung San in traditional Burmese national dress with a cloth cap (gaung baung), resembling the 50 and 100 Kyat notes of the previous series.

Q: What was the fate of the 35 Kyat and 75 Kyat banknotes of this series?

A: Both the 35 Kyat and 75 Kyat banknotes were demonetized suddenly and without prior warning or grace period on 5 September 1987. This demonetization rendered the savings of many Burmese citizens worthless, as Burma was largely a cash-based society.

Q: Where were the Union of Burma Bank 2nd series banknotes printed?

A: All banknotes in this series, including the 15 Kyat, 35 Kyat, and 75 Kyat notes, were printed by the state-run Security Printing in Wazi (SPW), which had been established with technical assistance from Giesche & Deverient (G&D).