25 piastres 1981

Common. Despite its age and foreign appeal, eBay sold price data from 2013-2026 shows consistent market activity with prices typically ranging from $2-$13 for UNC examples, with most sales clustering in the $4-$8 range. The 2019 catalog value for UNC condition stands at $2.50. The high frequency of sales across multiple condition grades and the moderate prices achieved indicate robust supply and steady collector demand without scarcity. This is a regular-issue note from a major African central bank with presumably substantial print runs, making it accessible to most collectors.

Issued during the presidency of Jafar Muhammad an-Numeiri (1969-1985), this banknote reflects Sudan's post-independence monetary system and the Bank of Sudan's establishment as the central issuing authority. The prominent display of the president's portrait alongside the national emblem and the Kosti bridge (a significant engineering landmark) underscores the nation-building agenda of the period. The Democratic Republic of Sudan designation on the obverse reflects the official state nomenclature of the early 1980s political era.

The obverse features a three-quarter portrait of President Jafar Muhammad an-Numeiri positioned at left, wearing characteristic Sudanese national dress including a white turban and cloth wrapping, depicted wearing glasses. The center of the note is dominated by an ornate hexagonal security frame containing a national eagle emblem. To the right, a spiral shell motif accompanies a crescent moon symbol, referencing Islamic heritage. The reverse showcases the Kosti Bridge (also known as Makwar Bridge), a multi-arched engineering landmark spanning the Nile, rendered in detailed line work. The bridge is flanked by decorative corner medallions bearing the denomination, with the national seal prominently positioned at top center. Both sides employ fine geometric border patterns and intricate background engraving.

Front side: 'البنك السودان' (Bank of Sudan), 'جمهورية السودان الديمقراطية' (Democratic Republic of Sudan), '25' (denomination), '1981' (year of issue), and serial number 'A 18 3834399'. Back side: 'BANK OF SUDAN' (English designation), 'Twenty-Five Piastres' (denomination in English), '25' (repeated in all four corners within ornate frames), and partial Arabic text at bottom margin.

Intaglio (line engraving) throughout, characteristic of high-security banknote production. The fine horizontal and vertical line work, ornate geometric patterns, and detailed portraiture are consistent with traditional steel engraving methods employed by established banknote security printers of the era. Based on Pick catalog records for this series, the Bank of Sudan utilized De La Rue or similar British security printers for this 1981 issue, though specific printer attribution is not definitively marked on the note face itself.

This specific specimen bears serial number prefix 'A 18' with serial number 3834399. The 1981 issue date places it in the first release series. No major varieties (such as signature variations, overprints, or color deviations) are documented for Pick P-16 in standard catalogs. Collectors should note that serial number prefixes and specific numbering sequences may vary across notes from this print run, but these do not typically command premium values unless the prefix is exceptionally rare or historically significant.