Currency Today : Venezuela 14

In this post, I present the last two Venezolan notes (at this moment).

200 BsS and 500 BsS

Again 2 new designs were used.
The 500 note has Simón Bolívar on the front side, but now he is depicted from the right hand side.

The back side of the notes puts two more vulnerable animals in the picture.

reverse side of 200  BsS and 500 BsS

The parrot on the 200 BsS note, is a large parrot or small macaw.
The bird is not that uncommon in captivity, and often found as pet. However in the wild, the Guacamayo is vulnerable.
Although the picture on the banknote is only one colour, the Guacamayo/Papagayo Militar/Verde is known for its colourful, but predominal green plumage, resembling a military uniform

Guacamayo on 200 BsS/VeS

Guacamayo or Papagayo Militar or Verde

The last note in the 2018 set, is a 500 Boliváres Soberanos note (equivalent of 50,000,000 Boliváres fuertes).
As it is the highest denomination (for now), it shows the national hero Simón Bolívar on the front side.
At the back, an endemic bird is depicted. This is the only animal on the banknotes that is not endangered of vulnerable.

Venezuelan Turpial

The Venezuelan Turpial or Tourpial is the national bird of Venezuela.

Venezuelan T(o)urpial

In 2015, there was an international beauty contest in Tokio, Japan.
Each miss represented her country in a dress that referred to her country.
Edymar Martínez did this in a 'turpial' dress. I don't know if the dress made any difference, but she won the 2015 Miss International competition.

Miss (Turpial) Venezuela - Miss International 2015

Edymar Martinez representing Venezuela poses in a national dress during the 55th Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo, Japan, November 5, 2015. Photo: Reuters

Currency Today : Venezuela 11

In January 2018, the old Boliváres Fuertes notes have lost that much value, that it became impossible to use the old notes.
Imagine you paying 1,000,000 boliváres for a coffee, with 10 notes of 100,000.

In stead of printing new notes with even higher denominations, they dropped 5 zero's, so 100,000 Boliváres fuertes became 1 Bolivar Soberano (sovereign).
The 1 Bolivar is a coin, from 2 Boliváres on, new banknotes were printed.

They fit seamlessly with the previous types of notes. The note mentionnes 'bolváres', but in fact it's a new currency. They old Boliváres are officially VEF (fuertes) and the new ones VES (soberanos).
When looking up exchange rates, the two types are as different as dollars and roubles, except, they were issued in the same country.

Again, the banknotes are in high quality printing, and very attractive in design.

The first two note in the VES-set are 2 and 5 Boliváres. The date of issue is January 15, 2018.
We see signature H (similar to the issues in 2017).

signature H

At the back side of the notes, we find again some endangered or vulnerable animals that live in the Venezolan region.

2 and 5 Boliváres Soberanos / VES

For the 2 BsS (VES) note, the design is that of the Yellow shouldered parrot.

a very popular but vulnerable pet in Venezuela

yellow shouldered parrot

What's in the name. The Yellow shouldered parrot, is a yellow shouldered parrot...
It lives in the north of Venezuela, from the tropical Islands Margarita and La Blanquilla to the Dutch Caribean Island of Bonaire. In Aruba the bird is extirpated, and possibly also on Curaçao.

The 5 boliváres-note shows a critially endangered endemic frog, the 'sapito rayado' or Veragua stubfoot toad or even Rancho Grande harlequin frog.
This frog's habitat was the Caracas surroundings, but due to human influence (Caracas is known as the concrete jungle), the animal is now seriously threatned.

Sapito rayado - Veragua stubfoot toad

also known as the Ranch Grande harlequin frog

to be continued ...

Theme : Zodiac signs 11j

10/12 Year of the Dog (2006)

The 10th sheet in the series of Zodiac signs, is reserved for the year of the Dog.

The Dog is the most likeable sign in the Chinese zodiac. Like his animal namesake, he is loyal with a capital "L". He is the one, who people are most likely to turn to when they need help, and the dog person will come through every time. That is because the dog person is sensitive to others and empathizes with them, particularly if someone has suffered an injustice, reacting quickly with the same feeling, as though he/she had been personally offended. Friends value these qualities, and know that they can rely upon their dog friend to keep a promise or remain cool in a crisis. Dog types are honest, intelligent and straightforward. They will take on any responsibility that is given to them and you can be sure that they will do their job conscientiously and well.

Dog people are often born old and get younger as they age. They take everything very serious. You may hear the Dog complains a lot about street lamps, about traffic, or about weather, but as he gets older, the less he takes his own criticisms seriously. 

year of the Dog sheet (2006)

The sheet is simply beautiful again. And so is the stamp on the sheet :

This year's issue is rather 'modest' but the sheet is still impressive.
The dog is embossed again, and we see that when we flip the sheet again:
Also the dog on the sheet (next to the stamp) is embossed, as well as 2 squares.

