Aside from the fact that this banknote is quite monotone, it is a very nice looking banknote. It features a ‘conqueror’ of sorts at left, leaning on his sabre, with some sort of fortified structure in the background. A portrait of Correira is at right. On the back is a historic scene featuring the ‘Reconquest of Luanda’ in 1684. This banknote is actually a re-print of Angola p79 which was printed in 1944. A beauty to add to my collection; its only fault is two stencil type marks on the face. They’re really odd, and I can’t figure out what they are. This one set me back $44.99.

Angola p79: 20 Angolares from 1944

I caved into a temptation that maybe wasn’t for the sake of investment, but for the sake of completing an issue of banknotes. Angola has a 1926 issue of banknotes using the ‘Angolar’ currency, of which the highest denomination is 10. This banknote, namely pick 67 is scarce and very expensive even in VF condition, so I jumped at the opportunity to buy one in Good condition which, as collectors know, is not really good condition. The banknote is extremely worn, and I purchased it at roughly catalog value, which I rarely do, but the set is almost complete! As with many banknotes from Angola, both the face and the back of the banknote are quite attractive, even in monochrome. The front of this one, as you can see, features Angolan tribespeople weaving and spinning near a bridge and mountain (I wonder what historical location this is), while the back features a resting lion. Its a beautifully designed banknote!

Angola p67: 10 Angolares from 1926

I have yet another beautiful banknote from old Angola: a 1 Angolar banknote — pick 70 from the Standard Catalog of World Paper Money. This banknote, along with its 2.5 Angolar counterpart were printed in the forties in celebration of the 300th anniversary of the restoration of Angola to Portuguese rule (1648-1948). The front of this green banknote features a landing boat with seamen landing in Angola, with their sailing ship in the background. The back features a waterbuck head at center. This one cost me $18.48, which I think is a bargain. What a piece of history …

Angola 1 Angolar from 1948 (pick 70)

I just love old African banknotes, and I am particularly fond of old Angolan banknotes because of their colonialist feel and the fact that the actual currency type is no longer in existence, as the country is using escudos as their currency. I have recently picked up a 1 Angolar banknote from 1942, but it is in really bad shape. The edges are pretty much destroyed, and there is definitely a center hole, as well as some tears along other folds. None the less, for $4.67 its a great addition to my collection. This banknote is not very rare, but it is rare to add it to a collection for under five bucks!

Angola 1 Angolar from 1942 (pick 68)

I have been lucky, as of late, as I have acquired my second ‘Angolares’ banknote in only a month. Though this one cost me $41.10 on eBay, I think it was a heck of a bargain, as it seldom comes up for auction. More commonly it is a ‘Buy It Now’ item which costs in excess of $150 in this condition. I love these arrogant ‘conquest’ banknotes. In this particular case it shows the Portuguese conquering Angola. On the front is a portrait of Pereira (no doubt a conqueror) while the back features natives kneeling before the Portuguese. This scene is known as ‘The Founding of Benguela 1617′.

Angola p80: 50 Angolares from 1944

When I started collecting paper money I recall that some of my first banknotes were from Angola. The earliest ones were from the 1962 series, and featured safari animals on the back side. Ever since then I have had a fascination with this type of banknote, and though p77 from Angola does not show any animals on the face or the back, the image at front features an African scene that is compelling in a historical kind of way. Needless to say, I have kept my eyes open for a deal on this banknote, and I have recently won an eBay auction for $18.75 for this banknote, in VF condition. Anytime you can buy this note for under $25 it is a great deal. I think that these Angola ‘Angolares’ series of notes will disappear from eBay, same as the ‘Thaler’ series from Ethiopia have completely disappeared, so get them while you can!

Angola p77: 5 Angolares from 1947

I have found an eBay seller who has a great bargain on Angolan banknotes. I am referring to the 1958, 1962, and 1970 series specifically, as I believe that these will be of substantial value in the future. This is because these banknotes, on the back side, have great imagery of the African safari, including gazelles, rhinos, and the like. These banknotes have become a little less readily available, and though these are not in great shape, they are great investments in my books. Also, comparing prices on eBay these seem to be great deals. I have stocked up, I suggest you do the same. Check these out:

The store is as follows: 123collectorscurrency.

Here are the specific banknotes:

Angola 20 Escudos from 1962 @ $1.99
Angola 1000 Escudos from 1962 @ $5.99
Angola 1000 Escudos from 1970 @ $3.99

There’s also this banknote, but it seems quite pricey:

Angola 1000 Escudos from 1956 @ $65 (or make an offer)

This seller is excellent, and I have been in contact with him for most of the day. Very courteous, very professional, and has some great deals on these banknotes. I’ll let you decide the rest.

Not too long ago paper money from Angola was very cheap. In particular, I am referring to p87-91 from the 1956 issue, and p92-98 from the 1962 and 1970 issues. These examples of paper money used to sell for well under their catalog values. Examples in VF condition often sold for a couple of dollars apiece, whereas their values are supposed to range from $10-$30 in this condition. And though they have not quite caught up to their catalog values, they are doing a great job. Over the course of a year these banknotes have nearly quintupled in their selling price on eBay. Anyone who has been sitting on a pile of them is in luck now. For those who want to get their hands on these, there are still many bargains to be had on eBay, which is why I still believe them to be a great investment.

And that aside, they are beautiful notes, depicting the African safari on the reverse side.