Liberia is a small country located in West Africa. Its neighbors with countries such as Sierra Leone, Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Some background information on the country is that it actually started as a settlement created by the American Colonization Society ACS. It was supposed to repatriate former slaves and give them a better chance at freedom and success. Liberia did not have any official diplomatic ties with the US either. It declared independence in 1847, however Liberian independence was not recognized until 1862.
Source: Banknote World Educational
First Liberian Dollars
The first Liberian Dollar banknotes were released in 1847 and they were initially pegged to the USD at 1:1. The banknotes in circulation before the initial Liberian dollar had influence from the USD and they also read American Colonization Society on them. In 1907 Liberia adopts the British West African Pound which is also in use by Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Sierra Leone and Gambia. In 1935 the US dollar replaced the then West African Pound but a couple of years later in 1937 Liberia introduced their own coins which circulated among the USD.
Source: Banknote World Educational
In the 80’s there was a coupe and a subsequent cash flight from the country. Due to this cash shortage the Liberian Dollar banknotes began to circulate again. If anything I would compare them to the design of Gambian banknotes. They also resemble the USD. they features images of the Central Bank and also the coat of arms. In 2016 the current series of Liberian banknotes began to circulate. They are bright and colorful and they still have the slight USD feeling. What do you think about the new designs?
Source: Banknote World
