Collection: Sierra Leone Banknotes

In 2022, Sierra Leone removed three zeros from its currency: one thousand old leones became one new one. The official reason was not purely economic: counting huge stacks of banknotes made even operating ATMs expensive and complicated, and maintaining the same design made it easier to recognize denominations in a country with a high illiteracy rate.

The tree and the mine

The first series, from 1964, featured Freetown's Cotton Tree, a cotton tree over 300 years old that still stands in the center of the capital, alongside scenes of diamond mining and local markets. Later series added portraits of Milton Margai and Siaka Stevens.

The coins that disappeared

Along with the new leone, coins featuring musicians and traditional instruments were launched, but they barely circulated: since 2023, practically no one uses them for payment.

What you will find here

Sierra Leonean leones with Pick reference and actual condition.

Shipping

Protected and tracked from Spain.

Discover more banknotes from the region in African Banknotes.

If you are interested in this area, combine with Liberia and Gambia.