Somalia 5 Shillings 1987 Pick 31c UNC Banknote
The Somalia 5 Shillings 1987 banknote (Pick 31c) was issued by the Central Bank of Somalia as part of the country’s 1983–1989 circulation series. It is one of the smallest denominations of the period and is easily recognised by its wildlife-themed design featuring Cape buffaloes and a traditional banana plantation.
Presented in UNC (Uncirculated) condition, this attractive banknote is an excellent addition to collections of African wildlife and Somali currency.
Historical Background
The 1987 issue belongs to the final regular banknote series produced before the collapse of Somalia’s central government in 1991. During the 1980s, the Central Bank introduced redesigned notes celebrating the country’s natural resources, agriculture and national identity.
The 1987 variety (Pick 31c) is the most common date within the series and represents the final issue of the 5 Shillings denomination.
Technical Specifications
- Country: Somalia
- Denomination: 5 Shillings
- Year: 1987
- Pick Number: P-31c
- Condition: Uncirculated (UNC)
- Issuer: Central Bank of Somalia
- Currency: Somali Shilling (SOS)
- Material: Cotton paper
- Dimensions: 120 × 60 mm
- Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Company Ltd. (United Kingdom)
Obverse
The obverse features:
- Herd of Cape buffaloes
- Coat of Arms of Somalia
- Central Bank of Somalia inscriptions
- Denomination numerals
- Star emblem
- Serial numbers
The Cape buffalo is one of Africa’s most powerful wild animals and represents Somalia’s rich natural heritage.
Reverse
The reverse depicts:
- Workers harvesting bananas
- Banana plantation
- Arabic and English inscriptions
- Decorative security patterns
- Large denomination numerals
Bananas have historically been one of Somalia’s principal agricultural exports, making this scene an important symbol of the country’s economy.
Security Features
- Fine guilloche engraving
- Intaglio printing
- Multicolour offset printing
- Serial numbering
- High-quality De La Rue security printing
Note: This denomination was issued without a watermark or embedded security thread, which was common for Somalia’s lower-value notes of the period.
Why Add This Banknote to Your Collection?
The Somalia 5 Shillings 1987 Pick 31c UNC banknote is one of the most affordable and attractive Somali issues. Its combination of African wildlife and agricultural imagery makes it an excellent representative of Somalia’s pre-1991 currency.
Perfect for:
- Somalia banknote collections
- African currency collections
- Wildlife-themed banknotes
- Agricultural banknotes
- De La Rue printed banknotes
- UNC world paper money collections
Collector’s Note
The Pick 31c is the final regular issue of Somalia’s classic 5 Shillings denomination. Featuring Cape buffaloes on the obverse and a banana plantation on the reverse, it remains one of the most recognisable and widely collected Somali banknotes from the 1980s.
