Bosnia and Herzegovina has been an area of conflict and change, but it is also a story of resilience and hope. It’s a mountainous region with fertile plains and a coastline on the Adriatic Sea. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times and was part of the Roman Empire. After that, Bosnia came under Ottoman rule for centuries before becoming part of Yugoslavia after World War I. In 1992 Bosnia declared independence from Yugoslavia as well as from Serbia; however, this declaration led to civil war between Bosnian Muslims (also known as Bosniaks) and Orthodox Serbs who wanted more autonomy for their territories within Bosnia-Herzegovina. The war lasted from 1992 until 1995 when NATO intervened.

Map of the country | Source: AS

First Independent Banknotes

After Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia in 1992 they established their own independent and national currency, the Bosnia & Herzegovina Dinar. The denominations ranged from 10, 25, 50, 100, 500, 1000 Dinar. The banknotes were bright and colorful and the designs were rather simple. For example the 1,000 Dinara Banknote is colored in a combination of black and red. Its obverse features guilloches. The reverse of the paper bill displays the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva River in Mostar. The note does not contain a security thread but bears a watermark that reveals a diamond pattern.

Bosnia & Herzegovina 1,000 Dinara | 1992 | Source: Banknote World

In 1994 due to hyperinflation in the country, banknotes with multiple zeros began to circulate. These were pretty much the same notes as the original ones mentioned but, with additional zeros stamped on, usually in red or green in. For example the 10 Dinar now became 10,000 Dinar. It’s part of the emergency issues. It’s contains shades of purple, red, and yellow. Its obverse side shows a bank guilloche and the denomination with the addition of green stamped zeros. Its reverse side shows the crowned coat of arms and the Stari Most (Old Bridge) over the Neretva River in Mostar.

Bosnia & Herzegovina 10,000 Dinara (10 Dinara) | 1993 | Source: Banknote World

Modern Banknotes of Bosnia & Herzegovina

A few years later in 1998, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark is introduced. This is now the official currency. It ranges in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Convertible Marks. The banknotes are colorful and feature notable figures on their obverse side and monuments on their reverse side.

Bosnia & Herzegovina 200 Convertible Maraka | 2022 | Source: Banknote World

The 200 Convertible Marks from 2022 contains shades of blue, yellow and white. The obverse side features a portrait of Ivo Andrić who was a novelist, writer and winner of the Noble Prize in Literature. In the upper left hand corner you can also see a shield with the flag pattern. On the reverse is an image of the Mehmed Paša Sokolović Bridge.

Sources & Credits:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_dinar

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina_convertible_mark

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bosnia_and_Herzegovina

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