Libya 20 Dinars 2013 Pick 79 UNC Banknote
The Libya 20 Dinars 2013 banknote (Pick 79) was issued by the Central Bank of Libya on 31 March 2013 as part of the country’s first banknote series following the 2011 revolution. Printed by De La Rue, it combines modern security technology with important symbols of Libya’s cultural and architectural heritage.
Presented in UNC (Uncirculated) condition, this colourful banknote is one of the most attractive modern Libyan issues and an excellent addition to collections of African and Middle Eastern currencies.
Historical Background
Following the political changes of 2011, Libya introduced a completely redesigned family of banknotes representing the newly established State of Libya. The 20 Dinars denomination was among the highest values of the new series and remained in circulation until its official demonetization on 30 September 2025.
The Pick 79 was issued by the Central Bank of Libya in Tripoli and can be distinguished from the later Pick 83 issued by the rival eastern administration through its serial number layout and printing details.
Technical Specifications
- Country: Libya
- Denomination: 20 Dinars
- Year: 2013
- Issue Date: 31 March 2013
- Pick Number: P-79
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Central Bank of Libya
- Currency: Libyan Dinar (LYD)
- Material: Cotton paper
- Dimensions: 148 × 74 mm
- Printer: De La Rue (United Kingdom)
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Al-Atiq Mosque (Great Mosque) of Awjila
- Arabic inscriptions
- Denomination numerals
- Wide holographic security stripe
- Serial numbers
Located in the oasis town of Awjila in eastern Libya, the Al-Atiq Mosque is one of the oldest surviving mosques in the Sahara and is renowned for its distinctive domed architecture.
Reverse
The reverse depicts:
- Traditional girls’ school in Ghadames
- English inscriptions
- Decorative security patterns
- Large denomination numerals
The ancient oasis city of Ghadames, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its unique desert architecture and traditional educational buildings that reflect centuries of Saharan culture.
Security Features
- Watermark of Omar Al-Mukhtar
- Electrotype “20”
- Wide holographic foil stripe
- Windowed security thread with demetallised Arabic text
- SPARK Live colour-changing crescent and star
- Intaglio printing
- UV fluorescent fibres
- Serial numbering
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Libya 20 Dinars 2013 Pick 79 UNC banknote combines advanced security technology with Libya’s rich architectural heritage. Featuring two iconic historic landmarks, it is considered one of the country’s most attractive contemporary paper banknotes.
Perfect for:
- Libya banknote collections
- African currency collections
- Middle Eastern banknotes
- UNESCO World Heritage themes
- Modern world paper money
- UNC banknote collections
Collector’s Note
The Pick 79 is the Tripoli-issued version of Libya’s 20 Dinars introduced in 2013. Collectors often pair it with the Pick 83, issued by the eastern-based Central Bank in 2016, making the two notes an interesting illustration of Libya’s divided monetary history following the 2011 revolution.
