133) US Bicentennial Coins (quarter, half dollar and dollar) issued in 1975 and 1976 by the US Mint:

133) US Bicentennial Coins (quarter, half dollar and dollar) issued in 1975 and 1976 by the US Mint:

The Programme for Minting Commemorative coins by the US Mint:

Since 1892, the United States Mint had been issuing commemorative coins to celebrate several anniversaries and events.

 An interesting feature of this programme was that those Organisations which wanted to issue commemorative coins would get an authorisation from the US Congressto get a particular commemorative coin with a proposed design issued by the US Mint, then they would buy all the coins issued by the Mint and later sell them to collectors/public at a premium.

However, sometimes, the coins did not catch the Public’s/Numismatist’s fancy and had to be sold at a discount, leading to a substantial loss to the promoters.

For example, half dollar coins honouring Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver, which were minted over a period of time (last being minted in 1954) were originally priced at $3.50, but had to be sold at discounted prices repeatedly, due to poor marketing, buyer’s disinterest and ready availability of the coins, leading to a loss of about $150,000 to its promoters which was a huge sum of money in 1954.

This was the final straw which led to the Department of Treasury and the U.S. Congress becoming extremely cautious thereafter and coming up with a policy that no fresh proposals would henceforth be considered under this programme.

The U.S. Bicentennial Celebrations (1776-1976): The process through which the Bill to mint Commemorative coins was approved all over again:

In 1966, the American Revolutionary Bicentennial Commission (ARBC) was set up to plan, review and co-ordinate all activities related to the 1976 bicentennial celebrations of American Independence.

In 1970, the ARBC formed a “Coins and Medals Advisory Committee”, which initially proposed minting of a commemorative special design half-dollar for the Bicentennial Celebrations and later revised their recommendations to include all denominations of US Coinage. Having already had the bitter experience of the failure of the Booker T. Washington and George Washington Carver commemorative issues, the US Treasury opposed any such issues.

Later, the ARBC got the US Mint to agree that at least one coin could be issued, notwithstanding the Mint’s difficulty in accommodation two dates on one face of the coin. Later the Treasury too, came round to supporting the proposed Bicentennial Coin Bill.

By beginning 1973, several Bills were introduced by individual legislators, including one proposing minting of $25 gold coins, most of whose proposed designs/metal composition were found unsuitable for minting.

In June/July 1973, a Bill for issuing a Commemorative Bicentennial Quarter, half dollar and dollar to be struck in 40% clad silver versions, at West Point Mint found favour of the Senate Banking Committeeand was cleared by the Senate.

Another Bill was taken up in September 1973, which stood for only circulating Bicentennial Commemorative coins.

A Conference Committee of the two Houses after deliberating the pros and cons of various proposals, proposed a Bill authorising changes to the reverses of the quarter, half dollar and dollar, but kept the obverses unchanged except for bearing a double date. All coins to be minted after 04.07.1975 (commencement of the Bicentennial celebrations) and before 01.01.1977, were required to bear the bicentennial dates and designs. The U.S. Mint was also authorised to issue 45000000 silver clad coins (or 15000000 sets of three coins each of various denominations – quarter, half dollar and dollar) to be minted at West Point Mint. All the circulating coins were to be nickel clad as hither-to-before.

On 04.10.1973, this Bill was cleared by both Houses of Congress and on 18.10.1973 signed by the President.

The selection of the reverse side designs for the Bicentennial quarter dollar, half dollar and dollar:

On 23.10.1973, the Department of Treasury announced a competition for the three reverse designs open to all U.S. citizens. All designs were to include the inscriptions “QUARTER DOLLAR”, “HALF DOLLAR” and “DOLLAR” for the three coin designs and also include the motto “E.PLURIBUS UNUM” (Latin for “Out of Many One”) on the reverse along with country name.

From a short-list of twelve designs a panel of Judges first narrowed down the list to six and, subsequently, the winners were announced on 06.03.1974.

The selected designs:

a)   The design for the quarter:

Obverse of the quarter remained unchanged except for the double date "1776-1976".

 The finally selected design featured a colonial drummer. Towards the left upper periphery was a “torch of victory” surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original states which joined the US Federation. This design was submitted by Jack L. Ahr. His initials “JLA” appear below the left elbow of the portrait of the drummer on this coin.

On top of periphery the coin is mentioned “UNITED STATES of AMERICA” (Notice that “of” has been mentioned in small letters, while all other inscriptions are in Capital letters, perhaps to maintain symmetry of the inscriptions on this coin). On the lower periphery is mentioned “QUARTER DOLLAR”. Above the drummer’s right arm is the inscription “E. PLURIBUS UNUM” (in Latin meaning “Out of Many One” – which was included because it was a prerequisite for the qualifying coin designs).

