British colony
The British Legislative Council authorised the establishment of a Board of Commissioners of Currency through the Paper Currency Ordinance of 1914, which was enacted by C. R. M. O'Brien, the Governor of the Colony of the Seychelles on 10 August 1914. [7] [2] In 1914, the government produced emergency issues of notes for 50c, R1, R5 and R10.
Standard issue notes began to be issued in 1918, with notes for 50c and R1, followed by R5, R10 and R50 in 1928. The 50c and R1 notes were issued until 1951 and phased out in favour of coins. R20 and R100 notes were first introduced in 1968, while the R5 note was replaced by a coin in 1972. [2]
Independent republic
In 1976, the Seychelles Monetary Authority took over the issuance of paper money, issuing notes for R10, R25, R50 and R100. This series featured the first President of the Seychelles, Sir James Mancham and replaced all colonial notes issued prior to independence.
In 1979, there was a redesign, featuring a more socialist and modernised theme reminiscent of the René regime. This series was also issued by the Central Bank of Seychelles when it took over full responsibility in the same year. [8]
In 1989, a new series was introduced with better security features and colours. Seychellois Creole text was added to the banknotes. [2]
In 1998, another more high-tech series was introduced with a more practical, ergonomic design. This series later saw an additional R500 note first introduced in 2005. [2]
2011 update
On 7 June 2011, the Central Bank of Seychelles issued updated R50, R100 and R500 notes with improved security features. Each of the three banknotes has a holographic patch instead of a foil sailfish which currently appears on the notes.
- On the R50 note, the silver holographic sailfish alternates between the number 50 and an image of the Aldabra rail, a flightless bird.
- On the R100 note, the gold holographic sailfish alternates between the number 100 and an image of the Seychelles giant tortoise.
- On the R500 note, the gold holographic sailfish alternates between the number 500 and an image of the Seychelles scops owl.
Additional security upgrades include a 2.5-mm wide fluorescent security thread on the R50 note, a 2.5-mm wide colour-shifting security thread on the R100 note, and a 3-mm wide colour-shifting security thread on the R500 note. The notes are also protected by De La Rue's unique Gemini technology that fluoresces under ultraviolet light but appears normal in daylight. [9]
The colour schemes of the notes have been revised, with the notes being more green, red, and orange, respectively, than the notes currently in circulation. The new notes also carry the year of printing, as well as the signature of Pierre Frank Laporte, the bank's governor. Existing notes remain legal tender and will be removed from circulation as they wear out. [10]
2016 changes
In December 2016, the Central Bank of Seychelles issued a new series of banknotes to commemorate 40 years of Seychelles' independence. The theme of this series is "Seychelles' Unique Biodiversity – the backbone of the economy". [11] [1]
Seychelles 
