In early 2025, the numismatic world gained another world record. Namely, the Central Bank of Burundi (Banque de la République du Burundi) issued officially the largest banknote in the world. This is a 10,000 Burundian franc banknote with impressive dimensions of 400 × 288 mm. With its size, this banknote surpasses all previous records and easily covers an average laptop.
This banknote was issued on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) – an international convention signed in 1975, aimed at protecting endangered plant and animal species from excessive international trade. This commemorative edition was produced in cooperation with the German numismatic company Mietens & Partner GmbH, which is also responsible for its distribution.
Otherwise, it is a commemorative banknote that has the status of legal tender, but is not intended for circulation, having been produced exclusively for the collector's market. Its nominal value is very small, around 3 euros, but its market value on the numismatic market far exceeds that figure.
The front of the banknote depicts endangered African animals: a lion (Panthera leo); a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis); an African buffalo (Syncerus caffer); a leopard (Panthera pardus); an African elephant (Loxodonta africana), and a black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) with a red-billed oxpecker (Buphagus erythrorhynchus) on its back.
In addition to the denomination markings, the banknote also contains texts in French:
- TEN THOUSAND FRANCS
- BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI
- The counterfeiter is punished with penal servitude
- 50th Anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – 50th Anniversary of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
The logo of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi is also shown in the lower right part, and the serial number is in two places in the upper part of the banknote.
On the reverse side of the banknote, in its central part, there are depictions of the presidential palace (Ntare House) in Gitega and the flag of Burundi. Also shown are the national coat of arms, the central bank logo, and a map of Burundi with the source of the Ruvyironza River (the southernmost source of the Nile) marked.
In addition to the denomination markings, the banknote also contains the texts:
- This is an official commemorative banknote of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi, in tribute to the unique biodiversity of Africa, which deserves to be protected
- Unity, Work, Progress – Unity, Work, Progress (national motto in Kirundi)
- BANK OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI – Banka Republike Burundija
- TEN THOUSAND FRANCS
Although exceptionally large in dimensions, the banknote is protected at the highest level, namely with: a watermark, security threads, holographic foil, color-shifting ink depending on the viewing angle, and UV protection with RGB elements.
The total number of issued copies is only 1,000, which aims to make this banknote rare one day, but for now it is still relatively accessible to collectors and not a problem to acquire. At numismatic fairs and on the internet, its price ranges from 2,000 EUR upwards.
This edition has provoked mixed reactions. While some praise it as visually attractive, innovative, and interesting due to its dimensions, others see it merely as a marketing gimmick aimed solely at commercial profit. The latter is not unusual in the numismatic world. Namely, commemorative coin issues have always been a source of income for issuers and dealers to a greater or lesser extent.
At the end of the day, everyone loves something and everyone is happy about something. Those who are fascinated by unusual formats and modern editions will certainly find value in this „numismatic monster,“ and those who don't like it can simply pretend it doesn't exist.
Until now, these banknotes held the records for size:
Author: Zlatko Viščević
Photos: Bank Note Museum [banknote.ws]
