{"product_id":"mozambique-p155a-polymer-20-meticais-2024-unc","title":"Mozambique P155 POLYMER 20 Meticais 2024 UNC—Duck Feather Gold \u0026 Nurse-Guerrilla","description":"\u003cp\u003eOne of our favorite notes! Mozambique's first \u003cstrong\u003epolymer\u003c\/strong\u003e banknote series marks a bold new chapter for the currency of this \u003cstrong\u003eformer Portuguese colony bordering South Africa. \u003c\/strong\u003eThis 20 Meticais note is a \u003cstrong\u003egorgeous rich purple.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not only that but look closely and you'll find two fascinating stories:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow people here used to carry \u003cstrong\u003egold in duck feathers\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe father of the country, a \u003cstrong\u003enurse turned guerrilla turned president\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd for good measure, \u003cstrong\u003emountains, \u003c\/strong\u003ea palm tree, aloe plant,\u003cstrong\u003e kingfisher bird,\u003c\/strong\u003e and a \u003cstrong\u003efunky logo \u003c\/strong\u003ethat wouldn't be out of place in \u003cstrong\u003eDisney's Tomorrowland\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWatch the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/oDFqj7MCQq8?si=JfZgvExH9YVTdrPn\u0026amp;cc_lang_pref=en\u0026amp;cc_load_policy=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eBank of Mozambique video\u003c\/a\u003e about the Metical currency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFront\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blue-purple on multicolor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePortrait:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Samora_Machel\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSamora Moisés Machel\u003c\/a\u003e, first President of Mozambique (1975–1986), labeled \u003cem\u003ePrimeiro Presidente\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatermark tree:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ghost image of a large spreading tree visible through the substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBank logo:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bank of Mozambique emblem (interlocking oval motif)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/strong\u003e AA prefix, printed in red vertically on right edge and black horizontally\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16 DE JUNHO DE 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity window:\u003c\/strong\u003e Transparent window featuring a quill pen in a golden inkwell circle, set against a geometric black zigzag frame; the quill honors the ancient pre-colonial practice of carrying gold dust in duck-feather quills\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMETALIX™ \u0026amp; EFFECT CAMEO™:\u003c\/strong\u003e Special ink creating a brilliant golden sheen and color-shift effect when the note is tilted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLatent image:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bank initials (BdM) visible when held to light\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTactile elements:\u003c\/strong\u003e High-relief raised print for accessibility by the visually impaired\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rogério Zandamela, Gov., Bank of Mozambique\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eText:\u003c\/strong\u003e BANCO DE MOÇAMBIQUE \/ VINTE METICAIS\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBack\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep purple on light blue-lavender\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dramatic rocky mountain range — the \u003cstrong\u003eChimanimani Mountains\u003c\/strong\u003e (Monte Binga, Mozambique's highest peak at 2,436 m), rendered in sweeping engraved detail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlora:\u003c\/strong\u003e Towering \u003cstrong\u003etraveler's palm\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eRavenala madagascariensis\u003c\/em\u003e) and a flowering \u003cstrong\u003ealoe\u003c\/strong\u003e plant in the foreground\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFauna:\u003c\/strong\u003e A \u003cstrong\u003ekingfisher\u003c\/strong\u003e perched at bottom right\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFigures:\u003c\/strong\u003e Silhouetted \u003cstrong\u003ewarriors\/hunters\u003c\/strong\u003e with spears and shields at lower left\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMap:\u003c\/strong\u003e Outline map of Mozambique, upper center\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity window (reverse):\u003c\/strong\u003e Quill-and-inkwell motif in full purple color against the geometric black frame\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCorner motif:\u003c\/strong\u003e Futuristic concentric \u003cstrong\u003ediamond bull's-eye\u003c\/strong\u003e in alternating purple and blue\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eText:\u003c\/strong\u003e BANCO DE MOÇAMBIQUE \/ VINTE METICAIS\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCatalog numbers:\u003c\/strong\u003e P-155a; TBB B240a; Numista N#422155\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatermark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shadow portrait of Samora Moisés Machel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubstrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e GUARDIAN™ polymer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity features:\u003c\/strong\u003e METALIX™ color-shift ink; EFFECT CAMEO™ golden sheen; transparent window with quill and golden circle; latent image (BdM initials); high-relief tactile print; watermark portrait\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 141 × 65 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIssuing entity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bank of Mozambique (Banco de Moçambique)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e Crane Currency, Malta\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rogério Zandamela, Gov.