São Tomé and Príncipe marks 50 years of independence with a new commemorative note
On 26 August 2026, the Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe released a new 50 Dobras commemorative banknote into circulation, marking 50 years since the nation’s independence in 1975.
The design, in green and gold, brings together several national symbols. The front shows the Peregrine Falcon, the African Grey Parrot, tropical vegetation, and a portrait of national hero Rei Amador. The reverse depicts Ilhéu das Rolas and the Marco do Equador monument, marking the country’s position on the Equator. Together, the two sides tell a story of the country’s biodiversity, history, and culture.
For Royal Joh. Enschedé: a part of Authentix, the note also marks a return to international banknote production, after several years in which the company’s banknote activity had been limited.
At the centre of the note is a newly developed polymer substrate, created by Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer of Vietnam. It includes a transparent window containing an iridescent cocoa pod, a reference to one of São Tomé and Príncipe’s key export products and, at the same time, a security feature.
The note is printed using a nine-colour offset process with multiple iris transitions, combined with two-colour intaglio for the tactile relief associated with banknote printing. Optically Variable Ink, applied by screen printing, shifts colour as the note is tilted.
The note also introduces a fully digital numbering process for the first time at Royal Joh. Enschedé: a part of Authentix. Rather than using fixed printing plates, each number is applied digitally, which allows for unique note identification and additional anti-counterfeiting measures.
Issuer: Central Bank of São Tomé and Príncipe
Occasion: 50th anniversary of independence (1975–2025)
Issue date: 26 August 2026
Denomination: 50 Dobras
Substrate: PolySecure®, produced by Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer (Vietnam)
Security features: Transparent window with iridescent cocoa pod, Optically Variable Ink (OVI), digital numbering
Printing processes: Nine-colour offset with iris transitions, two-colour intaglio, screen printing
