William Keijzers is another long time contributor who has been largely responsible for bringing Argentina to second spot on the site. Born in the Netherlands, William's work as a Construction Supervisor has taken him to many interesting places around the world - Aruba, St. Martin, Netherlands Antilles, Guinea Bissau, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Yemen Arab Republic and Saudi Arabia.

He met his wife Helen in 1986 and they were married in St. Martin and now have two children, Iris and Kim. William started as a coin collector in 1975 and as an adjunct added a banknote from each country he visited. In 1984 he visited the Philippines and discovered the guerilla issues, then on a trip to India he was also introduced to the Princely States issues - both of which have endless collecting possibilities.

On a trip to Argentina in 2003 William's interest expanded again to bonos, a specialty that is extremely challenging because of the extensive number of different issues, many as yet undocumented. He made trips to Corrientes, Salta, Tucuman, Cordoba, La Rioja and other provinces cementing his interest in bonos. William has also contributed a number of Bolivia, Chile, Netherlands New Guinea, Qatar, India Princely States and Philippines images.

The three contributors that I have recognized here have added not only a great number of banknote issues but each has made a significant effect on the overall quality of the site with their outstanding scans and background information. William, thanks again for your hard work - it has made a big difference!                                                                                       8.1.2010 

Don Cleveland is a long time major contributor to the site. Born in Oregon, USA, he has been a collector for nearly 35 year and was the founder of the Melbourne Chapter of the IBNS – a group which still meets once a month in downtown Melbourne. After being bitten by the "international bug" while in the US military, Don obtained a Masters Degree in Marketing and Economics, then spent the rest of his career as a Diplomat in the US State Department.

Don's diplomatic assignments have taken him to Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, and as U.S. Consul for Economics and Trade in Melbourne, Australia, where he met and married his wife, Jan - clearly his most important engagement! Don was also assigned to Papua New Guinea, Canberra-AUS, Trinidad & Tobago, the Philippines, Washington-DC and Fiji. He is now retired, although he still accepts occasional short assignments when asked by the State Department. 

Brent Arthurson is a professional numismatist with the Rare Coin Company who has also been a long time contributor to this site. We would like to acknowledge Brent for his hard work and support to this website, in spite of his own difficult schedules. Brent always comes through with great images from a broad array of interests. I would categorize him as an expert generalist as he spans the entire globe and I am constantly surprised at the range of his numismatic knowledge.

I know when he sees his picture here it will be a big surprise to him as his wife Heather, also a contributor to the site, provided the picture stating that he "will probably be embarrassed as he is very modest about his numismatic knowledge."

As this site approaches 10,000 banknotes displayed, it is thanks to contributors like Brent and several others, who we hope to spotlight soon, that have made it possible. Brent, thanks again, we appreciate all you have done in spite of your difficult circumstances.                         .21.5.2010

FAMOUS WOMEN IN HISTORY

Las Mariposas, The Butterflies is another Famous Women in History Power Point Presentation created by Heather Arthurson of IBNS, Perth Australia. It is a moving story about the Mirabal Sisters, of the Dominican Republic who opposed the dictatorship of Rafael Trujillo.

Three of the sisters were assassinated but the fourth, Bélgica Adela "Dedé" Mirabal-Reyes survived and currently runs a museum in Salcedo dedicated to the memory of her sisters. A commemorative banknote was issued for the sisters in 2007.

Catherine Flon Archaie is the subject of a Power Point presentation given by Perth, Australia IBNS member Heather Arthurson. Catherine Flon, is seen at left in a wonderful painting by artist  Alexandra Barbot.

Flon was the goddaughter of Haitian Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines who asked her to rip out the white of the French flag to create the first Haitian flag. Flon, the Betsy Ross of Haïti, has been featured on several Haitii banknotes. learn more...

JORDAN

Jordan's Queen Rania is very popular in Jordan not only because of her great beauty but for the excellent work she is doing in the country. The Jordan  section has a total of 27 images, included is a wonderful autographed image of Queen Rania sent in by Dr. Márián Zoltán of Hungary.

Dr.Zoltán has collected autographed pictures of world leaders and personalities for many years and is currently looking for the whereabouts of the former Sultan of Zanzibar, Jamshid bin Abdullah. Readers with knowledge of the Sultan are encouraged to write us and we will pass the information on.

Our sincere thanks go to specialist Mahdi Bseiso for his help with this section. 

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