 I am still wondering as to why the USA still sticks to this piece of Latin phrase, one of which interpretations,  suggests that it as  “one country” lost in a “Crowd of Nations”. Perhaps “TOON” (“Towering Over Other Nations”) would be a better phrase, but then it is only my view. Is some “Review Committee” taking note of this??

A rumour, perhaps started by the “losers” in the design competition was afloat that JLA who owned a (Commercial Arts Firm) had “stolen” his drummer design from a 1973 Bicentennial stamp an accusation that he stoutly refuted. But then, some two hundred years ago there were not many designs or standards to choose from and most of them were “Artist’s personal impressions”. So, I don’t blame Ahr, if his design seemed to be “vagely familiar”. Come to think of it, where did the designer of the Bicentennial stamp get his Drummer design inspiration from?

The controversial Drummer Design on the Bicentennial Stamp.

The above is a scanned image of the cover of a book “An outline of American History” (bearing the “Spirit of ‘76” painting by A. M. Willard painted a century after the signing of the Declaration of Independence) received by my father (Late) Dr. J.N. Prasad from the United States Information Service in December 1983, which was in his Library and is now in my personal Library.

This image is remarkably similar to JLA’s selected design. No wonder his detractors were “Up-in-Arms” against the selection. The same goes for the designer of the Bicentennial stamp.

The design for the Half dollar:

The approved design for the half dollar was a portrait of the Independence Hall designed by Seth Huntington (who was the Head artist at a Publishing Firm). His initials appear below the inscription “E. PLURIBUS UNUM” on the right hand side of the coin.

On the upper periphery of the coin is mentioned “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”, on the lower periphery is mentioned the denomination of the coin “HALF DOLLAR”. On the left side of the coin is mentioned “200 YEARS OF FREEDOM”.  Below the portrait is the inscription “INDEPENDENCE HALL”. Further below are thirteen stars representing the original states which joined the US Federation in 1776.

To me, this looks like a “straight lift” from the Back of the $100 “Ben” Bill, but then, I could be way off the “Mark” (oops!! that’s German currency), sorry “dollar”.

b)   The design for the dollar:

Type I dollar Reverse minted by the San Francisco Mint.

Type II dollar Reverse minted by the San Francisco Mint

By all accounts, Dennis William (an Art student), who was the youngest of the successful contestants design of the Liberty Bell superimposed against the Moon was the best design for the dollar.

The Minting:

On 12.08.1974, the prototypes were minted in silver without any mint marks. Later, with a few coin sets being given as mementos to a few dignitaries, the other prototypes were melted down.

Take another look at the quarter dollar coin in my collection shown above. It appears to have no mint mark!! (Could it be one of the prototypes at one of the authorised mints or has the mint mark been erased with constant circulation of this coin?).

In November 1974, bookings were taken by the US Mint for silver clad pieces at $15 for the 3-coin proof sets and $9 for the 3-coin uncirculated sets. An initial limit of five sets per person was set. Later, the price was reset for the proof sets to $12 owing to a public outcry that the pricing was exorbitant and the order limit was removed. Suitable refunds were made wherever required to those collectors who had booked at the earlier price. As another incentive, the pricing of uncirculated sets was reduced to $7 for bulk purchases of 50 sets or more.

By 1976, the San Francisco Assay Office, (later the San Francisco Mint – Mint mark “S”) completed its Congressional Authorisation of 45000000 silver coins (or 15000000 silver coins sets of the three denominations each, of these 11 million sets were in Uncirculated quality and 5 million  sets were in Proof quality).

Meanwhile, the San Francisco Mint had also, begun striking base metal coins, supplementing the Denver (mint mark “D”) and Philadelphia (mint mark “P”) base metal strikes. The first few strikes proved to be a disaster – the copper nickel dollar was striking indistinctly, a variation/deviation which was not seen in the silver dollars.

Accordingly, the San Francisco Mint modified the dies so as to have sharper strikes of the copper nickel dollar. These strikes are termed as Type II coins, the chief distinction being that they have narrower and sharper lettering on the reverse.

Interestingly for collectors, all silver dollar coins minted for the three-coin silver sets in 1975 by the San Francisco Mint are Type I strikes, while those minted in 1976 are Type II strikes.

Decline in demand for the Bicentennial Coins:

By 1977, as enacted by Legislation, the old designs returned to the quarter, half and dollar designs. However, a sufficiently large number of bicentennial coins had been minted by the US Mint in anticipation of an unprecedented demand for the Bicentennial coins by the American citizens/Numismatists/museums and Educational instututions.

By 1979, nevertheless, huge quantities of the silver proof and uncirculated sets remained unsold. The problem was compounded when an increase in the price of silver, the sets had to be removed from sale.

By 1980, to get out of massive unsold stock, the silver coin sets were again put on sale by the US Mint at increased prices of $15 for proof sets and $12 for uncirculated sets, but there were few takers.

