Liberia 5 Dollars 1999 Pick 21a UNC Banknote
The Liberia 5 Dollars 1999 banknote (Pick 21a) was issued by the Central Bank of Liberia as part of the country’s first unified currency series, introduced after years of political instability. Released into circulation in March 2000, the series replaced multiple coexisting banknote issues and restored a single national currency.
Presented in UNC (Uncirculated) condition, this colourful banknote is an excellent addition to collections of African and modern world currencies.
Historical Background
Following the end of Liberia’s civil conflict, the Central Bank introduced a new family of banknotes dated 1999. These notes replaced both the former “J.J.” and “Liberty” banknotes, creating a unified monetary system across the country. Although dated 1999, the notes officially entered circulation on 29 March 2000.
The Pick 21a remained in circulation until it was replaced by the redesigned Pick 26 series beginning in 2003 and was officially demonetized in 2024.
Technical Specifications
- Country: Liberia
- Denomination: 5 Dollars
- Year: 1999
- Pick Number: P-21a
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Central Bank of Liberia
- Currency: Liberian Dollar (LRD)
- Material: Cotton paper
- Dimensions: 157 × 67 mm
- Printer: Unknown
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Portrait of President Edward James Roye (1815–1872)
- Coat of Arms of Liberia
- Central Bank of Liberia inscriptions
- Denomination numerals
- Serial numbers
Edward James Roye served as Liberia’s fifth President from 1870 to 1871 and was the first member of the True Whig Party to hold the presidency.
Reverse
The reverse depicts:
- Woman harvesting rice
- Seal of the Central Bank of Liberia
- Large denomination numerals
- Decorative security patterns
Rice is Liberia’s staple food and one of the country’s most important agricultural products, making the harvest scene an appropriate symbol of rural life and the national economy.
Security Features
- Solid embedded security thread
- Fine guilloche engraving
- Intaglio printing
- UV fluorescent security elements
- Serial numbering
Note: Unlike the later Pick 26 series, the reverse of Pick 21a bears the inscription “REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA” at the top and includes an early Central Bank seal with the incorrect establishment year 1974, which was corrected on subsequent issues.
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Liberia 5 Dollars 1999 Pick 21a UNC banknote represents Liberia’s return to a unified national currency after years of instability. Featuring President Edward James Roye and an agricultural harvest scene, it is both historically significant and visually attractive.
Perfect for:
- Liberia banknote collections
- African currency collections
- Presidential portrait banknotes
- Agricultural-themed banknotes
- Modern world paper money
- UNC banknote collections
Collector’s Note
The Pick 21a is the first issue of Liberia’s unified 1999 series. Collectors often distinguish it from the later Pick 26 by the “REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA” inscription on the reverse and the incorrect 1974 date in the Central Bank seal, both of which were corrected on later printings. These differences make the original 1999 issue particularly desirable for complete Liberian banknote collections.
