Maldives Banknote Discussion

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I started passionately collecting Maldives since 2012 but first discovered the colourful Rufiyaa banknotes / bills when I first travelled to Maldives in 2009 - I instantly felt captivated and still have these original ones I received from 2009 in my wallet.

I have desired to collect them but started being serious 2012 onwards - it started by me wanting to collect the current set at the time and then one day while conducting research I discovered there were older currency from 1947 to 1980 that were much larger in size and completely different in appearance compared to the ones I saw 2009. I started with collecting all the known denominations and then all the issued years and then with earning more money I started buying Specimens and Proofs and rare items.

The 2010’s was an interesting decade for me collecting wise - in 2010 I was in my early days of collecting and nobody special and 10 years later I climbed the mountain and become one of the best Maldives collectors in the World and internationally known online. With a mixture of luck and dedication and quite a lot of money I have achieved a lot and have many items people collecting 30 years don’t have - I am proud of all I have achieved.

Why do I just collect Maldives? Well because I love the country and I am very passionate about collecting - plus I have got 100% of everything that was issued and I am a person that once I start something I want to get 100% - other countries people can never get 100% because there are 1000’s of things to collect and you need unlimited money and ridiculous luck to achieve - plus I don’t have a passion to collect any other countries so that’s why I just collect Maldives - I now I have all of them from 1947 to 2024

Historical Locations of Rufiyaa

1 Rufiyaa

A two‐storeyed building, which was used for different purposes over the years. At the time the bank notes were prepared the building was the Customs House. It later became a Post Office and was last used as the Office of the Prime Minister. To the left of the building is the main bastion of the town wall. The bastion was called the 'Bodu Koattey Buruzu'. There was a flagstaff on the Bodu Koattey which flew the State ensign if there was a foreign vessel in port. The bastion has since been torn down as part of the harbour redevelopment and the old Customs house has been demolished, now being the site of Republic Park.

2 Rufiyaa

The Royal Jetty. This elaborately carved wooden construction was torn down as part of the harbour redevelopment.

10 Rufiyaa

The Veyodorhu Ganduvaru Mathige was a three‐storeyed house that was adjacent to the Sultan's Palace. Now demolished, the building was at one stage the Sifainge, or Defence Headquarters of the militia. The aspect of the illustration on the note is from the Aa-Koattey Buruzu (New Fort Bastion). To the left of the building is Medhumaa Gate, flanked by lamp- posts. To the left of the gate is the very low Kilege Buruzu (bastion) from which gun salutes were fired.

Rare Matching Set - I am the only person in the World that owns these


Maldives 1947 1 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 2A Specimen with Serial Range (Obverse)
Maldives 1960 1 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 2B Specimen with Serial Range (Obverse)


Maldives 1947 2 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 3A Specimen with Serial Range (Obverse)
Maldives 1960 2 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 3B Specimen with Serial Range (Obverse)

1947 1/2 Rufiyaa Consecutive Serial Numbers A761040 & A761041

The 1947 1/2 Rufiyaa is quite hard to obtain in high grade because rarely offered and expensive to purchase - but this is extra special because in 2013 when I purchased these it was possibly for the first time in maybe 65 Years since being printed by Bradbury Wilkinson these 2 notes were near each other

Owning 1 UNC 1/2 Rufiyaa is excellent / owning 2 UNC 1/2 Rufiyaa is amazing / owning 2 UNC 1/2 Rufiyaa that have consecutive serial numbers is unheard of (I must always highlight the fact they came from 2 different countries on 2 different continents)



Maldives 1947 1/2 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 1

Maldives Rufiyaa Banknotes HD (ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާ)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC85mPykKW7a8mzELn8vt_0w

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1947 1/2 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 1

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1947 1 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 2A

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1947 2 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 3A

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1947 1 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1947 10 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 5A

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1951 50 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 6A

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1951 100 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 7A

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1960 1 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 2B

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1960 2 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 3B

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1960 5 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 4B

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1960 10 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 5B

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1960 50 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 6B

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1960 100 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 7B

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1980 50 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 6C

** There is no Pick 8 - I don’t know why **

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1983 2 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 9

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1983 5 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 10

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1983 10 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 11

Maldives Currency Banknote, 1983 20 Rufiyaa, Pick catalogue 12A