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurrency:\u003c\/strong\u003e New metical (2006–date)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part of the 2024 polymer family: 20, 50, and 100 Meticais\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNurse. Guerrilla. President. Martyr.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSamora Moisés Machel (\u003cstrong\u003e1933–1986\u003c\/strong\u003e) was a guerrilla commander, revolutionary, and the first President of independent Mozambique. Born in \u003cstrong\u003eGaza Province\u003c\/strong\u003e, he trained as a nurse before joining \u003cstrong\u003eFRELIMO\u003c\/strong\u003e — the Mozambique Liberation Front — in \u003cstrong\u003e1963\u003c\/strong\u003e. He rose to lead the armed struggle against Portuguese colonial rule and became president when Mozambique gained independence in \u003cstrong\u003e1975\u003c\/strong\u003e. His government nationalized land, education, and healthcare, and he was a fierce opponent of apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia. He died in a \u003cstrong\u003eplane crash\u003c\/strong\u003e near Mbuzini in 1986 under circumstances that remain disputed — many believe South Africa's apartheid regime was responsible. His widow, \u003cstrong\u003eGraça Machel\u003c\/strong\u003e, later married Nelson Mandela.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThey Carried Gold in Duck Feathers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat glowing quill in the transparent window isn't just a design flourish — it's a \u003cstrong\u003e5,000-year-old story pressed into polymer\u003c\/strong\u003e. Long before European contact, traders in the Mozambican interior carried \u003cstrong\u003egold dust in the hollow quills of duck feathers\u003c\/strong\u003e — a precise, portable, and tamper-evident form of currency that predates paper money by millennia. The Bank of Mozambique chose this image deliberately: the quill sits in a golden inkwell circle, framed by a bold geometric motif, and when you tilt the note, \u003cstrong\u003eMETALIX™ and EFFECT CAMEO™ inks\u003c\/strong\u003e make it shimmer with a golden color-shift. Hold it to the light and the bank's initials — \u003cem\u003eBdM\u003c\/em\u003e — appear as a latent image. Ancient gold. Modern polymer. One window.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMountains, Aloes, and Warriors\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse is a love letter to Mozambique's wild interior. Dominating the scene are the \u003cstrong\u003eChimanimani Mountains\u003c\/strong\u003e — ancient, wind-carved peaks that straddle the border with Zimbabwe, home to \u003cstrong\u003eMonte Binga\u003c\/strong\u003e, Mozambique's highest point at \u003cstrong\u003e2,436 meters\u003c\/strong\u003e. In the foreground, a \u003cstrong\u003etraveler's palm\u003c\/strong\u003e shoots skyward alongside a blooming \u003cstrong\u003ealoe\u003c\/strong\u003e — plants that have sustained communities for centuries. A \u003cstrong\u003ekingfisher\u003c\/strong\u003e watches from the lower right. And at the left edge, \u003cstrong\u003esilhouetted warriors\u003c\/strong\u003e with spears and shields stand guard — a nod to the pre-colonial kingdoms that ruled this land long before any European set foot here. In the corner, a \u003cstrong\u003econcentric diamond bull's-eye\u003c\/strong\u003e pulses in purple and blue — geometric, futuristic, and utterly unlike anything on older Mozambican notes. This is a country announcing itself to the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMozambique's Polymer Leap\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e2024 series\u003c\/strong\u003e — 20, 50, and 100 Meticais — marks Mozambique's first-ever polymer banknotes, printed on \u003cstrong\u003eGUARDIAN™ substrate\u003c\/strong\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eCrane Currency in Malta\u003c\/strong\u003e. The switch to polymer brings dramatically enhanced durability, moisture resistance, and a suite of cutting-edge security features that make counterfeiting exponentially harder. For collectors, this is a \u003cstrong\u003efirst-issue polymer\u003c\/strong\u003e from a country with a rich numismatic history — the kind of note that defines a generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOwn This Note\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOwn this crisp, uncirculated 20 Meticais — a first-generation polymer note from Mozambique bearing the face of its founding president, the mountains of its wild heart, and the ancient gold-carrying quill that inspired its most remarkable security feature. A landmark issue for any African or polymer banknote collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Mozambique\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin of name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Derived from \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Mozambique_Island\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMozambique Island\u003c\/a\u003e (Ilha