106) National Bank of Serbia issues: Coinage and Currency: “Dinara” or Dinars:

106)  National Bank of Serbia issues:  Coinage  and Currency: “Dinara” or Dinars:

The States of Serbia and Montenegro proclaimed their union as Serbia – Montenegro (SCG) on 04.02.2003.

The countries main exports are Agricultural products – Cereals, Cattle, Fruits, Goats, Olives, Sheep, tobacco and Commodities – Manufactured goods, food and live animals and raw materials.

The Serbian Dinar (ISO code – RSD) is the official currency of Serbia, which is one of the two Republics of Serbia-Montenegro (SCG). Both Montenegro and Kosovo and Metohia shared the Yugoslav dinar with Serbia in the past, but have now switched to the Euro. The dinar is sub-divided into 100 para (derived from the Arabic word “bara” meaning “silver”.

The earliest use of the dinar in Serbia dates back to 1214 during the reign of Stefan Nemanjic. The earlier Serbian dinar coins were minted in silver due to the abundant silver mines found in the country.

After the Ottoman conquest in the mid-fifteenth century, several other foreign currencies were circulated in Serbia till the mid-19^th century.

In 1819, because of the confusion prevailing in the exchange rates of various currencies, an official table of 43 coins being used in Serbia was published (10 gold, 28 silver and 5 copper) listing out the exchange rates.

In 1867, the Ottoman Empire withdrew from Serbia, paving the way for establishing an independent National Monetary system and circulation of coins issued under the “First modern dinar”.

Accordingly, in 1868, the first bronze coins were circulated in the denominations of 1, 5 and 10 para, followed by silver coins in 1875 in the denominations of 50 para, 1 and 2 dinar and 5 dinar in 1879, in which year gold coins were also issued in the denominations of 20 dinars followed by 10 dinar gold coins in 1882. In 1883, cupro-nickel coins in the denominations of 5, 10 and 20 para were circulated.

Between 1873 and 1894, the dinar was treated at par with the French Franc.

In 1920, the Serbian dinar was replaced at par by the Yugoslav dinar which circulated together with the Yugoslav krone.

In 1942, the Yugoslav dinar was substituted at par with the second Serbian dinar for use in German occupied Serbia with 250 Serbian dinars being equal to I Reichsmark. This was termed as the Second modern dinar. Under this Series, zinc coins were circulated in the denominations of 50 para, 1, 2, and 10 dinars.

In 1944, the Yugoslav dinar was circulated again by the Yugoslav Partisans at the rate of 20 Serbian dinars being equal to one Yugoslav dinar.

In 2003, the Yugoslav dinar was substituted at par with the Serbian dinar which is termed as the Third modern dinar.  The Yugoslav para and dinar coins ceased to be legal tender on 01.01.2008 and could be exchanged at the National Bank of Serbia authorized branches.

Under the Third modern dinar series, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 Serbian dinar coins were introduced. The languages used on all Dinar Banknotes and coins are “Slavic” languages.

Serbian coins:

On the obverse of all the coins there are the same inscriptions in Serbian using the Cyrillic and Latin scripts.

On the reverse of the one dinara coin is mentioned the denominational value of the coin in figure and letters and the year of minting. The coin also shows the building of the National Bank of Serbia.

 (The National Bank of Serbia, set up on 02.07.1884, is the Central Bank of Serbia. Originally established as the “Privileged National Bank of the Kingdom of Serbia”, since 2003 it is functioning as the sole Printing and Minting Authority of currency and coins, taking over from the Yugoslav dinar.

All dinar Banknotes and coins are presently printed and minted respectively by the Institute for Manufacturing Banknotes and Coins – Topcider for the Central Bank - “National Bank of Serbia”).

Four issues of the coin were circulated.

On the obverse of the one dinara coin is shown:

In the 02.07.2003 issues: Issuer’s symbols, with the text NBS written in Latin and Cyrillic letters) and logo of the National Bank. The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (Copper: 70 %; Nickel: 12%; Zinc: 18%). Diameter: 20 mm; Weight: 4.34 gms.

