This Bosnia and Herzegovina banknote represents the 2nd denomination of the First Bosnian-Herzegovina Dinar (Series 1992). While simple like many post-Cold War banknotes. This particular currency was a product of political chaos, marked by ethnic strife. Due the dissolution of Yugoslavia and a rapidly changing world, in Eastern Europe.
Much like the first Slovenian Tolar and Croatian Dinar notes. The First Bosnian-Herzegovina Dinar was an part of an initial effort to establish political legitimacy. Although underwent a much more troubled history, than its neighbors. (SEE: A Brief History of the Bosnian Dinar)
Observe
The observe features the note's "25" Dinara face value, on a guilloché work backing. Below the text printed twice, in both Latin and Cyrillic script. This text represent the Croatian (Dvadesetpet Dinara) and Serbian (Двадесетпет Динара) languages. Notably Serbo-Croatian are interrelated languages, that use separate scripts. Both of these versions translate to "Twenty Five Dinara".
To the right is the note's watermark area. At the upper right is dual Latin/Cyrillic text, it translates to the "National Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina", representing the note's issuing body. Below is the signature of the bank "Governor" (Guverner - Гувернер).
Toward the lower right corner is an additional number "25", on a guilloché backing. Above is small text, it reads "1. JULI-SRPANJ 1992". This identifies the note's print date as "1 July 1992". To left is fine vertical text, it reads "Krivotvorenje Se Kažnjava Po Zakonu". This text translates to "counterfeiting is punishable by law".
Notably despite using a watermark area, the watermark covers the entire surface. This simple watermark is repeated diamond pattern, resembling scales. This "full watermark" style is common to some post-Cold War banknotes.
Reverse
The reverse depicts the Bosnia-Herzegovina Coat of Arms. This coat of arms was adopted on 4 May 1992. It borrows its design from the coat of arms of Condominium of Bosnia and Herzegovina (1878-1918). The inside of the shield features a sword, representing the might of Tvrtko I of Bosnia (1338-391). Notably this coat of arms was retired after the of the Bosnian War, in 1995.
Returning the to the reverse, we can see repeated Latin and Cyrillic text. Just as the observe the lower text translates to "Twenty Five Dinara". While the upper left text translates to the "Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina". Additionally there is number "25" at the lower left, representing the note's "25" Dinara face value.
Toward the far left is a vertical serial number, it reads "BK 62212916". The letters "BK" represents the note's production batch. Notably early Slovenian Tolar notes feature a similar serial number. This is due to First Bosnian Dinar notes share the same printer, CDDC (Celje).
A Brief History of the Bosnian Dinar
Bosnian-Herzegovina succeeded from Yugoslavia on 3 March 1992. Although unlike Slovenia and Macedonia, which achieved independence through relatively peaceful means. The situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina quickly devolved into armed conflict. This conflict was called the Bosnian War (1992-1995). Fought amongst ethnic enclaves of Bosniaks (Bosnian Muslims), Croats, and Serbs.
The First Bosnian Dinar notes were issued on July 1992. They served as a form of transitional currency, pegged at par 1:1 with the Yugoslav Dinar. Although due to hyperinflation, the Second Bosnian-Herzegovina Dinar was issued in 1994. Replacing the First Bosnian Dinar at an impressive rate of 10,000 (Old): 1 (New) Dinar.
The Second Bosnian Dinar remined in circulation, until 22 June 1998. When the Bosnia and Herzegovina Convertible Mark was introduced. It was originally pegged at par (1:1) to the pre-Euro Deutsche Mark. In accordance to the 14 December 1995 ratification of the Dayton Peace Accords. Creating a unified currency for Bosnia, which remains in circulation to this da y (2021).
Notably before the adoption of the Convertible Mark. The major ethnic groups of Bosnia used separate currencies. The Serbian and Croatian-controlled enclaves, received monetary support from neighboring Serbia and Croatia, respectively. As the previous issued First/Second Bosnian Dinars were only recognized by the Bosniaks.
The Serbian enclaves initially issued the Republika Srpska Dinar (1992-1993). In an effort to establish a Bosnian Serb proto-state. Although as these efforts diminished, the Yugoslavian Dinar (1994-1998) was issued. The latter was due to Serbia and Montenegro considering itself a successor state of Yugoslavia. And thus these post-1992 Dinar notes are printed as being Yugoslavian.
Similarly the Croatian enclaves known as the Republic of Herzeg-Bosnia. Was an attempt to create a Bosnian Croat proto-state. Although it differ from the Republic of Srpska. In that it made no attempt to establish its own transitional currency. Instead using the same currency as Croatia. The first being the transitional Croatian Dinar (1992-1994), then the Croatian Kuna (1994-1998).
Additional Notes
The note's dimensions are 145 x 73 mm or 5.70 x 2.87 in. larger than a US Dollar.
The First Bosnian-Herzegovina Dinar ISO Code is BAD, its symbol was BAD.
The First/Second Bosnian Dinar lacked coins, it was theoretically divided into 100 Para.
Larger denominations of the First Bosnian Dinar were created by stamping additional "0"s.
Ethnic Bosniaks speak Bosnian, a Serbo-Croatia dialect written in Latin and Cyrillic script.
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