Lebanon's hybrid 1,000 pound banknotes: technology, durability and actual circulation

Introduction

Introduction

The 1,000 Lebanese pound (LBP) banknote occupies a key place in contemporary notaphily and the technical study of banknotes. Not only is it the most widely used denomination in daily circulation in Lebanon, but it was also selected by the Banque du Liban (BDL) as the basis for one of the most comprehensive studies ever conducted on the actual durability of banknotes in circulation.

Within this project, banknotes made with a hybrid substrate represent a fundamental piece to understand the technological evolution of modern fiat money.

Why the 1,000 pound note?

From a technical and operational point of view, low denomination banknotes are the most suitable for durability studies, since:

• They circulate more frequently
• They suffer greater physical wear and tear.
• They are more exposed to moisture, dirt, and creases.
• They better reflect the real habits of the public

For this reason, the BDL introduced 11 million 1,000 LBP banknotes with identical design, but manufactured with different substrates, treatments and printing techniques, including hybrid banknotes.

Below, we exclusively present a photograph of one of the first sets of hybrid banknotes graded by PMG, courtesy of Sam Assad, where the American certifier records all the variants of the banknote under study:

The hybrid substrate: what it is and why it matters

The hybrid substrate , developed by Papierfabrik Louisenthal , combines traditional cotton fibers with integrated polymer components. It is not a pure polymer, but rather an intermediate solution that aims to:

• Greater mechanical resistance
• Less dirt absorption
• Improved performance in humid conditions
• Tactile feel similar to traditional paper

This balance is key to public acceptance, one of the most important factors for any central bank.

A real-world, not laboratory, study.

The Banque du Liban project is distinguished by its completely realistic approach:

• Banknotes put into normal circulation
• Individual tracking by serial number
• Automatic sorting using BPS M7 machines
• Centralization of data at the central bank
• Analysis by climate region and usage habits

Lebanon offers an ideal environment for this type of study due to its climatic diversity: humid coast, cold mountain areas, and dry inland regions. To easily differentiate them, each type has a different serial number. According to the professional catalog of Lebanese banknotes, they are as follows:

Technical results and relevance of the hybrid banknote

The aim of the study is to determine which substrates offer a longer effective lifespan , reducing:

• Replacement costs.
• Premature withdrawals.
• Aptitude problems in automatic classification.

The hybrid substrate is positioned as a solid technical alternative , capable of improving durability without losing the advantages of traditional paper, something especially relevant for high-turnover denominations.

Of interest to collectors and dealers

For the collector, the 1,000 LBP hybrid banknotes represent:

• An issue linked to a documented official trial
• A technological transition phase
• A real-world example of engineering applied to paper money

For the specialized trader, understanding their technical context is essential for:

• Catalog correctly
• Avoid confusion with standard emissions
• To provide added value and rigor to the customer

Conclusion

Lebanon's hybrid 1,000-pound banknotes are much more than a technical variant. They are the result of large-scale institutional research demonstrating how banknote durability depends on the substrate, climate, and public habits.

The Banque du Liban study confirms that the future of banknotes is not binary (paper or polymer), but hybrid, measured and tested under real-world circulation conditions. At Iberoamericana Banknotes, we will be closely following the final conclusions of the Bank of Lebanon, as they will mark a turning point in the application of this type of substrate.