In the 02.07.2005 issues: National symbols (Republic of Serbia Coat of Arms and the text Republic of Serbia written in Latin and Cyrillic letters and issuer’s symbols as in the earlier issues. The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (75%; Nickel: 0.5%; Zinc: 24.5%); Diameter: 20 mm; weight: 4.26gms.

In the 20.03.2009 issues and the 2011 series (the latter with the modified great Coat of arms of the Republic of Serbia) the specifications are: Metal Composition: Alloy of multilayer material – low carbon steel electrochemically coated with a layer of copper on both sides; Diameter: 20 mm; Weight: 4.20 gms.

This coin was issued in 2010 and shows the modified Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia.

On the reverse of the two dinara coin is mentioned the denominational value of the coin in figure and letters and the year of minting. This coin was minted in 2003. It also shows the edifice of the Monastery of Gracanica.

This coin was issued in 2010

(This Serbian Orthodox Monastery situated in Gracanica village, near Pristina, Kosovo, was built in 1321 by King Stefan Milutin. The Monastery has been placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List under the name of “Medieval Monuments in Kosovo” as an extension of the “Visoki Decani” site).

Four issues of the coin were circulated.

 On the obverse of the two dinara coin is shown:

In the 02.07.2003 issues: Issuer’s symbols, with the text NBS written in Latin and Cyrillic letters) and logo of the National Bank. The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (Copper: 70 %; Nickel: 12%; Zinc: 18%). Diameter: 22 mm; Weight: 5.24 gms.

In the 27.12.2006 issues: National symbols (Republic of Serbia Coat of Arms and the text Republic of Serbia written in Latin and Cyrillic letters and issuer’s symbols as in the earlier issues. The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (75%; Nickel: 0.5%; Zinc: 24.5%); Diameter: 22 mm; weight: 5.15 gms.

In the 20.03.2009 issues and the 20.05.2011 issues (the latter with the modified great Coat of arms of the Republic of Serbia) the specifications are: Metal Composition is; alloy of multilayer material – low carbon steel electrochemically coated with a layer of copper on both sides; Diameter: 22 mm; Weight: 5.05 gms.

This coin was issued in 2003 and is one of the first few issues in this denomination. It shows the original Coat of arms of Serbia/ logo of National Bank of Serbia.

This coin was issued in 2010 and shows the modified Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia.

This coin was issued in 2003.

This coin was issued in 2010.

On the reverse of the five dinara coin is mentioned the denominational value of the coin in figure and letters and the year of minting. The coin also shows the edifice of the Krusedol Monastery.

(This is an Orthodox monastery on the Fruska Gora mountain in Northern Serbia in the province of Vojvodina.  It was built between 1509 and 1514 by the last Serbian despot family of Srem – Brankovic. This Monastery has been declared a “Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance since 1990).

Three Series of the coin were issued:

On the obverse of the five dinara coin is shown:

In the 02.07.2003 Series: Issuer’s symbols, with the text NBS written in Latin and Cyrillic letters) and logo of the National Bank. The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (Copper: 70 %; Nickel: 12%; Zinc: 18%). Diameter: 24 mm; Weight: 6.23 gms.

In the 02.07.2005 Series and the 20.05.2011 series: National symbols (Republic of Serbia Coat of Arms and the text Republic of Serbia written in Latin and Cyrillic letters) and issuer’s symbols as in the earlier issues (the 2011 Series with the modified great Coat of arms of the Republic of Serbia). The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (75%; Nickel: 0.5%; Zinc: 24.5%); Diameter: 24 mm; weight: 6.13 gms.

This coin was issued in 2010 and shows the modified Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia.

On the reverse of the ten dinara coin is mentioned the denominational value of the coin in figure and letters and the year of minting. The coin also shows the edifice of the Studenica Monastery in the 2003 and 2005 issues. This coin was issued in 2003.
 In the 2009 issues, motifs of the 25^th Summer Universiade in Belgrade are shown.

(The Studenica monastery is a Serbian Orthodox monastery situated near Kraljevo in Central Serbia. It is one of the largest and richest Serb Orthodox monasteries, founded by Stefan Nemanja in 1190. The monastery is best known for its collection of 13^th and 14^th century Byzantine style fresco paintings. The monastery contains two churches – the Church of the Virgin and the Church of the King, both constructed in white marble. Tudenica monastery has been placed in the list of “Monument of Culture of Exceptional Importance” in 1979 and in the list of World Heritage sites of UNESCO in 1986). 

On the obverse of the ten dinara coin is shown:

In the 02.07.2003 Series: Issuer’s symbols, with the text NBS written in Latin and Cyrillic letters) and logo of the National Bank. The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (Copper: 70 %; Nickel: 12%; Zinc: 18%). Diameter: 26 mm; Weight: 7.77 gms.

In the 02.07.2005 Series and 26.06.2009 Series: National symbols (Republic of Serbia Coat of Arms and the text Republic of Serbia written in Latin and Cyrillic letters) and issuer’s symbols as in the earlier issues. The specifications of this coin are: Metal Composition: (70%; Nickel: 12.0%; Zinc: 18.0%); Diameter: 26 mm; weight: 7.77 gms.

This coin was issued in 2003 and is one of the first few issues in this denomination. 

On the reverse of the twenty dinara coin is mentioned the denominational value of the coin in figure and letters and the year of minting. The coin also shows the Temple or Cathedral of St. Sava Church in Vracar in the 02.07.2003 issues as in this image.

(The Temple (Serbian “hram”) or Cathedral of Saint Sava is a Serbian orthodox church which is the largest Orthodox Church in the World and is among the ten largest church buildings in the World. The Church is dedicated to Saint Sava the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church on the site where his remains were said to have been burned in 1595 by Sinan Pasha, of the Ottoman Empire).

Later coin issues had the portraits of Nikola Tesla (30.07.2006 issues), Dositej Obradovic (10.12.2007 issues), Milutin Milankovic (26.06.2009 issues), Georg Weifert (16.06.2010 issues), Ivo Andric (20.05.2011 issues) and Mihajlo Pupin.

(Dositej Obradovic (1742 – 1811): was a Serbian author, philosopher, linguist, traveler, polyglot and Minister of Education. He advocated Serbian cultural and National renaissance. He is the founder of modern Serbian literature. He became a monk in the Serb Orthodox monastery. He also translated several European classics including “Aesop’s Fables” into Serbian.

Milutin Milankovic (1879 – 1958): detailed description given below under 2000 dinar banknotes.

Georg Weifert or Dorde Vajfert (1850 – 1937): detailed description given below under 1000 dinar banknotes.

Ivan “Ivo” Andric (1892 – 1975): was a Yugoslav novelist, short story writer and the 1961 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. His writings mainly dealt with life in his native Bosnia under the Ottoman Empire).

Mihajlo Pupin (1858 – 1935): was a Serbian physicist and physical chemist. He had several patents to his name including a method of extending long-distance telephone communication by placing loading wire coils at predetermined intervals along the transmitting wire known as “pupinization”. He was one of the Founding members of National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1915, which has since transformed into NASA)

Seven issues of the coin were circulated.

On the obverse of the twenty dinara coin is shown:

In the 02.07.2003 issues, 30.07.2006 issues, 10.12.2007 issues, 26.06.2009 issues,16.06.2010 issues, 20.05.2011 issues and 08.06.2012 issues, : the Republic of Serbia Coat of Arms, Issuer’s symbols, with the text NBS written in Latin and Cyrillic letters) and logo of the National Bank of Serbia.

The specifications of all these issues are: Metal Composition: (Copper: 70 %; Nickel: 12%; Zinc: 18%). Diameter: 28 mm; Weight: 9.00 gms.

The obverse of the coin issued in 2003.

