Greysheet Catalog Details
Italy decided that it would be prudent for its colonies to use a separate currency instead of the Italian lira. On 9 May 1936, Italian Somaliland, Eritrea, and Ethiopia were joined into the administrative area of Africa Orientale Italiana (Italian East Africa). With a special decree on 28 March 1938, the Banca d’Italia (Bank of Italy, BDI) was authorized to issue banknotes denominated in lire, similar to the notes then circulating in Italy, but with different colors and red overprints in the margins: SERIE SPECIALE AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA / È VIETATA LA CIRCOLAZIONE FUORI DEI TERRITORI DELL’AFRICA ORIENTALE ITALIANA (Italian East Africa Special Series / Not for circulation outside the Italian East African Territories).