Belgian notes pre euro 02c - series 1978

1000 bef

The third  note in the 1978-1992 series is a 1000 belgian frank note (€ 24.79).
On this note we see the image of André Ernest Modeste Gretry (1741-1813).
At the time of his birth (and death), Belgium was not yet created. He was born in Liège, currently Belgium, but at the era of life and work of Gretry, part of the French empire.
Although he was born in 'Belgium', he spent most of his life in France. He was burried at Père-Lachaise (Paris) but according his last testemony, his heart was returned to Liège.

André Ernest Modeste Gretry

Gretry wrote not less than (comic) operas, of which L'amant Jaloux (the jealous lover), Richard Coeur de Lion (Richard Lionheart), Zémire et Azor (Zémire and Azor), are the most important.
Being a contemporary of Mozart, and working in the same business, was probably not easy.

His first opera, 'the Samnite weddings' (written in 1768, and reviewed in 1776) was no success at all, nevertheless, the great master himself, Mozart, took one aria out of this opera and wrote 8 variations on it.
see: 8 Variations on "Dieu d'amour", K. 352/374c : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73dMs1vOu6o

The 1000 belgian franc note, with french on the front side this time, shows the composer at a younger age.

1000 belgian francs - 1982 Gretry

At the reverse side we see some tuning forks, and 'views of the inner ear'.

1000 belgian francs back - 1982

The banknote exists with 5 different signature combinations.

to be continued...

0-euro notes : 1 g. Dinant : Adolphe Sax

Where in my previous post, I talked about the most famous building in Dinant (Belgium), today I present its most famous inhabitant, Adolphe Sax (1814-1894).
Sax already appeared on a 200 belgian franc note in 1994 :
http://rainbowstampsandcoins.blogspot.com/2021/01/belgian-notes-pre-euro-01b-series-1994.html

Adolphe Sax and the saxophone (2019)

 

To honour Adolphe Sax, a 0-euro note with his image, and of course a saxophone, was issued in 2019.
Entering the city from train station, will lead to the Charles de Gaulle bridge.
The bridge was destroyed on 12 May 1940, to prevent field marshal Rommel taking the city.
The city was eventually liberated by the American forces on September 7, 1944.
Now, you can find several saxophones along both sides of the bridge.

Ch. de Gaulle bridge with saxophones

Each saxophone is representing an allied country . Some saxophones are not on the bridge but can be found in the city.

My dog overlooking Dinant city

0-euro notes with Adolphe Sax, can be bought in the souvenir shop nex to the main church.
There you also find the longest stairways of Belgium, 408 steps bring you to the citadel, 150 m higher.
You can take the cable car next to it too, or another option is to walk through the woods, starting at the open air theater in Dinant.

Open air theater, Dinant

Belgian notes pre euro 01b - series 1994

200 BEF

The second note in the last series of Belgian banknotes is a 200 Belgian francs note.
It is the first note of 200 franks that was issued in Belgium, now the denomination of €200 is used and has similar colours.

200 Belgian francs with Adolphe Sax

 
The 200 note is dedicated to Adolphe Sax - yes the one from the saxophone.
On November 6, 1814 Adolphe Sax was born in the south of Belgium, in the city of Dinant.
Adolphe got his musical knowledge and skills from his father, Charles-Joseph, who moved to Brussels in 1815, as he became the leading maker of wind instruments, and supplier of the Royal Dutch Court.
In 1815, Belgium and The Netherlands were one country - as a result of the defeat of Napoleon in Waterloo.

Adolphe Sax, father of the saxophone

Originally the saxophone was made out of wood, and is therefore in the section of the wind instruments.  Because of the noumerous valves and levers, the wood broke easily, so the changed the instrument into brass.

The 200 francs note, shows a young Adolphe Sax, his instruments and music notes.

reverse side of 200 Belgian francs 1994

On the reverse side, a jazz combo is playing the saxophone and the city of Dinant is depicted.
In Dinant, several statues refer to its most famous citizen.

Statue of Adolphe Sax in Dinant

Besides the micro text and the hidden images (similar to the 100 BEF note), we can see the text "200 F" in the security thread

various security marks

The image of Sax in the watermark, appears white with a dark signature when the banknote is in the normal position, and opposite when held against the light.
Face value is still € 4.96 but good copies cost at least double.

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Indonesia 3

In this new post, 2 more Indonesian banknotes.
First comes the 10,000 rupiah note.

