A Tourist from a Desk

Banknotes are among the most traveled objects on Earth. They cross borders, cultures, and generations, carrying not only economic value but also visual stories. Across the world, countries feature landmarks on their banknotes, including buildings, bridges, monuments, and landscapes, to showcase history, culture, and identity. In this blog, I share some of my favorite banknotes that have crossed my desk, featuring some of the world’s most iconic landmarks and places I hope to visit one day.

In the desert canyons of southern Jordan is the ancient city of Petra. Often called the Rose City because of the color of the sandstone, Petra features the world’s most awe-inspiring archaeological wonders. During the 1st century AD, Petra thrived, marked by the construction of its iconic Al-Khazneh, also known as Khaznat el-Far’oun (Treasury of the pharaoh), and possibly the mausoleum of the Nabataean king Aretas IV. At its peak, its population reached around 20,000. In 106 A.D., the Romans conquered Nabataea, annexed it, and renamed the city Arabia Petraea. Over time, Petra’s significance waned as maritime trade routes rose, and a major earthquake in 363 A.D. damaged many of its structures. During the Byzantine era, several Christian churches emerged in the city, but its decline continued. By the early Islamic period, Petra was largely abandoned, remaining inhabited only by a few nomads. Al-Khazneh is featured on several banknotes from Jordan, as seen on lot 50358 from our Spring 2025 Maastricht sale.

The next iconic landmark I highlight is Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument and a Theravada Buddhist temple in the ancient capital of Angkor. Built between 1113 and 1150 CE under Khmer King Suryavarman II, Angkor Wat has served as a Buddhist temple since the late 13th century and remains an active place of worship. Known for its bas-reliefs and Khmer architecture, it is unique among Angkorian temples for its westward orientation. It stands as a national symbol of Cambodia and is featured on several of its banknotes, including lot 50107 from our Spring 2024 Maastricht auction.

In 1897, as the Ottoman Empire sought to modernize its administration and infrastructure, the Hamidiyyeh clock tower was constructed near the Grand Serail. It marked the 10th anniversary of Abdul Hamid II’s coronation and served as a public timekeeper for mandatory Muslim prayer times; it was also erected in response to Western-style clock towers built by foreign institutions. The clock tower stands 82 ft. tall, and it was the tallest structure in Beirut at the time of its completion. The Hamidiyyeh clock tower is featured on various notes from Lebanon and Syria in the 1920s-30s – see lot 30288 in our 2017 ANA auction.

Lastly, I highlight the Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom in Greek), which was commissioned in 532 CE by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I in modern-day Istanbul. It was built in just five years, an astonishing feat for its time, and was intended to be the greatest cathedral the world had ever seen. For nearly a thousand years, Hagia Sophia served as the spiritual center of the Eastern Orthodox Christian world, except for the period of 1204-1261, when it was briefly a Catholic cathedral during the Latin occupation. In 1453, it was converted into the grand imperial mosque of the Ottoman Empire when Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople. Rather than destroying the building, he ordered it converted into a mosque, a decision that ensured its preservation. Islamic elements were added, and rather than removing Christian mosaics, many were plastered over, unintentionally protecting them for centuries. Hagia Sophia has been featured on rare, non-circulated Greek banknotes, including lot 50193 in our Fall 2025 Maastricht sale.

To take advantage of the strong market and to consign to one of our upcoming sales, please contact Dennis Hengeveld at [email protected] or Aris Maragoudakis at [email protected].