Theme : Alphabets - 03

It took me a while, but finally I was able to find the complete set of the alphabet, used in Colombia.
The alphabet is the same as in all Spanish-speaking countries, and is the standard Latin alphabet, extended with some additional characters.
I could call it the 'Spanish' alphabet, but since the stamps are issued in Colombia, I'll name it the 'Colombian alphabet'.

The set consists of 30 stamps; 29 with characters and one with the message 'Learn to write'.
The set comes in 3 rows of 10 stamps each.

30 stamps on the 'Colombian alphabet'

The first stamp invite us to 'learn to write' and then the A-B-C starts:

A for Águila, B for Búfalo, C for Cóndor

Each of the stamps depicts an animal (except for the W and the X) - there are no animals starting with a W or an X in Spanish, so 'wagon' and 'xilófono' are used.

The 'CH' is considered a separate consonant, written with two letters C+H. The word 'chimpancé' is pronounced the same as in English.
Also the 'LL' is unknown in the English alphabet. In Spain it will be pronounced as 'lj' but in South America 'sj' is a more common way to pronounce the 'LL'.
If the animal is named 'lama' you could say in Spanish : la llama se llama Llama...

N and Ñ

Also typical for the Colombian (Spanish) alphabet is the 'Ñ' which we see in the country name 'España'. Because the 'ñ' is so typical for the alphabet, it is nowadays used on spanish stamps as a security mark.
The 'ñ' is cut out of many stamps as a security mark.

the 'ñ' cut out of the stamp

The full set of 30 stamps has been given a catalogue value of € 30, about $ 1 each.

to be continued...

Euro Promotion Notes 1998

After many years of cooperation on economical, cultural and legislational matters, the end of the 20th century meant the introduction of a new currency in the mayor parts of the European area.
In 1999 euro was officially introduced as a new currency, but it lasted till 2002 until the coins and banknotes were actually put in circulation.

As a way to say 'goodbye' to the old national currencies, and a 'welcome' to the new  notes, a lot of promotion was made. Informational posters with explanation on the new currency, as well as toy money for the kids to practise.

France issued some specimen notes, using the same sizes and colours as the the soon-to-be notes.
In a set of 8 notes, the mayor countries that started using the euro, were presented.

promotional material for the EURO currency

5-euro:
On the 5-euro, all (last) Italian notes in lira are shown

5 euro detail (Italy)

10-euro:
Here we see all Portugese notes in escudos

10 euro detail (Portugal)

The 20-euro note depicts the last issue of the Spanish peseta notes

20 euro detail (Spain)

50-euro:
For the next note, all of the last Dutch guilder notes were chosen

50 euro detail (The Netherlands)

100-euro:
Here we find the last notes issued in Belgian francs

100 euro detail (Belgium)

200-euro:
On the second highest denomination, we find all notes in German marks

200 euro detail (Germany)

500-euro:
Finally, we see the last notes in French francs

500 euro detail (France)

On the reverse side of the 'notes', we see all 12 flags of the intitial countries, forming the European monetary union (as well as two European flags with the Euro-sign.

reverse side of the promotional notes

detail of the reverse side of the 'notes'

Althoug this is (was) promotional material, these notes are offered on various vending sites, and prices vary from 1 - 2 USD / EURO per note.
For a full set, about 10 $ / € is asked.