Collection Inspiration: 50th Anniversaries

A 50-year anniversary is also called a golden anniversary, because it is a truly special occasion for those celebrating it. Such an anniversary marks half a century of accomplishments, sacrifice and love, and it also celebrates the people who made the event possible, the joys brought about by its passing and even the hardships encountered during the time.

Today’s column marks the 50th installment in the Collection Inspiration series. To celebrate the occasion, Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) has gathered banknotes celebrating the 50th anniversaries of independence, royalty and other major events from around the world. There are more than fifty 50th anniversary banknote issues from around the world, and these are just some of our favorites.

Ten Banknotes Celebrating Golden Anniversaries (and more!)

Independence: Zambia (2014) 50 Kwacha

One day before the celebration of Zambia’s 50th Independence Anniversary (held annually on October 24, 2014), the Bank of Zambia revealed its second-ever commemorative banknote: the Zambia 50 Kwacha. Unlike other commemorative tender, this celebratory note was the first of its kind to be considered legal tender in Zambia. While the obverse of the commemorative note shares the same design as the common 2013 50 Kwacha note, the reverse is stamped with a “50th Independence Anniversary” text line and features portraits of the past and present presidents of Zambia.

Other notable banknotes that were issued to commemorate 50 years of independence include:

• the Isreal, Bank of Isreal 1998 50 New Sheqalim Commemorative (Pick# 58)
• the Nigeria, Central Bank of Nigeria 2010 50 Naira Commemorative (Pick# 37)
• the Guyana, Bank of Guyana 2016 50 Dollars Commemorative (Pick# 41)
• the Malaysia, Bank Negara 2007-2008 50 Ringgit Commemorative (Pick# 49)
• the Trinidad & Tobago, Central Bank 2012 50 Dollars Commemorative (Pick# 53)
• the Samoa, Central Bank ND (2012) 50 Tala Commemorative (Pick# 42)
• five Singapore 2015 10 Dollar Commemorative notes and one 50 Dollar Commemorative note (Picks# 56-61)
• the Barbados, Central Bank 2016 50 Dollars Commemorative (Pick# 79)
• the Bangladesh 2021 50 Taka Commemorative (Pick# 68)
• the Jamaica, Bank of Jamaica 2012 50, 100, 500, 1,000 and 5,000 Dollars Commemorative notes (Picks# 89-93)
• the Maldives 2015 5,000 Rufiyaa Commemorative (Pick# 25a)
• the Pakistan, State Bank 1997 5 Rupees Commemorative (Pick# 44)
• the Fiji, Reserve Bank 2020 50 Dollars (Pick #121)
• the Malawi, Reserve Bank 2014 1,000 Kwacha (Pick# 68)
• the Sri Lanka, Central Bank 1998 200 Rupees Commemorative (Pick# 114)
• the Congo Democratic Republic 2010 500 Francs Commemorative (Pick# 100)

New Government: China (1999) 50 Yuan

The People’s Republic of China was formed in 1949 and saw significant change brought to China. Its founder, Mao Zedong, is pictured on the front of this 50 Yuan commemorative note. The note’s back shows the National Emblem of the People’s Republic and is meant to showcase the achievements of the nation over the previous 50 years.

Another notable banknote that was issued to commemorate 50 years of a newly established government is:

• the United Arab Emirates 2021 50 Dirhams Commemorative (Pick# P-35)

Reign: Bermuda (1953-2003) 50 Dollars

This 2003 Bermuda 50 Dollars note was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. Queen Elizabeth II ruled as the Head of the Commonwealth realms from 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign was the longest of any British monarch, lasting 70 years and 214 days.

Other notable banknotes that were issued to commemorate 50 years of a monarch’s reign include:

• the Brunei 2017-2020 50 Ringgit Commemorative (Pick# 39)
• the Thailand, Bank of Thailand ND (1994, 1996) 500 Baht (Pick# 99-101)
• the Scotland 2002 5 Pounds Commemorative (Pick# 362)
• the Samoa, Central Bank ND (1990-2009) 2 Tala Commemorative (Pick# 31)
• the Iran, Bank Markazi ND (1976) 100 Rials Commemorative (Pick# 108) 

Bank: Uruguay (2017) 50 Pesos

Following a banking crisis during the 1960s, the Department of Economic Research in Uruguay and other departments — the Banking Department and Currency Management and Money Supply Department — were transformed into the Central Bank of Uruguay. This Uruguay 50 Pesos note was issued in 2017 to celebrate the bank’s 50th year in service.

