Eswatini Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, reflects the economic and political evolution of this small African kingdom. Since its independence in 1968, Eswatini has undergone significant changes in its monetary system, moving from using the South African pound to issuing its own national currency.

Current banknotes in circulation

Currently, the official currency of Eswatini is the lilangeni (plural: emalangeni), introduced in 1974. Banknotes in circulation include denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 emalangeni. These banknotes feature portraits of King Mswati III, the current monarch, along with images depicting the country's culture and nature. The Central Bank of Eswatini is responsible for the issuance and regulation of these banknotes, which incorporate advanced security features to prevent counterfeiting.

Ancient banknotes and landmarks in notafilia

Prior to the introduction of the lilangeni, Eswatini used the Swazi pound, which was in circulation from 1974 to 1986. These old banknotes are now collector's items highly prized by numismatists. An important milestone in the history of Eswatini banknotes was the commemorative issue of the 50th anniversary of independence in 2018, which included a special 100 emalangeni bill. In addition, in 2010, the country introduced a new series of banknotes with updated designs and enhanced security measures, marking another significant moment in its notafilia.