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The Guinea 25 Sylis 1980 Specimen banknote, cataloged as Pick #24s, is a compelling artifact from Guinea’s socialist monetary era, representing the political and economic ideologies of the Ahmed Sékou Touré administration. Issued during the waning years of the syli currency system, which was introduced in 1972, this note reflects the state's commitment to showcasing national pride, agrarian labor, and revolutionary identity through its monetary design. As a specimen, this note includes overprinted “SPECIMEN” markings in red and carries the telltale serial number format “X0000000,” indicating that it was never circulated but created for archival, training, and collector purposes. This particular example is graded About Uncirculated (AU), signifying that it has nearly full original detail with only minor signs of handling, likely limited to light corner rubs or faint paper bends.
The syli currency was Guinea's assertion of economic independence, replacing the Guinean franc and affirming a break from colonial influence. “Syli,” meaning “elephant” in the Susu language, was symbolic of Guinea’s strength and cultural heritage. The 25 Sylis denomination was a mid-range value, designed for practical use in daily commerce, but like other denominations of the syli, its utility was gradually undermined by inflation and declining economic performance. The syli was ultimately abandoned in 1985 following Sékou Touré’s death, replaced by a reformed Guinean franc. Thus, the 1980 25 Sylis note represents a significant transitional moment in Guinea’s economic history, bearing both ideological and practical importance.
On the obverse, the note features an impressive engraved portrait of Alpha Yaya Diallo, a prominent figure in Guinean resistance history. Often referred to as the “King of Labé,” Alpha Yaya led armed opposition against French colonization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His complex legacy as both a resistor and later a collaborator with the French is captured here through a dignified and heroic rendering. Shown in ceremonial dress with a confident, commanding gaze, Diallo’s image was chosen to reinforce Guinea’s embrace of historical icons who shaped national identity. The surrounding design includes intricate guilloché patterns and fine linework that offer both aesthetic appeal and anti-counterfeit protection.
The color scheme on the obverse combines deep olive green, ochre, and soft burgundy, producing a palette that is earthy and stately. “BANQUE CENTRALE DE LA RÉPUBLIQUE DE GUINÉE” is inscribed across the top in bold lettering. The denomination “25 SYLIS” appears prominently in all four corners, along with the issue year “1980” and the signatures of bank officials at the bottom. The red “SPECIMEN” overprint diagonally bisects the note, ensuring its non-negotiable status is clearly conveyed without obscuring key design elements. As a specimen in AU condition, this side of the note remains well-detailed, though very light wear or minor handling may be visible under close inspection.
The reverse of the 25 Sylis note celebrates Guinea’s rural workforce and agricultural output, aligning with the government’s emphasis on collectivism and self-sustenance. The central image depicts female workers engaged in the processing and drying of peanuts, a crop vital to Guinea’s economy and food supply. Three women are seen performing different tasks: one carrying a large bowl, another sorting through peanuts, and a third kneeling and sifting them. The composition conveys motion, cooperation, and industry, reflecting the socialist ideal of dignity through labor, particularly highlighting women’s contributions to economic life.
Colors on the reverse echo the front’s tones, with subtle shades of brown, green, and yellow that evoke the natural environment and agricultural subject matter. “RÉPUBLIQUE DE GUINÉE” appears boldly at the top, while “25 SYLIS” is clearly stated in both upper and lower corners. An additional red “SPECIMEN” overprint traverses the scene, mirroring its placement on the obverse. The artwork is framed by detailed borders featuring floral and geometric patterns, adding both aesthetic richness and a layer of counterfeit deterrence. Despite the AU grade, the reverse retains strong visual clarity, with well-preserved printing and only minimal signs of handling wear.
The note’s security features include an embedded watermark, most likely of Alpha Yaya Diallo, which becomes visible when held to light. This watermark provides a critical validation mechanism, complementing the note’s intaglio-printed elements that offer a distinct tactile experience. Raised printing is particularly evident in the portrait, denomination, and official inscriptions. Additional security measures include fine guilloché designs, symmetrical borders, and consistent ink saturation. While not modern by today’s standards, these elements offered reliable protection against forgery at the time of issue. The AU condition ensures these features remain visible and effective, with minor wear doing little to compromise their function or appearance.
As a specimen, this note was not part of Guinea’s regular money supply and was instead used for reference, display, and training by financial institutions, government agencies, and international banknote collectors. Specimens were printed in far smaller numbers than circulating issues and often destroyed after their institutional use expired, making surviving examples rare. This 1980 25 Sylis specimen, in AU grade, is particularly desirable due to its combination of cultural significance, historical context, and limited availability. The slight downgrade from UNC is offset by the note’s continued structural integrity, bright ink, and clean fields, making it suitable for display or investment.
Historically, the issuance of this note coincided with increasing economic pressure in Guinea. The state-controlled economy, heavily reliant on agriculture and limited exports, struggled under rigid planning systems and isolation from international capital markets. Inflation eroded the syli’s value, and by the early 1980s, the populace began to lose confidence in the currency. The issuance of larger denominations and increasing reliance on barter in rural areas signaled systemic breakdown. After Sékou Touré’s death in 1984, Guinea’s new leadership moved to abandon the syli and reintroduce a convertible Guinean franc in 1985. As such, the 25 Sylis 1980 note marks the final chapter of a currency system driven by revolutionary fervor but undermined by economic stagnation.
From a numismatic standpoint, the 25 Sylis Specimen offers multiple avenues of interest. It appeals to collectors of African banknotes, Cold War-era socialist currency, and specimen-specific issues. The note’s subject matter—featuring both a national hero and the rural working class—adds narrative depth, while its AU preservation ensures longevity in a collection. Moreover, the red specimen overprints and official bank signatures authenticate the note’s origin and intended use. While full UNC specimens are rarer and often command higher prices, AU examples like this provide an excellent balance of affordability, historical relevance, and visual impact.
In conclusion, the Guinea 25 Sylis 1980 P#24s Specimen in About Uncirculated condition is an exceptional representative of a defunct and ideologically significant currency system. Combining cultural homage, state symbolism, and artistic craftsmanship, the note stands as a document of Guinea’s postcolonial journey through socialism, economic self-reliance, and eventual monetary reform. Its limited production, preserved detail, and compelling design ensure its place as a treasured piece in any serious collection of world paper money.