10,000 rupiah note - Indonesia - series 2016

Here Frans Kaisiepo is depicted on the front side. Frans Kaisiepo involved in a rebellion that broke out in Biak protesting against the Dutch government in March 1948. In 1949, Kaisiepo rejected the appointment as the delegate leader of Netherlands New Guinea in the Dutch-Indonesian Round Table Conference - because he didn’t want to be dictated by the Dutch government. As a result, Kaisiepo was arrested from 1954 to 1961. In 1964, he served as the Governor of Irian and continuously promoted Papua as a part of Indonesia.

Tari Pakarena - Pakarena dance

The Pakarena dance is a traditional dance from South Sulawesi. The dancce is accompanied by 2 drum heads (gandrang) and a pair of instruments such as a flute instrument (puik-puik). It is unclear,  since when this dance exists and who created the Pakarena Gantarang Dance, but people believe that it is related to the appearance of Tumanurung. Tumanurung is an angel who came down from the sky to give instructions to humans on earth. The instructions given were in the form of symbols in the form of movement, now shown in the dance. 

The second note is a 20,000 rupiah note. 

20,000 rupiah note - Indonesia - series 2016

Dr. G.S.S.J. Ratulangi (or Ratu Langi), played a role in the ratification of the first constitution of Indonesia. He was also the first governor of Sulawesi. He studied in the Netherlands and in Switzerland, where he obtained a doctorate in mathematics and science. He died at the age of 58.

The reverse side continues with local dances of Indonesia.

On this note, we find the 'Tari Gong' or 'Gong dance'.

Tari Gong - Gong Dance

It is a traditional dance from East Kalimantan, more exactely from the Dayak Kenyah tribe. With the dance, the locals welcome a special guest or the birth of the tribal chief's baby.

The dance is performed on a platform (the Gong) and expresses beauty, elegance and intelligence.

more to follow...

Currency Today : Indonesia 2

The second note in the 2016 banknote series of Indonesia, is a 2000 rupiah note.
On the front side, Mohammad Hoesni Thamrin is depicted.

Mohammad Husni Thamrin

Thamrin was an active member of a group that fought for Indonesian self-determination, national unity, a democratically elected party answering to the Indonesian people, and solidarity between Indonesians and the Dutch to combat fascism. He died in 1941, few years before Indonesia's independence.

2000 rupiah note of Indonesia (2016)

At the reverse side of the note, again we see a traditional dance from Indonesia.

Here, the 'Tari Piring' or 'plate dance' is shown. The dance is a traditional dance from the Minang people, living in West Sumatra.

In this dance, the dancers hold plates in both hands and move them without falling down. In the mean time, they tap a metal ring on the plates, to create a sound and a rhythm.

The dance can be performed by females, males or couples.

Minang people, dancing the plate dance (Tari Piring)

Third note in the set is 5000 rupiah, depicting Dr. Idham Chalid.

Dr. K.H. Idham Chalid

Dr Idham Chalid was a former politician and minister of Indonesia. He died in 2010, and was honoured as National Hero in 2011.

5000 rupiah note of Indonesia (2016)

The reverse side of the 5,000 rupiah note, also depics a dancer. It shows the Gambyong dance,  a typical dance from east Java. Java is known for more traditional dances

Ladies performing the Gambyong dance

to be continued ...

Currency Today : Indonesia 1

In 2016, Indonesia replaced all of its banknotes (once more).
7 banknotes between 1000 and 100,000 rupiah.
All notes have the same hight, but slightly longer as the value goes up.

full set of Indonesian notes (series 2016)

On the side of each note, the ink is palpable. The lowest value (1000) has 7 sets of parallel stripes, and then one pair less as the value goes up, ending with one set of two parallel stripes on the 100,000 note. This makes the notes recognizable for the visually impaired.

palpable ink on the side of the notes

On the first note (1000 rupiah) we see Tjut Meutia, also known as Cut Nya(k) Meutia. She was a freedom fighter from Aceh (the city that was hit by the giant tsunami on Christmas 2004).

Cut / Tjut Nja(k) Meuthia

1000 rupiah Indonesia - 2016

At the reverse side of the note, we see a man with an instrument, the 'Tari'.
The tifa is a musical instrument typical of Eastern Indonesia especially Maluku and Papua. There are different types of tifa musical instruments like Tifa Jekir, Tifa Dasar, Tifa Potong, Tifa Jekir Potong and Tifa Bas.

Tifa instrument

The top of the drum is covered with deer skin. In the past, tifa was also used as a means of communication. The marinjo, the village announcer used the tifa to announce a village meeting. There were several tifa rhythms for different messages.

The word 'Tari' means 'dance.
Next to the musician on the note, we read 'tari tifa' or 'tifa dance'.

more to follow ...