Other notable banknotes that were issued to commemorate 50 years of a bank’s operation include:

• the Vietnam, National Bank 2001 50 Dong Commemorative (Pick# 118)
• the Cuba, Banco Central de Cuba 2000 100 Pesos (Pick# 120)
• the Paraguay, Banco Central 2002 1,000 Guaranies Commemorative (Pick# 221)
• the Jamaica, Bank of Jamaica 2010 50 Dollars Commemorative (Pick #88)
• the Mauritania 2023 50 Ouguiya Commemorative (Pick# 28a)
• the Morocco, Bank Al-Maghrib 2009 50 Dirhams Commemorative (Pick# 72)
• the Guinea, Banque Centrale 2010 1,000, 5,000 and 10,000 Francs Commemorative notes (Pick# 43-45)
• the Lebanon, Banque du Liban 2013-2014 50,000 Livres Commemorative (Pick# 97)
• the Trinidad & Tobago 2015 50 Dollars Commemorative (Pick# 54)
• the Nicaragua, Banco Central 2009 (ND 2011) 50 Cordobas (Pick# 207)
• the Nepal, Central Bank 2005 50 Rupees Commemorative (Pick# 52)
• the Philippines, Central de Reserva 2019 10 Soles (Pick# 196)
• the Papua New Guinea 2023 50 Kina
• the Yugoslavia, National Bank 1934 100 Dinara (Pick# 31)
• the Costa Rica, Banco Central de Costa Rica 1997-2007 10,000 Colones (Pick# 267)

Currency: Mauritania (2023) 50 Ouguiya

The Republic of Mauritania — a small country in northwestern Africa that mostly resides in the Sahara desert — created the Ouguiya as its official currency in 1973, replacing the CFA Franc. As a relatively new currency, the Ouguiya has only been re-dominated once (in 2018) to account for inflation. This 50 Ouguiya note was distributed by the Central Bank of Mauritania to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ouguiya’s creation in 2023. Interestingly, the Central Bank of Mauritania intentionally made these commemorative notes with three different polymer substrates, intending to test the durability of each substrate for future use in currency production.

Another notable banknote that was issued to commemorate 50 years of currency is:

• the Taiwan, China 1999 50 Yuan Commemorative (Pick# 1990)

Battle: Hungary 2006 500 Forint

In 1956, a group of university students in Hungary led a protest outside of the Hungarian Parliament Building to protest the USSR’s occupation and geopolitical domination of the country. The protest escalated into violence when the State Protection Authority (AVH) detained and shot some of the protestors. Eventually, Soviet forces moved in and crushed the rebellion, which left about 3,000 civilians dead. This 500 Forint note was issued by the Hungarian National Bank in 2016 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising.

Other notable banknotes that were issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of important battles include:

• the Cuba, Banco Central de Cuba 2003 20 Pesos (Pick# 126)
• the Jersey, States of Jersey 1999 1 Pound Commemorative (Pick# 25)

Treaty: Brunei 2017 50 Ringgit

This Brunei 50 Ringgit note is half of a pair of commemorative notes celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Currency Interchangeability Agreement of 1967 between Brunei Darussalam and Singapore (the other is a Singapore 2017 50 Dollars, Pick# 62). The agreement was established to facilitate economic and trade relations by allowing both the Brunei Ringgit and Singapore Dollar to be interchangeable at par between countries. Malaysia was also included in the agreement upon its establishment in 1967 but ended after Malaysia opted out in 1973.

Institutions: Philippines 2013 50 Pesos

The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) was established in 1963 to provide insurance protection on bank deposits, ensuring financial and economic stability. To celebrate the institution’s 50th year in operation, the Philippines released this 50 Piso note in 2013.

Another notable banknote issued to commemorate an institution’s 50th anniversary of operation is:

• the Bangladesh 2022 50 Taka Commemorative (Pick# 21a)

Events: Thailand 2000 50 Baht

This Thailand 50 Baht note was commissioned and circulated in 2000 to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary (also known as the Golden Wedding or Golden Anniversary) of King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. The couple married in Bangkok in 1950 at 22 and 20 years old, respectively. The king and queen reigned together until Bhumibol’s death in 2016.

Other notable banknotes that were issued to commemorate a 50th anniversary event include:

• the Oman, Central Bank 2020 50 Rials Commemorative (Pick# 49a)
• the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Currency Set $50 note 

Business: Ringling Bros. Show, Wisconsin, Baraboo 50 Cents

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Circus are known as one of the greatest circus acts of all time. The Ringling Bros. got their start in the small town of Baraboo, Wisconsin, in 1882 as a song-and-dance troupe, but by 1907 they had purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus and expanded their reach across the entire United States. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the circus’ founding, the Baraboo Chamber of Commerce issued banknotes that could be redeemed as official currency until November 1, 1933. In addition to being commemorative, the notes were also intended to advertise the Ringling Bros.’ Golden Jubilee that same year.

Another notable banknote that was issued to commemorate a business’s 50th anniversary is:

• the $50 Disney Dollar (2005) 50th Anniversary note

If you're interested in more inspiring banknotes, check out our other Collection Inspiration columns for more collecting ideas, including ones on battles, the Olympic Games and unusual denominations. Also, be sure to follow PMG on Facebook, on Instagram and on Twitter for other articles and interesting notes posted daily.