100 Kenyan Shillings Banknote (1996)

100 Shilingi / Shill Shilling (Issued 1996-2002)

The 100 Shillings denomination formed part of Kenya’s Security Thread Issue series, which circulated alongside lower and higher denominations sharing a unified design language rooted in national symbolism and presidential portraiture. Issued from 1 July 1996 and remaining in circulation until 2002, this note was produced at a pivotal moment when the Central Bank of Kenya introduced enhanced anti-counterfeit measures across its banknote family. The 100 Shillings occupies a mid-range position within the series, distinguishing itself through a combination of rich purple and violet tones offset by warm orange-red accent colours. Its design reflects Kenya’s institutional confidence and economic identity during the late 1990s.

On the front, the dominant feature is a large, finely engraved portrait of Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, the second President of the Republic of Kenya, rendered in intaglio in tones of purple and violet against a pale guilloché background. President Moi is depicted in a formal suit, facing slightly to the right, with a composed and authoritative expression; his name and title — “Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi, President of the Republic of Kenya” — are printed in small text beneath the portrait. The words “BENKI KUU YA KENYA” and “CENTRAL BANK OF KENYA” are displayed prominently across the upper portion of the note in a bold serif typeface. To the upper right, the Kenyan national coat of arms is engraved in detail, flanked by decorative guilloché rosette patterns in orange and purple. The denomination numeral “100” appears in large figures on the upper left and the serial number “AA8784636” is printed twice — once vertically along the left margin and once horizontally towards the lower right — in red-orange ink. The phrase “LEGAL TENDER FOR ONE HUNDRED SHILLINGS” and “SHILINGI MIA MOJA” are stated in the central field, with the date “1st JULY 1996” printed to the upper left. Below the coat of arms, a pale rectangular panel contains the signatures of the Governor and a Member of the Board of Directors, with the caption “FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS” printed above. A security thread is embedded vertically within the paper, visible as a dark windowed strip. To the lower left, a small circular watermark window and a decorative red and orange floral motif — resembling a stylised Kenyan flower — add further colour contrast. The overall guilloché background across the note is composed of fine concentric and interlocking patterns in pale tones, providing a complex anti-counterfeiting substrate.

The reverse presents a striking architectural scene depicting the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi, rendered in detailed intaglio engraving in purple and blue-grey tones. The building’s distinctive drum-shaped tower and wide, stepped podium structure are clearly identifiable, with small human figures gathered at the entrance plaza, lending a sense of scale and civic activity to the composition. A dramatic clouded sky forms the backdrop, achieved through subtle tonal gradations across the upper portion of the note. To the left of the main architectural image, a detailed botanical illustration of a coffee branch is printed in green and red, showing leaves, berries, and stems — a direct reference to one of Kenya’s most important agricultural exports. The denomination numeral “100” appears in large red figures in each of the four corners of the reverse, printed in bold sans-serif type. A small circular emblem in orange-gold tones appears to the lower right, featuring a stylised symbol within a decorative border. The paper background carries fine geometric latticework and screen-printed patterns in pale lavender, providing depth and texture across the entire reverse field.

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• Indicate the quantity of 100 Shilingi / Shill Shilling banknotes you want to exchange
• Click the ‘Add to your account’ button
• Your online account now shows the exchange value

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Other Kenyan Shillings you can exchange: 5, 10, 20, 50, 200, 500, 1000.