Millennium Banknotes from Around the World Quiz

Answer: The Tale of Genji

The ¥2,000 note was issued on 19 July 2000 to commemorate both the millennium and the 26th G8 Summit, which was held in Okinawa, Japan. Despite this celebratory occasion, the note was not classified as a commemorative issue under Japanese law, i.e. it was intended for regular circulation.

The design of the note pays tribute to Japan's rich cultural history. The reverse shows a scene from "Genji Monogatari" ("The Tale of Genji"), written by Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century and widely regarded as one of the world's first novels. A portrait of Lady Murasaki herself is also included, along with a portion of the script from her famous work.

The front features the Shureimon Gate of Shuri Castle in Okinawa, surrounded by intricate patterns of cherry blossoms and chrysanthemums, symbolising Japan's natural beauty. The note also incorporates advanced security features such as colour-shifting ink and microprinting.

Despite its cultural significance, the note quickly fell out of favour with the general public due to its awkward denomination - ATMs and vending machines rarely accepted it, and businesses found it inconvenient. The Bank of Japan stopped producing the note in 2004, just four years after it was introduced.

By 2010, it accounted for just 0.9% of all banknotes in circulation. Although it is still legal tender, it has mostly become a collector's item, especially outside Okinawa, where it is more popular for its depiction of Shureimon Gate.

Answer: They are polymer plastic.

The 50 kina note issued by Papua New Guinea in 2000 was designed to mark the new millennium. Unlike the standard banknotes in circulation at the time, this commemorative note was printed on polymer plastic. This marked a shift in banknote production for the nation, as Papua New Guinea began to use polymer for its durability and advanced security features.

The note was also decorated with vibrant images celebrating the country's rich cultural heritage, including traditional motifs and symbols. The front of the note featured a design inspired by Papua New Guinea's diverse culture, with elements like tribal patterns and local fauna, which symbolized the nation's identity and natural beauty.

The reverse side showcased stylized images of native flora and fauna, reflecting the country's commitment to preserving its environment. In addition to the millennium theme, the note incorporated modern security features such as transparent windows, color-shifting ink, and microprinting, making it not only visually striking but also difficult to counterfeit.

This polymer note was part of a broader global trend around the turn of the millennium, where many nations issued commemorative banknotes to celebrate the new era.

Answer: a dolphin

The new emblem on Gibraltar's 2000 £5 millennium note was a depiction of the Rock of Gibraltar alongside a dolphin. This design was a departure from the previous emblem, which usually depicted a building, specifically the Governor's Residence.

The dolphin symbolises freedom and the rich marine life that surrounds Gibraltar, while the word "Millennium" was prominently displayed below the emblem to emphasise the significance of the occasion. In addition, the note incorporated reflective foil elements, which set it apart from traditional designs and made it a unique collector's item.

This commemorative note was issued in limited quantities and served as legal tender, making it particularly popular with collectors.

Answer: New Zealand

New Zealand was not particularly eager to celebrate the new millennium, so the country's $10 commemorative note was issued slightly earlier, in 1999, under the theme "The Journey - Socially and Technologically". This note had a striking design featuring Mount Cook (Aoraki), the country's highest peak, and explorer Sir Edmund Hillary. It included advanced security features such as a transparent window and microtext to reflect the nation's pioneering spirit. As it was issued in 1999, it does not qualify as a "Millennium 2000" issue and is therefore the correct answer in this context.

As the year 2000 approached, many countries around the world issued special commemorative banknotes to celebrate the new millennium. Malta, Northern Ireland, and Slovakia all produced special banknotes in 2000 to mark this milestone.

Malta issued a series of millennium banknotes in denominations of Lm2, Lm5 and Lm10. Each was decorated with holographic elements and traditional Maltese motifs, symbolising the country's history and its connection to the Mediterranean. Northern Ireland's banknotes were special editions of existing designs, with additional elements to mark the new millennium. Slovakia issued a limited series of its currency with additional foil emblems and overprints to mark the special occasion.

The global trend of issuing these millennium notes underscored not only the cultural pride of each nation, but also their desire to showcase their technological advances in banknote production.

Answer: $2, $2000

Fiji's commemorative millennium banknotes were issued in $2 and $2,000 denominations to celebrate the year 2000 and featured key elements of the nation's identity. The limited edition depicted featured celebrating Fijian culture.

The $2,000 note was a high value note, depicting Sir Kamisese Kapaiwai Tuimacilai Uluilakeba Mara, Fiji's founding Prime Minister, along with a map of the islands and a sunrise symbolising the dawn of a new era. The more widely circulated $2 banknote showed a traditional Fijian canoe, turtles and other symbols of Fiji's diverse ecosystem, reflecting the country's marine life and cultural pride.