Some famous dogs are : Pluto, Lassie, Snowie, Laïka, Scooby-doo, Snoopy, Gromit ... (joke)

Some Famous Dogs: Brigitte Bardot, Candice Bergen, David Bowie, Kate Bush, Naomi Campbell, Cher, Petula Clark, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sally Field, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Ava Gardner, Michael Jackson, Sophie Loren, Shirley MacLaine, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, David Niven, Sydney Pollack, Elvis Presley, Prince, Sade, Claudia Schiffer, Slyvester Stallone, Sharon Stone

Years of the Dog : 1910 - 1922 - 1934 - 1946 - 1958 - 1970 - 1982 - 1994 - 2006 - 2018 - 2030
Next : Pig

Theme : Zodiac signs 11i

9/12 Year of the Rooster (2005)

Canada's 9th sheet in the series of Zodiac signs, is dedicated to the Year of the Rooster.
The rooster is the 10th sign in the cycle.

People born in the year of Rooster are very usually observant. Most of the time, they are very accurate and precise with their observation. These people certainly love find themselves in the spotlight, they love entertaining friends and adore meeting new people, and even unexpected and uncertain circumstances are not a barrier for them. It is almost impossible to find someone born in this year looking dowdy or untidy. The fact is that these people are usually one of the best dressed and groomed of all other people. They are actively interested in clothes, colours, and accessories, and usually are very critical about their own appearance as well as about appearance of those they are surrounded by. People born in the year of rooster like to be noticed and flattered. Such person might dress a little flashily with this in mind, but in his heart, he/she is completely conservative. Roosters - type always appear attractive and beautifully turned out. They are sociable and love to receive attention. Others may criticize them for being exhibitionists but the fact that they are a compassionate, wise and have a brave nature which comes to the fore when others need their help makes up that deficiency. 

fan shaped sheet with 'normal' stamp
bar code label at the bottom

This year's issue is rather 'modest' but the sheet is still impressive.
The sheet is printed in gray colours, and the stamp itself is breight, with golden feathers on the rooster.

stamp from the sheet

 Parts of the stamp and two squares on the sheet are embossed.

embossed image of the rooster
embossed squares (top right side)

Some Famous Roosters: Dirk Bogarde, Barbara Taylor Bradford, Michael Caine, Eric Clapton, Joan Collins, Errol Flynn, Melanie Griffith, Richard Harris, Goldie Hawn, Katherine Hepburn, Diane Keaton, Jayne Mansfield, Steve Martin, James Mason, Somerset Maugham, Bette Midler, Van Morrison, Willie Nelson, Kim Novak, Yoko Ono, Dolly Parton, Michelle Pfeiffer, George Segal, Peter Ustinov. 

Years of the Rooster : 1909 - 1921 - 1933 - 1945 - 1957 - 1969 - 1981 - 1993 - 2005 - 2017 - 2029
Next : Dog

Theme : Zodiac signs 11c

3/12 Year of the Rabbit (1999)

The third sheet in the Zodiac set, was issued in 1999, this is the year of the rabbit.

The rabbit is one of the most delicate animals among all 12 animals. Rabbits are usually kind and sweet and of course, popular people. Nobody ignores them, for they are good company and know how to make the best of themselves.

1999 Canada : year of the Rabbit, round sheet

A rabbit's home is always a beautiful one cause Rabbit people are famous for their artistic sense and good taste. They are also usually well-dressed. Go check out your Rabbit friend's closet, I bet you will find many expensive and beautiful clothing there.
But even though they are popular and loved by their friends and family, rabbit people are also pessimistic. They are conservative and insecure, and that explains why most of the them don't like changes.

rabbit stamp out of the sheet

Some Famous Rabbits: Harry Belafonte, Ingrid Bergman, Lewis Carroll, John Cleese, Peter Falk, Peter Fonda, James Fox, David Frost, Cary Grant, Oliver Hardy, Bob Hope, Whitney Houston, John Hurt, Michael Keaton, John Keats, Julian Lennon, Arthur Miller, Roger Moore, Tatum O'Neal, George Orwell, Neil Simon, Jane Seymour, Dusty Springfield, Sting, Orson Welles, Norman Wisdom.

Years of the Rabbit : 1903 - 1915 - 1927 - 1939 - 1951 - 1963 - 1975 - 1987 - 1999 - 2011 - 2023

Next : Dragon

Commemorative coins of Turkey : 02

Athough the date on the next coins is 2010, these commemorative coins of Turkey were emitted in January 2011.
It's the second set of coins with endangered or extinguised species of Turkey.

Front side of the commemorative coin

Ankara Cat

Sivas Kangal Dog

Face Value: 1 Türkish Lira

Metal: CuprıNickel

Diameter: 26,15 mm

Weight: 8,3 gr

Bimetallic with plain edge

Max. Issue: 11.000 in Turkey, 4.000 to export

Design: Nalan Yerlibucak

Released : 03.01.2011 (till 03.01.2013)

The first coin (Ankara cat) is better know as the Turkish Angora Cat.

The name 'angora' comes from the Ankara region, historically known as Angora.

Turkish Angora cats are extremely active, intelligent, and involved.
The eyes may be blue, green, or amber, or even odd-eyed (one blue and one amber or green).

green eyes - blue eyes ...

... or one of each ?

The second coin depices the Sivas Shepard Dog that has its origine in the Kangal district in the Sivas province in Turkey.

This dog is not really a herding dog, but as a flock guardian that lives with the flock to actively fend off wolves.

Turkish Kangal Dog

to be continued...