By 1981, on reduction in silver prices, the silver coin sets were re-priced at $15 for proof and $12 for uncirculated sets, but, again there were few takers.

In 1982, a huge quantity of silver sets were melted down. A sad commentary on the Bicentennial coin sets programme which was expected to be a “must have” for all patriotic American citizens by the Programme planners as well as legislators.

By 1986, all sales of the Bicentennial silver sets came to a permanent halt.

A point to note is that as the Bicentennial coins were minted in extremely large quantities, they did not gain in much value for the Collectors.

Nevertheless, if you ask me these Bicentennial silver coin sets and the circulated copper nickel coins are “priceless” mementos, as they commemorate the sacrifices of freedom loving Americans two centuries ago, which have made the USA what it is today, a leader among Freedom loving Nations!!

Links: 
1) America the Beautiful Quarters Programme - 2015 
2) America the Beautiful Quarters Programme - 2014 
3) America the Beautiful Quarters Programme -2013 
4) America the Beautiful Quarters Programme - 2012 
5) America the Beautiful Quarters Programme - 2011 
6) America the Beautiful Quarters Programme - 2010 
7) The Great Seal of the USA 
8) State Quarter Dollar Programme 
9) Susan B. Anthony Dollar 
10) Native American Themed Dollar Programme 
11) Westward Journey Nickels 
12) New $ 100 Bill with Additional Security Features 
13) The strange case of me becoming a US citizen without even applying for it, thanks to the US Mint
14) Forever Stamps: Commemorating the 150th Anniversary of the US Civil War 1861-1865 
15) Commemorating the 225th Anniversary of the U.S. Marshals Service with coins 
16) American Gold Eagle Coins 
17)  American Gold Buffalo Coins

132) Bosnia & Herzegovina: Currency & Coinage: Convertible Mark (“Konvertibilna Marka”) and Fenings:

   132) Bosnia & Herzegovina: Currency & Coinage: Convertible Mark (“Konvertibilna Marka”) and Fenings:  

  A Brief about Bosnia and Herzegovina:

Bosnia and Herzegovina was first settled by humans in the Neolithic Age, followed by Illyrian and Celtic civilizations. Later, it was settled by the Slavic people from the 6^th century AD onwards. The Slavs initially through small settlements established the Banate of Bosnia (1154) and later the Kingdom of Bosnia (1377). 

The Ottoman Empire annexed the area in 1463 and ruled these territories from the 15^th century to late 19^th century AD, which brought a Muslim culture to this Area. Later, these territories were ruled by the Austro-Hungarian dynasty (from 1878) upto World War I. At this time, Bosnia was part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. After World War II, the country was granted full Republic status in the Yugoslav Federation.

Upon the dissolution of the Socialist Republic of Yugoslavia, on 01.03.1992, the country gained its Independence. There are three major ethnic groups - the Bosniaks are the largest group followed by the Serbs and the Croats. This was followed by the Bosnian War in 1995, which was primarily on ethnic lines.

Today the country has a high literacy rate, life expectancy and education levels and is renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. It has a very good tourism traffic which is expected to grow to the third highest growth rate in the World by the end of this decade.

The Bosnia & Herzegovina Convertible Mark:

The Bosnia & Herzegovina Convertible Mark (or “maraka” in plural) is the currency of Bosnia & Herzegovina. It is sub-divided into 100 fenings or “feninga” (in plural). However, when the currency is mentioned in English, then ten “feningas” is incorrect as the last “a’ in feninga already is plural, but ten “fenings” is correct. Similarly, ten Marks in English is correct, but not “ten marakas” (which is already plural).

Between 1992 and 1998, upon Bosnia and Herzegovina gaining its independence from Yugoslavia, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Dinar was the currency of the independent country, replacing the 1990 Series of the Yugoslav Dinar at an exchange rate of 1 Bosnian dinar to 10 Yugoslav “1990 Dinara”.

Later, the Bosnian Dinar was placed at par with the 1992 series of the Yugoslav Dinar. The initial issues of the Bosnian Dinara were simply overstamps on the Yugoslavian Banknotes.

High inflation led to the introduction of a second Bosnian Dinar in 1994, which replaced the first Bosnian Dinar at an exchange rate of 1 new Dinar to 10000 old Dinara. While this currency circulated in the areas under Bosnaik control, a “Croatian dinar” and “Kuna” circulated in the territories under Croatian domination and the “Republika Sprska Dinar” circulated in territories with Serbian predominance.

In 1995, owing to rampant inflation in the country, the Konvertible Mark was agreed upon, under the Dayton Agreement to replace the existing currencies in circulation, viz. the Bosnia and Herzegovina Dinar, Croatian Kuna and Republika Srpska Dinar as the currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Konvertible Mark was based on the German Mark, a currency to which the KM was pegged to at par.