de Moçambique), itself named after the Arab trader Mussa Bin Bique (Musa ibn Malik al-Biki) who settled there in the 15th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCapital:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Maputo\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMaputo\u003c\/a\u003e — city pop. ~1.1 million; metro pop. ~2.7 million (UN 2023) — comparable to Dallas, TX\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin of name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Named after the Maputo River, itself derived from a local Bantu word meaning \"tribute\" or from a local chief named Maputo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePopulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~34 million (UN 2023) — California or Morocco\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArea:\u003c\/strong\u003e 801,590 km² (309,496 mi²) — slightly larger than Texas\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGDP per capita (\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Purchasing_power_parity\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ePPP\u003c\/a\u003e):\u003c\/strong\u003e ~$1,400 (one of the lowest in the world)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMain exports:\u003c\/strong\u003e Natural gas, aluminum, coal, tobacco, cashews, prawns\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBorders:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tanzania (north), Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe (west), South Africa, Eswatini (south); Indian Ocean (east)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEthnicities:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Makua_people\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eMakua\u003c\/a\u003e (26%), \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tsonga_people\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTsonga\u003c\/a\u003e (24%), \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lomwe_people\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eLomwe\u003c\/a\u003e (18%), \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Sena_people\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSena\u003c\/a\u003e (11%), others\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMemberships:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/African_Union\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAfrican Union\u003c\/a\u003e (founding member, 1963 as OAU); \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Commonwealth_of_Nations\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eCommonwealth of Nations\u003c\/a\u003e (1995 — notably, never a British colony); \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Southern_African_Development_Community\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSADC\u003c\/a\u003e (1992); \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/United_Nations\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eUN\u003c\/a\u003e (1975)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSovereignty:\u003c\/strong\u003e Portuguese colony (1498–1975); independent Republic of Mozambique (1975–date); FRELIMO one-party state (1975–1990); multiparty republic (1990–date)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMozambique Unfiltered\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNatural gas jackpot:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mozambique sits atop one of the largest natural gas discoveries of the 21st century — the Rovuma Basin holds an estimated 100+ trillion cubic feet of gas, potentially transforming the economy — if political stability holds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNever colonized by Britain — yet joined the Commonwealth:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mozambique is one of only two Commonwealth members (with Rwanda) that were never British colonies. It joined in 1995 as a strategic move after apartheid South Africa's neighbors lobbied for its inclusion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCashew capital:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mozambique was once the world's largest cashew producer. Colonial-era processing factories were nationalized after independence, collapsed, and the industry has been slowly rebuilding ever since.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCyclone alley:\u003c\/strong\u003e The country is one of the most cyclone-prone in Africa. Cyclone Idai (2019) killed over 1,000 people and devastated Beira — one of the worst natural disasters in African history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe flag has an AK-47:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mozambique's national flag features a Kalashnikov assault rifle — the only national flag in the world with a modern automatic weapon on it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGraça Machel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Samora Machel's widow became a global humanitarian icon and later married Nelson Mandela — making her the only woman in history to have been First Lady of two different countries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"World Money Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51799016374583,"sku":"MZ155aU","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0969\/7165\/3431\/files\/MZ155-flying-c-banco-do-mozambique-2024.png?v=1784032356","url":"https:\/\/worldmoneystore.com\/products\/mozambique-p155a-polymer-20-meticais-2024-unc","provider":"World Money Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}