These didn’t fit anywhere in the trajectory of In Letters We Trust, my recent presentation at TypeCon 2014. But still, I couldn’t leave them just laying about.
These banknotes were issued by the North African nation of Mauritania between 1974 and 2004, and were printed by the German security firm Giesecke & Devrient. They offer dazzling color and pattern, but also make an excellent example of design for a set. They find the precarious balance of unity and diversity, where each piece has a distinct identity but is unmistakably part of a larger group.
I bought these notes years ago, feeling sure that I would find a use for something this beautiful. There was an idea for a lecture on the design of sets: baseball cards, soup cans, banknotes. That’s been shelved for now, but may return later. Until then, enjoy the images. (Click on each note for lots of detail — big files!)
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