In 1998, the “Konvertibil Marka” (Convertible Mark) , issued by the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina, became legal tender in all the territories of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation and the Republika Srpska. The Konvertibil Marka was convertible into the Deutsche Mark and upon Germany joining the European Union, was convertible into the Euro.

 In 2002, the Bosnian KM was fixed to the Euro at the German Mark fixed exchange rate of 1 Euro to 1.95583 KM or BAM or 1 KM to 0.51129 Euro (the ISO 4217 code assigned to the Konvertibil Marka- KM).

Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (or “Centralna banks Bosne i Hercegovine”):

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina was set up on 20.06.1997. Its primary function is to maintain monetary stability by issuing domestic currency and establishing, supervision and implementation of monetary policy. Its Head Office is located in Sarajevo, its main units are the Main Unit Sarejevo, the Main Bank of Republika Srpska CBBH Banja Luka and Main Unit Mostar. Its two branches are the CBBH Branch in Brcko and the Main Bank of Republika Srpska CBBH Branch in Pale.

Since 1998, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina issues Banknotes with distinct designs for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska which are legal tender throughout the country.

Coinage of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

In 1998, in terms of the Dayton Agreement, coins were issued in the denominations of 10, 20 and 50 fenings. The coins have all been issued by the Royal Mint, London and released into circulation on 09.12.1998 except for the 5 fenings coin which was put into circulation from 05.01.2006.

In 2000, 1 and 2 Maraka coins were circulated.

In 2005, 5 Fenings and 5 Maraka coins were minted/issued.

On the obverse of the 5 Fenings coin is shown the map of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name of the country is mentioned as “Bosna I Hercegovina” (meaning “Bosnia and Herzegovina”) both in Latin and Cyrillic scripts. The denomination of the coin “5” is mentioned as well as “feninga” (meaning “fenings”).

On the reverse of the 5 Fenings coin is shown the Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name of the country “Bosna I Hercegovina”, and the year of minting.

The specifications of this coin are:

Diameter: 18 mm; Weight: 2.66 gms; Edge: reeded; Metal Composition: nickel-plated steel. This denomination was minted in 2005 and issued into circulation on 2006. 

On the obverse of the 10 Fenings coin is shown the map of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name of the country is mentioned as “Bosna I Hercegovina” (meaning “Bosnia and Herzegovina”) in both Latin and Cyrillic scripts. The denomination of the coin “10” is mentioned as well as “feninga” (meaning “fenings”).

 On the reverse of the 10 Fenings coin is shown the Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name of the country “Bosna I Hercegovina”, and the year of issue is mentioned as “1998” on this coin. This is one of the first few coins issued under this Series. This denomination was also minted in 2004. 

 

The specifications of this coin are:

Diameter: 20 mm; Weight: 3.90 gms; Edge: plain; Metal Composition: copper-plated steel. 

On the obverse of the 20 Fenings coin is shown the map of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name of the country is mentioned as “Bosna I Hercegovina” (meaning “Bosnia and Herzegovina”). The denomination of the coin “20” is mentioned as well as “feninga” (meaning “fenings”).

On the reverse of the 20 Fenings coin is shown the Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name of the country “Bosna I Hercegovina”, and the year of issue is mentioned as “2004” on this coin. This is one of the last few coins minted under this Series so far, in circulation. This denomination was first minted in 1998. 

The specifications of this coin are:

Diameter: 22 mm; Weight: 4.50 gms; Edge: reeded; Metal Composition: copper-plated steel.

                          

On the obverse of the 50 Fenings coin is shown the map of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The name of the country is mentioned as “Bosna I Hercegovina” (meaning “Bosnia and Herzegovina”). The denomination of the coin “50” is mentioned as well as “feninga” (meaning “fenings”).

                       

On the reverse of the 50 Fenings coin is shown the Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name of the country “Bosna I Hercegovina”, and the year of issue is mentioned as “1998” on this coin. 

The specifications of this coin are:

Diameter: 24 mm; Weight: 5.15 gms; Edge: reeded; Metal Composition: copper-plated steel. 

On the obverse of the 1 Marka coin is shown the name of the country mentioned as “Bosna I Hercegovina” (meaning “Bosnia and Herzegovina”). The denomination of the coin “1 KM” is mentioned on this face. There is an inverted triangle both on the top and bottom peripheries which are meant as identification assists for the visually challenged persons.

On the reverse of the 1 Marka coin is shown the Coat of Arms/Emblem of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the name of the country “Bosna I Hercegovina”, and the year of issue is mentioned as “2000” on this coin. This denomination was also issued in 2003 and 2006. 

The specifications of this coin are:

Diameter: 23.25 mm; Weight: 4.95 gms; Edge: milled and smooth; Metal Composition: nickel-plated steel. 

