50 birr 1976 specimen
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1 saleAbout This Note
This is a 1976 Ethiopian 50 birr specimen note (Pick P-33as) in uncirculated condition, featuring striking pink/mauve and blue coloring with educational themes on the obverse. The note displays a large red diagonal 'SPECIMEN' overprint and exhibits sharp, clean printing quality with no signs of wear, circulation, or damage. As a specimen note rather than circulating currency, this piece represents an institutional presentation example from the National Bank of Ethiopia's 1976 series.
Common. Despite being a specimen note, this denomination and series was produced in substantial quantities for institutional distribution and presentation purposes. The catalog value of $110 UNC (per realbanknotes.com 2019 data) and observed eBay trading activity at $10-30 VF range indicates steady but unremarkable collector demand typical of common African notes from this period. Specimen overprints were routine production variants, not special limited editions.
Issued during the Ethiopian Year 1969 (Gregorian 1976), this note was produced under the Derg military regime that ruled Ethiopia from 1974-1991. The obverse design prominently features an educational theme with two figures engaged in teaching/learning activities, reflecting the regime's emphasis on literacy and modernization programs, while the reverse depicts Fasilides Castle in Gondar, one of Ethiopia's most significant historical landmarks from the 17th-century Gondar period, anchoring the note to the nation's pre-Derg imperial heritage.
The obverse features a left-facing profile portrait of a historical or national figure on the left side, with a central vignette depicting two figures (one seated, one standing) engaged in an educational or instructional activity, symbolizing Ethiopia's commitment to education. The left side displays the Ethiopian flag, while the right features the national coat of arms. The reverse showcases Fasilides Castle (Gondar), a fortified structure with distinctive towers and crenellations representing 17th-century Gondarine architecture. Musical instruments appear on the reverse left side, while industrial or mechanical emblems appear on the right, reflecting themes of cultural heritage and modernization. Ornamental circular medallions containing the '50' denomination appear in opposite corners, with decorative rosette patterns and geometric borders throughout.
FRONT: 'ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራቲክ ሪፐብሊክ ኢትዮጵያ' (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia), 'National Bank of Ethiopia', 'ሃምሳ ብር' (Fifty Birr), 'FIFTY BIRR', 'LEGAL TENDER IN ETHIOPIA', 'ሞላላት የምስሪት' (Ministry of Education), serial number 'AA 000000', and 'SPECIMEN' overprint. BACK: 'ፈደራላዊ ዲሞክራቲክ ሪፐብሊክ ኢትዮጵያ' (Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia), 'ሃ.ብ' (Birr abbreviation), 'ሃ.ብ - 50 -' (Birr - 50), denomination numerals '50', and 'SPECIMEN' overprint.
Intaglio engraving (recess printing) combined with multicolor offset lithography, evidenced by the fine line engraving details, complex geometric background patterns, multiple color layers with subtle gradation effects, and the sharp, crisp impression quality visible throughout. This was standard practice for National Bank of Ethiopia banknotes of this era; the note was likely produced by Thomas De La Rue or similar European security printer specializing in African central bank currency.
This is specifically the specimen variety (P-33as) of the 1976 50 birr note, as indicated by the prominent red diagonal 'SPECIMEN' overprint and specimen-grade serial number 'AA 000000'. The catalog notes a later variety (P-39) with different signature(s), suggesting signature variations exist within this denomination. The note exhibits the standard Ethiopian Year 1969 dating system (Gregorian 1976) and features Ministry of Education thematic elements distinguishing it from other 50 birr denominations in the series.
