Saint Helena Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes on St. Helena reflects the economic and political evolution of this remote British island in the South Atlantic. From its earliest issues to today's banknotes, St. Helena's notafilia offers a fascinating insight into its past and present.

Current banknotes in circulation

St. Helena currently uses the St. Helena pound as its official currency. Banknotes in circulation include denominations of 5, 10 and 20 pounds, issued by the Bank of St. Helena. These modern banknotes feature designs that reflect the island's rich history and biodiversity, including images of endemic wildlife and landmarks such as Longwood House, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his last years.

Old banknotes and notaphilic landmarks

Prior to the introduction of the St. Helena pound in 1976, the island used St. Helena government bills and, before that, British currency. A significant milestone in St. Helena's notational history was the issue of commemorative bills in 1984 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Helena's status as a British colony. These special bills, along with previous issues, are now coveted by collectors because of their rarity and historical value.