On the obverse of the 2 Maraka coin is shown the name of the country mentioned as “Bosna I Hercegovina” (meaning “Bosnia and Herzegovina”). The denomination of the coin “2 KM” is mentioned on this face. There are two inverted triangles both on the top and bottom peripheries which are meant as identification assists for the visually challenged persons.

On the reverse of the 2 Maraka coin is shown the Dove of peace, the name of the country “Bosna I Hercegovina”, and the year of issue is mentioned as “2003” on this coin. This denomination was also issued in 2000 and 2002. 

The specifications of this coin are:

Diameter: 25.75 mm; Weight: 6.90 gms; Edge: milled and smooth; Metal Composition: copper-nickel (inner ring), nickel-brass (outer ring). 

On the obverse of the 5 Maraka coin is shown the name of the country mentioned as “Bosna I Hercegovina” (meaning “Bosnia and Herzegovina”). The denomination of the coin “5 KM” is mentioned on this face. There are five inverted triangles both on the top and bottom peripheries which are meant as identification assists for the visually challenged persons. 

On the reverse of the 5 Maraka coin is shown the Dove of peace, the name of the country “Bosna I Hercegovina”, and the year of issue is mentioned as “2005” on this coin.

The specifications of this coin are:

Diameter: 30.00 mm; Weight: 10.35 gms; Edge: milled; Metal Composition: nickel brass (inner ring), copper-nickel (outer ring).

Banknotes of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska:

In 1998, Banknotes in the denominations of 50 fenings, 1 Marka, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Marakas were circulated.

In 2002, 200 Maraka Banknotes were circulated.

On 31.03.2003, circulation of 50 Fenings Banknotes was withdrawn due to inflation.

Recently withdrawn Currency/Banknotes:

On 31.03.2009, 1 Marka Banknotes were withdrawn from circulation due to rampant inflation.

The Front of the 1 Konvertibil Marka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes showed the portrait of writer Ivan Franjo Jukic.

(Ivan Franjo Jukic (08.07.1818-20.05.1857): He was a writer from Bosnia and Herzegovina and wrote under the pseudonym “Slavoljub Basnjak”. His life and cultural and political works have left an indelible mark on the cultural history of Bosnia and Herzegovina and he is remembered as one of the founders of Bosnian modernism. He advocated insurgencies against the decadent Ottoman Empire for bringing about modernity, National liberation and civic order.  He was the Founder-editor of the first literary magazine in Bosnia and Herzegovina called “Bosanski prijatelj” (Bosnian Friend). He advocated religion-independent cultural identity and universal civic education, not tied to any religious affiliation. In 1850, he put forward his famous “Zelje i molbe kristjanah u Bosni i Hercegovini, koje ponizno prikazuju mjegovom velicanstvu sretnovladajucem sultanu Abdul-Medzidu”, which was the first draft of a European inspired civic constitution in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for the consideration of the government of the Ottoman Empire through which he demanded that all residents of occupied territories of the Ottoman Empire be treated as proper citizens and not as second class citizens).

The Back of the 1 Marka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes showed a fragment from the “Stecak Stolak” (tombstone).

(A brief about tombstones is placed at the end of this post).

Again, on 31.03.2010, 5 Maraka Banknotes were withdrawn from circulation, making the 10 Maraka Banknotes the lowest denomination of Banknote, presently, in circulation.

The Front of the Five Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes showed the portrait of writer Mehmed “Mesa” Selimovic.

(Mehmed “Mesa” Selimovic (26.04.1910-11.07.1982): was a Yugoslavian writer. His first novel “Dervis i smrt” (“Death and the Dervish” is one of the most important literary works in post-World War II Yugoslavia. Some of the main themes in his writings were the relations between individuality and authority, life and death and existential issues. He was a member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts and the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His first book which was a collection of short stories “Prva ceta” (The first Company) was published in 1950. His other works include “Tisine” (Silences), “Tuda zemlja” (Foreign Land), “Magla I mjesecina” (Mist and Moonlight), “Tvrdava” (The Fortress), “Ostrvo” (The Island), “Krug” (The Circle) and his autobiography “Sjecanja” (Remembering).

The Back of the Five Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes.

(A brief about tombstones is placed at the end of this post).

Presently circulating Currency/Banknotes:

Since 1998, the Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina issues Banknotes with distinct designs for the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska which are legal tender throughout the country.

The issuer of all these Banknotes is “Centralna Banka Bosne I Hercegovine” (meaning the “Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina”). The printer of these Banknotes is Francois – Charles Oberhtur, Fiduciare Paris, except for the 200 Konvertibil Banknotes which was printed by the Oestereichishe Banknoten und Sicherheitsdruck GmBH (OeBS) in Vienna. These Banknotes honour important contributors to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska’s historic and cultural development as well as important heritage sites.

