Situated in the northernmost point of Africa is the Republic of Tunisia, squeezed between Algeria, Libya, and the Mediterranean Sea. The country stretches from the eastern side of the Atlas Mountains to the northern part of the Sahara desert. A product of significant multi-racial influx and with a strategic location in the Mediterranean, Tunisia has a diverse culture composed of Roman, Jewish, Christian, Vandal, Islamic, Arab, Europeans, Turkish, and native Amazigh.  

Map of Tunisia | Source: Britannica

Banknotes Of Independent Tunisia

After gaining independence from France on March 20, 1956, the Central Bank of Tunisia was established on September 19, 1958 and began its operation on November 3, 1958 with the introduction of the Tunisian dinar as a unit of account. The Tunisian Dinar is fractioned into 1000 millim or millimes and replaced the Tunisian franc. 

Traditional Fishing Boats At An Old Port | Source: AS

The 1958 issues of Tunisian banknotes feature a portrait of Habib Bourguiba who served as the first president of the independent Tunisian Republic. The notes were in denominations of half a dinar, 1, and 5 dinars. Between 1965 and 1969, another set of banknotes begins to circulate. Although they came in entirely new designs and color schemes, these notes still reflect the president’s portrait on the obverse along with other national motifs. This family of notes also includes a 10-dinar banknote.  

Tunisia 5 Dinars | 1960 | P-60 | Source: Banknote World Educational

Between 1992 and 1997, a set of banknotes that commemorates the anniversary of the ousting of Bourguiba circulate. These notes bear the date 7 November 1987 on their reverse, in addition to the date of the president’s overthrow and Prime Minister Zine El Abidine Ben Ali’s assumption of power.  

Tunisia 10 Dinars | 1994 | P-87a | Source: Banknote World Educational

Later versions of Tunisian dinar banknotes have vibrant colors and no longer feature Habib Bourguiba. Rather, they portray important personalities such as Carthaginian general Hannibal, labor unionist Farhat Hached, and poet Aboul El Kacem Chebbi. Furthermore, The 2020 issue of the 20-dinar banknote features doctor Tawhida Ben Cheikh.  

Tunisia 10 Dinars | 2020 | P-98 | Source: Banknote World Educational

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *