Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone leone banknotes from the 1980s to the 2022 new leone, which knocked three zeros off the currency.

The 2022 notes show a dove of peace and Freetown's famous Cotton Tree.

History and frequently asked questions below ↓

About Sierra Leone banknotes

Sierra Leone introduced the leone in 1964, replacing the British West African pound. Inflation during the 1990s and the civil war pushed values into the thousands, and on 1 July 2022 the new leone replaced the old at 1,000 to one. The Cotton Tree pictured on the 10 leones collapsed in a storm in May 2023.

See also: African banknotes, Gambia, Liberia and Ghana.

Frequently asked questions

When was the new leone introduced?

On 1 July 2022, at 1,000 old leones to one new leone.

What happened to the Cotton Tree?

The centuries-old tree in Freetown, a symbol of the city, fell in a storm in May 2023.

When was the leone first introduced?

In 1964, replacing the British West African pound.

Are your Sierra Leone banknotes genuine?

Yes. Every Sierra Leone note we sell is a genuine banknote, never a copy or replica. Each listing states the grade, gives the Pick catalogue number where one exists and shows the front and back, and every order ships tracked from Hungary.