Nepal Commemorative Banknotes: History & Design

Delve into the Nepal Commemorative Banknotes: History & Design, where Nepal's rich past is vibrantly celebrated on its currency. These special issues, like King Birendra's Silver Jubilee (25/250 Rupees), Gyanendra's Coronation (10 Rupee Polymer), and the Nepal Rastra Bank Golden Jubilee (50 Rupee) notes, serve not only as legal tender but also as cherished collectors' items. This article will specifically detail Nepal's notable commemorative banknotes, preserving significant moments in the country's history.

25th Years of King Birendra's Reign

King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was the King of Nepal from 1972 until his tragic death in 2001. His reign was marked by efforts to modernize Nepal and improve the standard of living for his people. In 1997, to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King Birenda’s accession to the throne, Nepal issued special commemorative banknotes with special values of 25 rupees and 250 rupees. These banknotes are a testament to his contributions and the significant period of his reign.

King Birendra is remembered for his efforts to maintain Nepal's sovereignty and his attempts to bring about democratic reforms. His reign witnessed significant changes, including the 1990 People's Movement, which led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy in Nepal. The commemorative banknotes celebrating his silver jubilee are a tribute to his leadership and the era of transformation he oversaw.

25 Rupees Nepal Commemorative Banknote

The 25 rupee banknote issued to commemorate King Birendra's 25 years of reign is a beautifully designed piece of currency with an interesting denomination to match the occasion.

The banknote depicts King Birendra in a regal portrait wearing the royal plumed crown. The obverse side of the note also shows dragons, the parliament building, the royal palace of Hanumandhoka palace, a historic palace located in the heart of Kathmandu, the obverse of a Nepalese coin, and the silver jubilee logo.

The reverse side of the note shows a red cow on the field, which is a revered animal in Hinduism, together with two Chinthe in front of pillars, and the Nepal Rastra bank logo. The view of Mount Machhapuchare or Machhapuchhre is also portrayed in the banknote. It is considered in Nepal as a symbol of beauty and purity and is a sacred peak for the Gurungs and the people of Chomrong. The mountain is said to be sacred as a home to the god Shiva. Given the aforesaid, scaling its highest peak is banned even today.

Denomination: 25 Rupee
Issuer: Nepal Rastra Bank
Size: 140 x 70 mm
Color: Green, light brown, and orange-red
Obverse Design: King Birendra in plumed crown
Reverse Design: Red cow on plains of Terai
Date: None
Signature: Satyendra Pyara Shrestha
Material: Paper
Security Thread: Windowed thread with demetalized NRB
Watermark: Crown
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient
Issue Date: 11 April 1997
Prefix: क (Ka) 1 to क (Ka) 40
Replacement Prefix: क (Ka) 41
Number of Notes Issued: 40 million
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B247; Pick 41

250 Rupees Nepal Commemorative Banknote

In addition to the 25 rupee banknote, a 250 rupee banknote was also issued to mark the silver jubilee of King Birendra's reign. This banknote is highly distinctive because of its unusual denomination.

The design of the 250 rupee note is very similar to the 25 rupee note with a few exceptions. The main difference is that the 250 rupee uses a different color scheme, is wider, and has a hologram on the front center. In addition, at the top center on the front of the 250 rupee banknote is the commemorative text in Nepalese text and at the bottom center on the front is the text in English “Commemorative Issue on the Special Occasion of Silver Jubilee of His Majesty’s Accession”.

Denomination: 250 Rupee
Issuer: Nepal Rastra Bank
Size: 172 x 70 mm
Color: Purple, blue, green, and red
Obverse Design: King Birendra in plumed crown
Reverse Design: Red cow on plains of Terai
Date: None
Signature: Satyendra Pyara Shrestha
Material: Paper
Security Thread: Windowed thread with demetalized NRB
Watermark: Crown
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient
Issue Date: 10 April 1997
Prefix: क (Ka) 1
Number of Notes Issued: 500,000
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B248; Pick 42

Note: Banknotes with no hologram upper center front are known and have been cataloged in the Banknote Book.

Coronation of Gyanendra

Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev was crowned as the King of Nepal on 4 June 2001 following the tragic assassination of King Birendra and much of the royal family. Interestingly, as a child, he was a king from 1950 to 1951 when King Tribhuvan, his grandfather, took political exile with the rest of the family in India. In September 2002, to commemorate his coronation in 2001, Nepal issued a special 10 Rupees polymer banknote, which holds historical significance.

The coronation of Gyanendra came at a time of great turmoil and change for Nepal. The royal massacre on 1 June 2001 left the nation in shock and mourning. Gyanendra's ascension to the throne was met with mixed reactions as he attempted to navigate the country through its grief and political instability. His reign, however, was short-lived, as he was eventually dethroned following the 2006 People's Movement, which led to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal democratic republic.

Gyanendra’s coronation could be considered a historical moment as it is the last coronation in Nepal and might even be the last time a Hindu monarch is coronated as, at the time of its dissolution in 2008, the Kingdom of Nepal was the only Hindu monarchy in the world.

10 Rupees Nepal Polymer Commemorative Banknote

The 10 rupee polymer banknote issued for the coronation of Gyanendra is notable for being the first polymer banknote introduced in Nepal. The polymer note was printed by Note Printing Australia. The use of polymer marked a significant step forward in the evolution of Nepalese currency.

The obverse side of the 10 Rupees polymer banknote features a portrait of Gyanendra wearing a traditional Nepali crown and royal dress. The image of Lord Changunarayan and the obverse of the Nepalese coin are also shown. The reverse side displays three bucks, a coat of arms, and the Nepal Rastra bank logo. The serial number on the left is printed in black, while on the right is printed in red.

The 10 Rupees polymer banknote also includes a transparent window and a commemorative text around the see-through window which means “issued on the auspicious occasion of King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah's accession to the throne - 2058”. The regular 10 rupee banknote issued in 2005 does not have any commemorative text around the see-through window.

Denomination: 10 Rupee
Issuer: Nepal Rastra Bank
Size: 133 x 70 mm
Color: Brown, green, and lilac
Obverse Design: Gyanendra in plumed crown
Reverse Design: Three bucks
Date: None
Signature: Tilak Bahadur Rawal
Material: Polymer
Security Thread: Windowed thread with demetalized NRB
Watermark: Plumbed crown
Printer: Note Printing Australia
Issue Date: 30 September 2002
Prefix: ङ (Nga) 31 to ङ (Nga) 80
Replacement Prefix: ङ (Nga) 81 to ङ (Nga) 85
Number of Notes Issued: 50 million
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B251; Pick 45

Nepal Rastra Bank Golden Jubilee

The Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) is the central bank of Nepal, responsible for issuing currency, regulating financial institutions, and maintaining monetary stability in the country. In 2006, the NRB celebrated its golden jubilee, marking 50 years of its establishment. To commemorate this milestone, a special 50 rupee banknote was issued, highlighting the achievements and contributions of the central bank.

The establishment of the NRB was a pivotal moment in Nepal's economic history. It was created to oversee the monetary policy, regulate the banking sector, and ensure financial stability. Over the past five decades, the NRB has played a crucial role in modernizing Nepal's financial infrastructure, promoting economic growth, and enhancing the overall financial system. The Golden Jubilee commemorative banknote celebrates these achievements and recognizes the NRB's enduring impact on Nepal's economy.

50 Rupees Nepal Commemorative Banknote

The 50 rupee banknote issued for the Golden Jubilee of the Nepal Rastra Bank is a testament to the central bank's role in shaping Nepal's financial landscape.

The obverse side of the banknote features a portrait of Gayendra, the reigning monarch at that time, wearing the traditional Nepali Dhaka topi (hat), NRB Golden Jubilee logo, Mount Machhapuchre, NRB head office building, and Ashoka pillar in Lumbini. The reserve side of the note features Mount Ama Dablam and two Danphe birds, which is the national bird of Nepal. There is also the text "Nepal Rastra Bank Golden Jubilee Year 2005”.

Denomination: 50 Rupee
Issuer: Nepal Rastra Bank
Size: 142 x 70 mm
Color: Yellow, red, and green
Obverse Design: Gyanendra wearing a traditional hat
Reverse Design: Two Danphe birds
Date: None
Signature: Bijay Nath Bhattarai
Material: Paper
Security Thread: Windowed thread with demetalized NRB
Watermark: Head of Gyanendra facing outwards
Printer: Giesecke & Devrient
Issue Date: 8 September 2006
Prefix: ख (Kha) 97 to ख (Kha) 100, ग (Ga) 1 to ग (Ga) 16
Replacement Prefix: ग (Ga) 17
Number of Notes Issued: 50 million
Catalog Number: Banknote Book B267; Pick 52

Conclusion

Nepal's commemorative banknotes serve as important reminders of significant events, figures, and milestones in the country's history. From the 25th year of King Birendra's reign to the coronation of Gyanendra and the Nepal Rastra Bank's golden jubilee, these banknotes capture the essence of Nepal's rich cultural heritage and historical significance. Each banknote is meticulously designed, incorporating traditional motifs, advanced security features, and vivid imagery that reflect Nepal's past and present.

Collectors and enthusiasts alike treasure these commemorative banknotes for their historical value, artistic beauty, and cultural significance. They provide a glimpse into Nepal's history and offer a tangible connection to important moments in the country's past. As Nepal continues to evolve, these commemorative banknotes will remain cherished symbols of the nation's heritage and progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What three significant historical events do Nepal's commemorative banknotes celebrate?

A: Nepal's commemorative banknotes celebrate three notable events: the 25th Year of King Birendra's Reign (Silver Jubilee), the Coronation of Gyanendra, and the Nepal Rastra Bank Golden Jubilee.

Q: What unique denominations were issued to commemorate King Birendra's 25th Year of Reign?

A: To commemorate King Birendra's Silver Jubilee in 1997, Nepal issued special commemorative banknotes with unique denominations of 25 Rupees and 250 Rupees. The 250 Rupee note is particularly distinctive due to its unusual value.

Q: What makes the 10 Rupee banknote commemorating Gyanendra's Coronation historically significant?

A: The 10 Rupee banknote issued for Gyanendra's Coronation in 2002 is historically significant for being the first polymer banknote introduced in Nepal. It features Gyanendra's portrait, Lord Changunarayan, and a commemorative text around a transparent window, marking a major step in Nepalese currency evolution.

Q: What key design elements are featured on the 50 Rupee banknote commemorating the Nepal Rastra Bank Golden Jubilee?

A: The 50 Rupee banknote features a portrait of King Gyanendra wearing a traditional Nepali Dhaka topi, the NRB Golden Jubilee logo, Mount Machhapuchre, and the NRB head office building on the obverse. The reverse displays Mount Ama Dablam and two Danphe birds (Nepal's national bird), along with "Nepal Rastra Bank Golden Jubilee Year 2005" text.

Q: Which were the Nepal commemorative banknotes printed?

A: The 25 Rupee and 250 Rupee banknotes for King Birendra's Silver Jubilee, as well as the 50 Rupee note for the Nepal Rastra Bank Golden Jubilee, were all printed by Giesecke & Devrient. The 10 Rupee polymer banknote for Gyanendra's Coronation was notably printed by Note Printing Australia.