Banknotes issued for Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation:

The Front of the 10 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows the portrait of poet and writer Mehmedalija Mak Dizdar. The size of this Banknote is 130 mm x 65 mm. The colour of this Banknote is orange and light grey. This Banknote was first issued on 22.06.1998 and later in 2008 and 2012. 

(Mehmedalija Mak Dizdar (17.10.1917-14.07.1971): was a Bosnian and Yugoslav poet. During World War II, he supported the Communist partisans. After the war he became a prominent personality in the cultural society of Bosnia and Herzegovina working as Editor-in-Chief of the daily “Oslobodenje” (meaning “Liberation”) and also served in prominent positions in State sponsored publishing houses. He also held the position of President of the Writer’s Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina. His two poetry collections and series of long poems “Kameni spavac” (Stone Sleeper) and Modra Rijeka (Blue river) are considered to be classics. His works were influenced through several different religious thoughts including the pre-Ottoman Bosnian Christian culture, the sayings of the heterodox Islamic visionary mystics and the medieval Bosnian vernacular linguistic idiom).

The Back of the 10 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows a fragment the “Radimlja Tombstone”.

(A brief about tombstones is placed at the end of this post).

The Front of the 20 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows the portrait of writer Antun Branko Simic. The size of this Banknote is 138 mm x 68 mm. The colour of this Banknote is brown. This Banknote was first issued on 27.07.1998 and later in 2008 and 2012. 

(Antun Branko Simic (18.10.1898-02.05.1925): He was a writer and a poet. Starting his works as a Traditionalist, he wrote with unrestrained expression and expressionist spirit. His topics/poetry relates to mankind, pain, poverty, stars, his country Herzegovina, the poor as well as life and death (as if he had a premonition that he was “just passing by” on Earth. As he passed away at an early age of 26 years, he could not leave behind a large volume of literary work. Nevertheless, some of his poems are anthological like “Pjesnici” (Poets), “Vece I ja” (The evening and I), “Opomena” (Warning), “Rucak siromaha” (The Poor Man’s Dinner), “Zene pred uredima” (Women in front offices), “Smrt I ja” (Death and I), “Pjesma jednom brijegu” (Poem to a Mountain), “Preobrazenja” (metamorphosis) etc). 

The Back of the 20 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows a fragment the “Radimlja Tombstone”.

(A brief about tombstones is placed at the end of this post).

The Front of the 50 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows the portrait of writer Musa Cazim Catic. The size of this Banknote is 146 mm x 71 mm. The colour of this Banknote is violet red and violet brown. This Banknote was first issued on 27.07.1998 and later in 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012. 

(Musa Cazim Catic (12.03.1878-06.04.1915): He was a prominent Bosniak poet of the Bosnian Renaissance. He poetically experienced and imaginatively sublimated everything he came into contact with. His poetry dwelt on eroticism as well as mysticism. He developed his own style, representing a phase of advancement and development in modern Bosnian poetry, which won him praise from several literary followers. Some of his popular works are “Pjesme od godine”, “Izovrna poezija” and “izovorna I prevedena proza” etc).His gravestone bears the following obituary “ Here lies a poet of excellent gift, who did not seek honour nor profit but lived bohemian and sang grand, until death escorted him to this grave”. Many schools in Bosnia are named after him).

The Back of the 50 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows a theme from the “Zgosca Tombstone”.

(A brief about this tombstone is placed at the end of this post).

The Front of the 100 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows the portrait of writer Nikola Sop. The size of this Banknote is 154 mm x 74 mm. The colour of this Banknote is brown. This Banknote was first issued on 27.07.1998 and later in 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2012. 

The Back of the 100 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows a theme from the “Zgosca Tombstone”.

(A brief about this tombstone is placed at the end of this post).

The Front of the 200 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows the portrait of writer Ivo Andric. The size of this Banknote is 156 mm x 76 mm. The colour of this Banknote is blue. This Banknote was issued on 15.05.2002. 

(Ivo Andric (09.10.1892-13.03.1975): He was a Yugoslav novelist, short story writer and he won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1961. His writings dealt with mainly the life in Bosnia under the Ottoman Empire. He lived in Visegrad on the river Drina in Eastern Bosnia, where he saw the 16^th century Mehmed Pasha Sokolovic Bridge which became famous through his novel “Na Drini cuprija” (“The Bridge on the Drina”). He started his literary career as a poet. He was one of the first contributors to “Hrvatska mlada lirika” (“Young Croatians Lyrics”). He became a career diplomat in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. In this capacity, he worked at the Hoy see, consulates in Bucharest, Trieste and Graz, Paris and Marseilles, Madrid etc and as Ambassador to Germany and returned at the outbreak of World War II. During World War II, he penned his three famous novels (known as “the Bosnian trilogy”) in Belgrade published in 1945 including “The Bridge on the Drina”, “Bosnian Chronicle” and “The Woman from Sarejevo”. Later he held some posts in the Communist Government and on winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1961, donated the prize money for the improvement of libraries in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some of his other interesting works were : “Ex Ponto”, “Unrest”, “The Journey of Alija Derzelez”, “The Vizier’s Elephant”, The Damned Yard” etc.

