Catalog
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| Issuer | Reserve Bank of Malawi |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
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| Reference(s) | P#49 |
| Obverse description | The Independence Arch in Blantyre occupies the right-center vignette, rendered in intaglio against a teal guilloche underprint with radiating sunburst motifs. The denomination "FIFTY KWACHA" appears in large serif lettering at center, flanked by the serial number and an eagle watermark space at left, with the commemorative inscription "FORTY YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE 1964–2004" at lower right. The date "6th JULY 2004" and the Governor's signature appear at the lower left, beneath the bank title "Reserve Bank of Malawi" along the top. |
|---|---|
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| Protection type | Security thread, Watermark |
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| Comments |
Malawi gained independence from Britain on 6 July 1964, making this note a commemorative issue for the fortieth anniversary. The Reserve Bank of Malawi has used commemorative dates as printing pretexts since the 1980s, but the 2004 issue is notable for entering general circulation rather than being distributed as a collector item — an unusual choice that resulted in relatively heavy wear on surviving examples.
P#49 is sometimes confused with the near-contemporary P#45 series due to overlapping date ranges in dealer catalogues. Worth confirming the commemorative text before attributing.