The Liberian Dollar is the official currency of the Republic of Liberia, a Western African country that has struggled mightily to become a free and independent nation. The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) issued several new banknotes in September 2022, with images of key historical figures and everyday citizens who represent the nation’s pride, challenges, and triumphs.
The new banknotes are in denominations of L$20, L$50, L$500, and the highest denomination of L$1,000. The L$100 banknote was issued late in 2021, the first in a new family of Liberian dollar currency to be printed in 2021, 2022, and 2024
Compared to previous issues, the denominations L$20 and L$50 feature a new design of the same portrait on the front side. The L$500 note shows a new picture on the front. The back side pictures remain the same on all these denominations. As with previous issues, the new notes are printed on paper.
While the visual designs are similar to previous issues, the new notes incorporate some changes and, more importantly, they include advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting.
Visual design
All the 2022 notes feature the following visual elements: The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) seal on the front and back—the CBL seal features crossed kissi money—and front and back sides of a 50-cent coin dated 1969. The text on both sides is in English.
Design of each denomination
Here is a look at each individual denomination, with details about their unique features.
L$20 The twenty-dollar banknote is primarily brown, tan, and purple. The front features a portrait of Liberia’s 18th President, William V.S. Tubman. The back depicts a man on a farm. Unique security feature: a gold-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized stars.
L$50 The main colour scheme of the fifty-dollar bank note is red, brown, and purple. On the front is a portrait of Liberia’s 20th President, Samuel K. Doe and a palm plantation. The back depicts a man trimming an oil palm tree. Unique security feature: a purple-to-gold windowed security thread with demetalized stars.
L$500 The five-hundred-dollar banknote features shades of purple, blue, and yellow. Seven women designers of the Liberian flag appear on the front. On the back are a hippopotamus adult and calf. Unique security feature: a green-to-blue windowed security thread with demetalized stars.
L$1,000 The one-thousand-dollar banknote has a colour scheme of blue, brown, and pink. It features the masks of the “Sixteen tribes of Liberia” on the front side and the Capitol building in Monrovia on the back side. Unique security feature: Gold-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized stars.
Sophisticated security features
All the new 2022 banknotes include the following security features:
- Security thread: Stars with pulsing effect and dynamic colour changing effect (L$20, L$50, L$500 and L$1000 in different colours). The text “CBL” and the denomination number can be seen when held up to the light. When tilted, the thread for the L$100 shows pulsating, purple-coloured stars.
- Watermark: When holding the note against the light, the coat of arms of Liberia and the text “CBL” are visible.
- Intaglio printing: The banknotes have areas with raised ink which can be felt by running the finger over it.
- See-through feature/registration device: The see-through feature shows fragments of the 5-pointed Liberian star on the front and back. When the note is held up to the light, the front and back patterns result in a complete image of the 5-pointed Liberian star.
- For the visually impaired: Raised (tactile) ink “slashes” on the left and right edges of the banknote can be felt when running your fingers over the edges of the banknote to distinguish between different denominations.
- Microtext.
Final notes on Liberian banknotes
The new banknotes will circulate alongside the previously issued notes, and all are considered legal tender. The United States Dollar is also a legal tender in Liberia.
Sources/References:
Central Bank of Liberia
Banknote Industry News
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