Currency/Banknotes:

In 1876, the first modern dinar Banknotes were introduced in the denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 “dinara”.

In 1884, Chartered National Bank issued banknotes in 10 dinara denomination and also issued silver and gold notes for 50 and 100 dinara denominations.

Later, in 1905, 20 dinara gold notes and 100 dinara silver notes were issued.

In 1915, stamps were circulated as bank notes in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 50 para.

In 1941 - 1943, the Second modern Dinar Banknotes were issued by the Serbian National Bank in the denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 dinara.

In 2003, Banknotes of the National Bank of Serbia were introduced in the denominations of 100, 1000 and 5000 dinara.

In 2004, 500 dinara banknotes were introduced.

In 2005, 50 dinara banknotes were introduced.

In 2006, 10 and 20 dinara notes were issued.

In 2011, 2000 dinara notes were circulated.

On 01.01.2007 banknotes issued by the National Bank of Yugoslavia which were circulated between 2000 and 2003 were withdrawn from circulation.

On the Front the 10 Dinar Banknote there is the portrait of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic, his writing kit and an open book (exhibits from the standing collection of the Museum devoted to both Vuk S. Karadzic and Dositej Obradovic) and three letters of modern Serbian alphabet. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “deset dinara” alongside the numeral “10”, denoting the denomination of the banknote.

On the Back, the 10 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is the photo of Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic, participants in the first Slavic Congress held in Prague in 1848 and vignette of letters. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote, against an ochre background.

(Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic (1784 – 1864) was a Serbian philologist and linguist who was a major reformer of the Serbian language. His collection of songs, fairy tales and riddles have earned him the nickname “Father of the study of Serbian folklore”. He also authored the first Serbian dictionary in his new reformed language).

The colour of the Banknote is predominantly ochre-yellow with brown and yellow tones.

The size of the Note is 62 mm x 131 mm. The 2006 series 10 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 19.05.2006, while the 2011 Series 10 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 30.09.2011.

On the Front of the 20 Dinar Banknote there is the portrait of Petar Petrovic Njegos, with a line sketch of the Cetinje Monastery towards the right of the portrait. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “dvadeset dinara” alongside the numeral “20” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Petar II Petrovic Njegos (1813-1851) was the Prince – Bishop of Montenegro, the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan of Citinje. He was a philosopher and poet who through his establishment of Montenegrin secular Organs was responsible for the secularization of Montenegro. He was the most acclaimed poet of his time).

On the back of the 20 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically,  there is a portrait of Petar II Petrovic Njegos taken from a decorative miniature which featured on the first Slavic Octoechos, printed in Citinje in 1494, mountain range of Komovi. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against a green background.

The colour of the Banknote is green, ochre-yellow and discreetly black.

The size of the Note is 64 mm x 135 mm.

The 2006 series 20 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 18.07.2006, while the 2011 Series 20 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 30.09.2011.

On the Front of the 50 Dinar Banknote there is the portrait of the composer Stevan Stevanovic Mokranjac, and stylized depiction of a part of violin, keyboards and scores from the Mokranjac Legacy to the right of the portrait. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “pedeset dinara” alongside the numeral “50” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Stevan Stojanovic (1856 – 1914) was a Serbian composer and music educator. His work was focused mainly on bringing the spirit of Valach Serbian unwritten/oral folk poems into an organized art form. A significant number of his works were composed for church services. Some of his notable works include – fifteen “Rukoveti” based on songs and music on motives of Serbian folk music from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia Proper, Montenegro, Kosovo and Metoija, Macedonia and Bulgaria, “Tebe pojem” and “Cherubic Hymn”).

On the back of the 50 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is an image of musician Stevan Stojanovic Mokranjac. To the right of his image, is a motif of Miraslav Gospel illumination and scores. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against a lilac background.

The colour of the Banknote is Violet with an ochre hue.

The size of the Note is 66 mm x 139 mm.

 The 2006 series 50 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 15.11.2005, while the 2011 Series 50 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 30.06.2011.

