2003 Madagascar 5 000 Ariary banknote featuring rice terraces on the front and a zebu herd on the back, issued by Banky Foiben’i Madagasikara

5000 MGA – 2003

$ 15

A sophisticated and symbolically layered banknote from Madagascar, the 25 000 Francs / 5 000 Ariary note issued circa 2003 features graceful sailing boats gliding upon the water on the obverse, offset against a motif of sun rays, a stylized map of the country, and signed by Gaston Édouard Ravelojaona; the reverse depicts the serene Bay of Fort-Dauphin (Tôlanaro) framed by coastal vegetation, including cactus. This banknote is expertly printed on paper by Giesecke & Devrient and secured with a zebu-head watermark (with electrotype “5000”), a windowed security thread, a holographic stripe adorned with the denomination, ravinala, rainbow, and “B M F”, and a tactile 3-D element at center right.

Category:

1. Overview

2. Design & Imagery

Obverse (Recto):

  • Visuals: Depicts fishing boats (sailboats) on the water. A holographic security stripe on the right shows the denomination, a ravinala (traveler’s palm), a rainbow, and the letters “B M F” (en.numista.com, banknotes.com, numizon.com).
  • Inscriptions: “BANKY FOIBEN’I MADAGASIKARA” and “DIMY ARIVO ARIARY” (“Five Thousand Ariary”), plus “50000 FRANCS” (Franc denomination) (en.numista.com, banknotes.com, numizon.com).

Reverse (Verso):

  • Imagery: Showcases the Bay of Fort-Dauphin (Baie de Fort-Dauphin / Tôlanaro) and a cactus or coastal vegetation feature (en.numista.com, banknotes.com).
  • Text: Includes a legal warning in Malagasy and French:

    “Helohin’ny lalana hiasa anterivozona mandrapahafatiny ny mpanao vola sandoka – La loi punit de travaux forcés à perpétuité tout contrefacteur de monnaie.”
    (The law punishes counterfeiters with forced labor for life) (banknotes.com, en.numista.com).

3. Security Features

  • Watermark: A zebu cattle head along with the electrotype of the denomination “5000” (en.numista.com).
  • Holographic stripe: As mentioned, showing dynamic elements—the denomination, ravinala, rainbow, “B M F” (en.numista.com, banknotes.com, numizon.com).
  • Three-dimensional (3D) element: Present at the center right, enhancing visual and tactile verification (en.numista.com, banknotes.com).

4. Production Details & Variants

5. Cultural & Contextual Notes

  • This banknote belongs to the “Madagascar and its Riches – Series 1”, highlighting maritime and coastal heritage, particularly Fort-Dauphin Bay—a site of historic and geographic significance (en.numista.com).
  • The dual-denomination reflects the transition from the Malagasy franc to the ariary, demonstrating economic modernization and cultural heritage retention (Wikipédia).
  • The warning text in both Malagasy and French underscores the bilingual legal heritage in Malagasy currency design.
  • Featuring the zebu watermark ties into Madagascar’s cultural and economic identity, as zebu cattle are central to agriculture and tradition.

Summary Table

Category Details
Issuer / Bank Central Bank of Madagascar
Period 2003–2006 (Third Republic)
Denomination 5 000 Ariary = 25 000 Francs
Composition / Size Paper; 150 × 75 mm, rectangular
Demonetized 31 December 2020
Obverse Design Fishing boats, hologram stripe, ravinala, denomination inscriptions
Reverse Design Bay of Fort-Dauphin, cactus, anti-counterfeiting legal text
Security Features Watermark (zebu head + 5000), holographic stripe, 3D element
Printer Giesecke & Devrient, Germany
Reference / Signature Pick P#84, N#206393; signed by Gaston Édouard Ravelojaona
Print Runs ~130 million + 500,000 variant
Cultural Notes Maritime imagery, bilingual legal text, dual currency transition, zebu symbolism

 

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