The Back of the 200 Konvertibil Maraka Bosnia and Herzegovina Federation Banknotes shows a theme of the Bridge on the River Drina in honour of Ivo Andric.

Only one version of this Banknote was released which is unique for the entire territories of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Banknotes issued for Republika Srpska:

The Front of the 10 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknotes shows the portrait of poet Aleksa Santic. The size of this Banknote is 130 mm x 65 mm. The colour of this Banknote is orange and light gray. This Banknote was first issued on 22.06.1998 and later in 2008 and 2012. 

(Aleksa Santic (27.05.1868-02.02.1924): He was a Bosnian Serb Poet and Editor-in Chief of the review “Zora”. He was one of the founders of a cultural newspaper “Dawn” as the President of the Serbian Singing society “Gusle” (named after a musical instrument). He wrote six volumes of poetry published from 1891 to 1913, some of which are very popular viz: Pod Maglom (In the Fog -1907), Hasan Aginica (1911) etc. He translated several German works, including “Wilhelm Tell”, (“William Tell” was also published as a Classic Illustrated Comic in English, which I have in my collection of all-time Classics).

The Back of the 10 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknotes shows a theme of a Loaf of Bread.

The Front of the 20 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknote shows the portrait of Folk Song Narrator Filip Visnjic (1765 – 1835). The size of this Banknote is 138 mm x 68 mm. The colour of this Banknote is brown. This Banknote was first issued on 27.07.1998 and later in 2008 and 2012. 

(Filip Visnjic (1765-1835): He was a popular Serbian epic poet and “guslar” (“gusle” player – Gusle is a musical instrument). to in his time and which became a valued part of Serbian epic poetry. He is considered to be the best ballad writer and singer of his time. Often described as the “Serbian Homer”, because he was blind and for his poetic gift, he composed poems about historic events of Serbian history which he was witness to. During the first Serbian Uprising against the Ottoman Rule, not able to join the fight because of his physical inability, he boosted the morale of his comrades by composing many songs documenting the battles as epic chronicles. His poems also describe the psychological portraits of the participants who went to battle the Turks. Some of his works “Pocetak bune protiv dahija” (The beginning of the Revolt against Dahijas), “Boj na Cokesini” (Battle of Cokesina) “Boj na Misaru” (Battle of Misar), “Knez Ivo Knezevic” et al are all time classics. Every year in November, his home village Gornja Trnova hosts a cultural programme called “Visnjicevi dani” (Visnjic’s days) at a site where his house once stood in which renowned writers, theoreticians and poets eulogise his contributions in prose and in verse).

The Back of the 20 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknotes shows a Gusle (a musical instrument) in honour of Filip Visnjic.

The Front of the 50 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknotes shows the portrait of writer Jovan Ducic. The size of this Banknote is 146 mm x 71 mm. The colour of this Banknote is violet red and violet brown. This Banknote was first issued on 27.07.1998 and later in 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2012.

(Jovan Ducic (17.02.1871-07.04.1943): He was a Bosnian Serb poet, writer and diplomat. He founded a literary magazine “Zora” (meaning “Dawn”) with writer Svetozar Corovic and poet Aleksa Santic. He published his first book of poetry in Mostar in 1901 and his second in Belgrade in 1912. He wrote prose as well with several essays and studies about writers, “Blago cara Radovana” (“Tsar Radovana’s treasure”) and poetry letters from foreign countries. He had a distinguished diplomatic career as an Ambassador, serving in Istanbul, Sofia, Rome, Athens, Cairo, Madrid and Lisbon. His Acta Diplomatica (Diplomatic Letters was published posthumously. He has several popular writings and poems to his credit).

The Back of the 50 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknotes shows a theme of a pen, eyeglasses and book in honour of Jovan Ducic.

The Front of the 100 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknotes shows the portrait of writer Petar Kocic. The size of this Banknote is 154 mm x 74 mm. The colour of this Banknote is brown. This Banknote was first issued on 27.07.1998 and later in 2002, 2007, 2008 and 2012. 