On the Front of the 100 Dinar Banknote, there is the portrait of Scientist Nikola Tesla, mathematical formulae for unit of magnetic flux density, an image of an electrical discharge and an image of Tesla’s plant. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “sto dinara” alongside the numeral “100” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Nikola Tesla (1856 – 1943) was a Serbian – American inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, physicist and futurist, best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system. Tesla gained experience in telephony and engineering and emigrated to the USA where in 1884 he worked with Thomas A. Edison. He set up several laboratories and companies for developing a range of electrical devices and patented the AC induction motor among other novel innovations/inventions. In 1960, the General Conference on Weights and Measures for the International System of Units gave the name “Tesla” to the SI unit measure for magnetic field strength).

On the Back of the 100 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is an image of Nikola Tesla, based on his photograph kept in his Museum in Belgrade, a sketch of Tesla’s electro-magnetic induction engine and Tesla’s dove. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against a blue background.

The colour of the Banknote is predominantly light and marine blue, with greenish and ochre yellow tones.

The size of the Note is 68 mm x 143 mm.

The 2003 series 100 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 02.07.2003, the 2004 series 100 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 17.09.2004, and the 2006 series 100 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 20.10.2006, while the 2012 Series 100 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 11.05.2012.

On the Front of the 200 Dinar Banknote, there is the portrait of Artist Nadezda Petrovic and her sculpture. There is also a silhouette of the Gracanica Monastery as well as a painter’s Brush.  The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “dvesta dinara” alongside the numeral “200” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Nadezda Petrovic (1873 – 1915) is the most important Serbian woman painter specializing in “Impressionist” and “Fauvist” Art Forms/styles. She closed her teaching studio in 1914 and volunteered to serve as a nurse in World War I).

On the Back of the 200 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is an image of Nadezda Petrovic shown as a volunteer nurse in the First Balkan War. There is also a silhouette of the Gracanica Monastery, a part of a painting by Petrovic.  The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against a gray-blue background.

The colour of the Banknote is predominantly amber red and brown with blue tones.

The size of the Note is 70 mm x 147 mm.

The 2005 series 200 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 02.07.2005, while the 2011 Series 200 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 30.09.2011.

On the Front of the 500 Dinar Banknote, there is the portrait of Geographer Jovan Cvijic, together with stylized geographical cross-sections of the globe to the right of the portrait. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “petsto dinara” alongside the numeral “500” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Jovan Cvijic (1865 – 1927) was a Serbian geographer, President of the Serbian Royal Academy of Sciences and Rector of the University of Belgrade. He was a world renowned scientist and considered to be the founder of Geography and geology in Serbia. He was also a noted anthropogeographer and sociologist. He published several important scientific works, one of the most important ones being on “The Balkan Peninsula”).

On the Back of the 500 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is an image of Jovan Cvijic together with stylized ethno motifs. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against a green background.

The colour of the Banknote is Blue green tones with greenish and yellowish colours.

The size of the Note is 70 mm x 147 mm.

The 2004 series 500 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 17.04.2004, while the 2011 Series 500 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 30.12.2011 and the 2012 issues were put into circulation from 07.12.2012.

On the Front of the 1000 Dinar Banknote, there is the portrait of Dorde Vajfert. There is a picture of Vajfert’s beer brewery to his left and a hologram image of St. Djordje slaying a dragon. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “hiljadu dinara” alongside the numeral “1000” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Dorde Vajfert (1850 – 1937) was a Serbian industrialist and Governor of the National Bank of Serbia and later, Governor of the National Bank of Yugoslavia. He is regarded as the founder of modern mining sector in Serbia).

On the Back of the 1000 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is an image of Dorge Vajfert seated. In the background is depicted an image of the National Bank’s Main Building and the image of a medal. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against a reddish background.

The colour of the Banknote is predominantly bright red, with yellowish and gray blue tones.

The size of the Banknote is 72 mm x 151 mm.