Both banknotes were decorated with vibrant colours and intricate patterns and incorporated advanced security features such as holograms and colour-shifting inks. The banknotes are still regarded as collector's items rather than for everyday use.

Answer: China

The ¥100 millennium banknote was an orange polymer banknote that heralded a new era with its modern material and design. Issued on 28 November 2000, it celebrated the new millennium with a dragon on the obverse, symbolising power, strength and good fortune. The reverse features the China Millennium Monument at the Beijing Centre for Culture and Science Fairs, reflecting the nation's cultural heritage and aspirations for the future.

Only 10,000,000 of these notes were printed, making it a relatively limited edition. The note also incorporated advanced security features, including a holographic stripe and detailed watermarks, adding to its uniqueness and appeal as a collector's item.

Answer: St. John's Co-Cathedral

The Maltese Millennium series was issued in 2000 to commemorate the new millennium with beautifully designed notes featuring iconic Maltese landmarks. The £2 note features Fort St Angelo, one of Malta's oldest fortifications, located in the Grand Harbour. It symbolises the island's strategic importance in the Mediterranean, particularly during the time of the Knights of St John. The reverse featured a historical map of the Maltese islands, celebrating Malta's maritime history.

The £5 banknote featured the Mdina Gate, the entrance to Malta's ancient capital, often referred to as the "Silent City". The gate represents Malta's rich history dating back to Roman times. The back of the note depicts the Grand Master's Palace in Valletta, reflecting Malta's colonial past and its role as the headquarters of the Order of St John.

Finally, the £10 banknote features the Triton Fountain, a well-known landmark at the entrance to Valletta. Designed in the 1950s, the fountain has become a popular meeting place and symbolises the vibrant entrance to the Maltese capital. The reverse side of the note depicts a scene from a traditional Maltese Festa, showcasing local cultural celebrations, complete with fireworks, music and parades.

While many of Malta's historic sites were celebrated, St John's Co-Cathedral, one of Malta's most famous religious and architectural landmarks, was notably absent from the series, despite its cultural significance and being the home of Caravaggio's famous painting "The Beheading of St John the Baptist".

Answer: Encik Yusof bin Ishak

The Singapore Millennium $2 note was issued in 1999 to commemorate the start of the new millennium. The note continued to feature a portrait of Encik Yusof bin Ishak, who served as Singapore's first President from 1965 to 1970. His inclusion on the note was part of the wider portrait series introduced that year to honour Singapore's early leaders and symbolise the nation's journey to independence and progress.

The design of the note highlighted Singapore's multicultural identity and dynamic growth. While Encik Yusof bin Ishak was prominently featured on the front, the background featured intricate patterns symbolising unity, peace and prosperity. The reverse of the note featured various cultural elements, reflecting Singapore's diverse heritage and harmony among its communities.

Although issued as part of the regular circulation, the Millennium note had a special edition feel, with enhanced security features and intricate design elements that made it a popular collector's item. Encik Yusof bin Ishak's presence on the note was a tribute to his legacy in shaping Singapore's early years as an independent nation.

Answer: Foil emblems over the watermarks

In 2000, Slovakia issued commemorative banknotes that differed from the standard circulation banknotes mainly by the inclusion of foil emblems above the watermarks. This unique feature enhanced the visual appeal and security of the banknotes, while also celebrating the turn of the millennium.

A foil emblem is a design element printed on banknotes that uses metallic or reflective foil to create a shiny, eye-catching effect. This technique not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the banknote, but also serves as a security feature. Foil emblems can include logos, symbols or intricate patterns that change appearance when viewed from different angles, making them more difficult to counterfeit.

The 1000 Sk note, for example, highlighted significant images from Slovak history, such as the Bratislava Castle and a portrait of Ľudovít Stúr, a key figure in Slovak national identity. Additionally, Slovakia also issued 200 Sk and 500 Sk notes in 2000, each featuring notable national symbols and motifs. The inclusion of foil emblems set Slovakia apart from other countries that opted for commemorative issues with different designs or overprints.

Answer: Carl Robert Jakobson and a barn swallow

On the front of both the old and the new 500 kroon note is a portrait of Carl Robert Jakobson, a prominent Estonian writer and politician celebrated for his contributions to Estonian literature and nationalism. The back of the note features a barn swallow, Estonia's national bird, which symbolises freedom and resilience.

The new note introduced a dark blue-on-blue colour scheme, providing a modern aesthetic while retaining the iconic imagery associated with the previous version. This issue was significant as it reflected Estonia's economic stability and cultural identity as the country approached the new millennium.