(Petar Kocic (29.06.1877-27.08.1916): He was a Bosnian Serb writer. Initially, he was a member of a Literary Circle called the “Mlada Bosna” (Bosnian Youth) and contributed to the first Bosnian literary cultural journal “Bosanska vila” (The Bosnian Muse). Later, he founded a magazine “Otadzbina” (Fatherland) and formed a political group which urged Bosnians to overthrow the Austro-Hungarian occupation which made him an enemy of Austria. He even served as an elected member of “Bosanski sabor” (Bosnian Parliament in Sarejevo. He is regarded as one of the best story tellers in Serbian literature. His literary works narrate about Krajina snowstorms and hardships, evoke the dreams and achievements of Bosnian people, despite the occupation of Ottoman Turks and later the Austrians and their aspirations and struggles to be free/liberated people. Two popular collections of tales are simply marvellous – “From the top and bottom of a mountain”, “Howls from Zmijanje”, as well as his two short stories – “Badger on Tribunal” and “Trials” which are satires on the political and social life of the Serbs in Bosnia and Herzegovina).

The Back of the 100 Konvertibil Maraka Republika Srpska Banknotes shows a theme of a pen, eyeglasses and book in honour of Petar Kocic.

Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina: 
 

Coat of Arms of Bosnia and Herzegovina:

One of the earliest Coat of Arms of Bosnia, the Fojnica Arms dates back to 1340.

The above is an image of the Fojnica Coat of Arms.

The above is an image of a gold coin of Tvrtko bearing the Fojnica arms. Tvrtko was a prominent King of Bosnia from the Kotromanic Dynasty.

From 1992 to 1998, the following Coat of Arms was displayed.

This Coat of Arms used by Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1992 to 1998, was similar to that of the Kotromanic Dynasty who ruled Bosnia-Herzegovina and Dalmatia from 1377 to 1463. This Coat consisted of a blue background divided diagonally by a white line which symbolizes the sword of Tvrtko and his might as a ruler. The blue shield also has six gold fleur de lys (symbolizing “Lilium bosniacum” – a variety of lilies found in Bosnia-Herzegovina) in a division of three each on either side of the white line.

This Coat of Arms came in for a lot of criticism from the Bosnian Serbs, as it represented only the Bosniaks.

Accordingly, on 18.08.1998 the following revised Coat of Arms was adopted by Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This Coat of Arms purported to represent the interests of all ethnicities at the macro-level. 

It consists of the typical straight top, oval sides and spiked bottom. The Coat has two background colours – dark blue and gold, both of which are taken from the earlier Coat of Arms. The three pointed shield symbolizes the three major ethnic groups of Bosnia. The top right hand corner forms a yellow triangle symbolizing the shape of Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing the land, sky, rivers and lakes and other natural resources. 

The six stars were adopted to replace the “fleur de lys” of the earlier Arms. The present Coat does not directly relate with Bosnian-Herzegovinian history.  

The Escutcheon (shield with armorial bearings) is described as “per bend enhanced Or (gold or yellow in heraldry) and azure (blue), a bend of mullets (stars) palewise argent (silver)”. 

A Brief about “Stecak” (singular) “Stecci” (plural) – Bosnian Monumental Medieval Tombstones:

These are monumental medieval tombstones found across Bosnia and Herzegovina and are the country’s most legendary symbols. These are tombstones of people who lived between the 11^th and 15^th centuries and did not have allegiance to any kingdom but their own. 

The tombstone’s most remarkable feature is their decorative motifs, many of which are still enigmatic. They depict knights in armour, hunters on a hunt, farmers in fields, warriors competing in tournaments, rearing horses, dancers, ladies in dresses, flowers, wolves, bears, wild boars, dogs etc. The ornaments show the crescent moon, stars, cross and swastika. The images celebrate life, joy, physical strength and merriment. Questions regarding the inevitability of death appear on some of the inscriptions but are absent from the carved images. In all, about 80 primary and 320 secondary motifs have been identified on about 7500 Stecci. There are around 69356 known Stecci in existence at 3162 locations.

The Stecci are grouped in “Nekropola” (“Necropolises”) located on hills overlooking the surrounding countryside.

The Stecci stone slabs are sometimes as heavy as 30000 kilograms and vary in shape. Sometimes they take the shape of a roofed sarcophagus, a high pillar, flat slab, chest shaped as an elongated cube with flat surfaces or an irregularly hewn monolith. They are about two metres long and one metre wide. The slates are between 30 and 50 cm high and the sarcophagi and tombs are 1.5 metres in height. The height of the pillars is between two to three metres.

The most famous and decorated stecak is from Zgosca near Kakanj in Bosnia and Herzegovina dating back to the 15^th century AD. Since it has no engraved writing and was immaculately decorated, it is believed that it is the tomb of King Stjepan II Kotromanic and the Radimilja tombstones.

The above is an obelisk at Kralja, placed near the tomb of Tvrtko who was a prominent King of Bosnia from the Kotromanic Dynasty.

The above are image of the designs on the Radimilja tombstones.

The above are images of the designs on the Zgosca tombstones believed to be the tomb of King Stjepan II Kotromanic.

The above are images of Stecak motifs.

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