The 2003 series 1000 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 24.03.2003 and 15.09.2003, while the 2006 Series 1000 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 18.07.2006 and the 2011 issues were put into circulation from 30.12.2011.

On the Front of the 2000 Dinar Banknote, there is the portrait of Milutin Milankovic on the left and another one of him sitting at a desk in the centre of the Banknote. Also shown on the Banknote is a graphic presentation of his calculations of the movement of the snow line for the past portion of the Quarternary of 600000 years. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “dve hiljade dinara” alongside the numeral “2000” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Milutin Milankovic was a Serbian mathematician, astronomer, geophysicist, climatologist, civil engineer, technologist, university professor and writer. He made two important contributions to global science: the first being the “Canon of the Earth’s Insolation” which characterizes the climates of all the planets of the Solar System, while the second contribution is the explanation of Earth’s long – term climate changes in the position of the Earth vis-à-vis the Sun, now called the “Milankovitch cycles” which explained the ice ages occurring in the geological past of the Earth and future climate changes on Earth. He is also the founder of cosmic climatology).

On the Back of the 2000 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is an image of a standing Milutin Milankovic. There is also a portion of a stylized presentation of the sun disk in the centre. A representation of his work “The Path of the north Celestial Pole” also appears on the Banknote. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against an olive background.

The colour of the Banknote is predominantly grey olive, with yellowish-orange and gray blue nuances.

The size of the Banknote is 74 mm x 155 mm.

The 2011 series 2000 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 30.12.2011 while the 2012 Series 2000 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 07.12.2012.

On the Front of the 5000 Dinar Banknote, there is the portrait of Slobodan Jovanovic. The logo of the National Bank of Serbia is also seen on the front, with the words “Narodna Banka Srbije”. There are also the words “pet hiljada dinara” alongside the numeral “5000” denoting the denomination of the banknote.

(Slobodan Jovanovic was one of Serbia’s most prolific historians, sociologists, journalists and literary critics. He was one of the greatest authorities on constitutional law. Well versed in Serbian prose style, he was also a leader in the Serbian intelligentsia).

On the Back of the 5000 Dinar Banknote, when viewed vertically, there is an image of Slobodan Jovanovic. In the background is a view of the Federal Parliament together with an image of the seating arrangement inside the Parliament building. The great Coat of Arms of the Republic of Serbia is in the top left hand corner of the Banknote against a mauve background.

The colour of the Banknote is predominantly green, with violet and gray-yellow tones.

The size of the Banknote is 76 mm x 159 mm.

 The 2003 series 5000 dinar banknote was released into circulation on 02.07.2003 while the 2010 Series 5000 dinar banknote bearing the same designs on front and back was released on 26.11.2010.

Coat of Arms of Serbia:

The current Coat of Arms of Serbia has been adopted since 2004. It underwent a slight modification in 2010, while retaining most of the earlier basic elements.  

The Crest consists of a golden crown. 

The Escutcheon: Gules, a bicephalic eagle Argent armed Or, two fleur – de – lis Or. Overall an escutcheon Gules, a cross Argent between four firesteels Argent.

Other Elements: A Coat of Arms is draped with a crimson (porphyry) mantle embroidered gold, with a golden fringe, toed up with golden braid with tassels of the same, lined with ermine. Above the mantle is a pavilion gules again with nine fleur – de – lis Or and crowned with a golden crown.

(Although Serbia is now a Republic, the Coat of Arms also features the crown of the former monarchy).

(The previous Coat of Arms of the Socialist Republic of Serbia was in use from 1947 to 2009).

Explanations of terms used in the Coat of Arms:

GULES: (red in Heraldry)

OR: (tincture gold or yellow in Armorial bearings)

Fleur – de – lis : (A lily-flower, also referred to as the Heraldic lily)

ARGENT: (The silver of a Coat of Arms or silvery white or the white colour in Heraldry or armorial bearings)

(The coins and Banknotes are from the collection of Ajit George. Scanning done and article researched and written by Rajeev Prasad )