São Tomé and Príncipe has unveiled a new commemorative 50 Dobras banknote celebrating the 50th anniversary of the island nation’s independence.
The Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe (BCSTP) officially presented the note on August 26, 2026, during celebrations marking the central bank’s own 34th anniversary. The commemorative issue honors the country’s independence from Portugal in 1975 and carries the anniversary dates 1975–2025.
Unlike the country’s regular banknotes, however, the new 50 Dobras is not intended for everyday circulation. The BCSTP described it as a commemorative issue created as a piece of national memory, celebration and historical preservation.1
A Design Focused on Nature, History and Geography
The new polymer banknote uses a predominantly green and gold color scheme and incorporates imagery representing São Tomé and Príncipe’s biodiversity, history and unique geographic location.
The front features a Peregrine Falcon and African Grey Parrot surrounded by tropical vegetation. A portrait of Rei Amador, a national hero associated with resistance to Portuguese colonial rule, also appears prominently in the design.
The reverse shifts attention to the country’s geography.
It depicts Ilhéu das Rolas, a small island located just south of São Tomé through which the Equator passes. Also featured is the Marco do Equador, or Equator Monument, along with a reference to the geodetic and astronomical work of Portuguese navigator and geographer Gago Coutinho between 1916 and 1918.
Together, the two sides combine some of the country’s most recognizable natural and historical elements into a distinctly São Toméan design.
New Polymer and Security Features
The 50 Dobras is printed on PolySecure®, a newly developed polymer substrate produced by Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer of Vietnam.
One of its most distinctive features is a transparent polymer window containing an iridescent cocoa pod. Cocoa has historically been one of São Tomé and Príncipe’s most important agricultural products and exports, making the feature both a security device and a reference to the country’s economic history.
The banknote also incorporates Optically Variable Ink (OVI), which changes color when the note is tilted.
Production combines several traditional and modern banknote-printing techniques. The design uses nine-color offset printing with multiple iris transitions, two-color intaglio printing to provide the raised tactile characteristics associated with banknotes, and screen printing for the optically variable feature.
A Return to Banknote Production for Royal Joh. Enschedé
The note was produced by Royal Joh. Enschedé in the Netherlands and represents an important project for the historic security printer.
According to the company, the São Tomé and Príncipe issue marks its return to international banknote production following several years of limited banknote activity.
Royal Joh. Enschedé was founded in Haarlem in 1703 and has a long history of producing banknotes, postage stamps and other security documents.
The 50 Dobras also introduces a new production technology for the printer: fully digital banknote numbering.
Instead of applying serial numbers using traditional fixed numbering plates, each number is digitally printed. Royal Joh. Enschedé says the process allows individual identification of each note while providing additional possibilities for anti-counterfeiting protection.
Commemorative Rather Than Regular Circulation
Despite its denomination and banknote-style security features, the new 50 Dobras should not be confused with a replacement for São Tomé and Príncipe’s existing circulating 50 Dobras banknote.
During the official presentation, BCSTP Governor Agostinho Fernandes emphasized that the commemorative note is not intended for regular monetary circulation and does not replace or supplement the banknotes currently used for everyday transactions.
Instead, the issue was created specifically as a commemorative and numismatic piece marking the country’s independence anniversary.
That distinction is worth noting because Royal Joh. Enschedé2 initially described the note as having been released “into circulation.” Statements from the issuing central bank make clear that this is a special commemorative issue rather than a new regular-circulation banknote.
A Modern Tribute to 50 Years of Independence
São Tomé and Príncipe became independent from Portugal on July 12, 1975, following centuries of Portuguese colonial rule.
Although the 50th anniversary occurred in 2025, the commemorative banknote was formally presented the following year as part of the BCSTP’s anniversary celebrations.
The result is an unusual modern commemorative that combines traditional intaglio banknote production with polymer technology, optically variable ink, a transparent security window and digital numbering.
For collectors, the note is particularly notable not only for its independence theme, but also for Royal Joh. Enschedé’s return to international banknote production and its use of a newly developed polymer substrate.
Denomination: 50 Dobras
Commemorates: 50th Anniversary of Independence, 1975–2025
Presented: August 26, 2026
Issuer: Banco Central de São Tomé e Príncipe
Printer: Royal Joh. Enschedé, Netherlands
Substrate: PolySecure® polymer by Q&T Hi-Tech Polymer, Vietnam
Size: 145 × 67 mm
Primary colors: Green and gold
Security features: Transparent window with iridescent cocoa pod, OVI, digital numbering
Status: Special commemorative issue; not intended for regular monetary circulation
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