Kalșerian hem

 

Kalșerian hem

Kalșériton hem
ISO 4217
Code	(numeric: )
Subunit	6998100000000000000♠0.01
Unit
Plural	hemia
Symbol	ħ, H.‎
Denominations
Subunit
1/100	Cent
Plural
Cent	Cents Centia (Kalhan)
Symbol
Cent	c.
Banknotes
Freq. used	ħ5, ħ10, ħ20, ħ50, ħ100
Coins
Freq. used	3v, 1/2ƒ, 1ƒ, 3ƒ, 6ƒ, ħ1, ħ2
Rarely used	1v, ħ1½, ħ2½
Demographics
Date of introduction	November 15, 1932
User(s)	Kalșeri
Issuance
Central bank	Bank of Kalșeri
Printer	Kalșerian Minting Authority
Mint	Kalșerian Minting Authority
Valuation
Value	1 USD = 2.3579 KLH (April 1, 2022)

The Kalșerian hem (hem being Kalhan for "sun", pl. hemia; symbol: ħ; code: KLH) is the currency of Kalșeri. It is divided into twelve florins, themselves divided into twelve shenvoys each.

The hem has been circulating since November 15, 1932, when it replaced the Kalșerian dollar on a 1:1 exchange rate by order of Ioen Rovuan, in an effort to boost national identity and to separate Kalșeri from the various countries making use of currencies also called "dollar".

Starting from June 1, 2024, the hem has been decimalized: each hem is now divided in 100 cents. Prior to decimalization, the hem was one of only three non-decimal currencies currently circulating, the others being the Mauritanian ouguiya and the Malagasy ariary. The pre-decimal subunits were called the florin (florín), worth ​¹⁄₁₂ of a hem, and the shenvoy (șenvú), worth ​¹⁄₁₂ of a florin; therefore, the shenvoy was ​¹⁄₁₄₄ of a hem. Each unit and sub-unit was separated by a dash, i.e. 1-9-6, ħ1-9ƒ-6v or ħ1-9'-6" (one hem, nine florins and six shenvoys); the hem symbol is placed before the number, whereas the symbols for the florin and the shenvoy are placed after the number. In online commerce and in exchange rates, the pre-decimal subunits were often rendered into their decimal counterparts.

Coins

The first set of coins for the hem, introduced in 1937, included denominations of 1v, 3v, 6v, 1/2ƒ, 1ƒ, 3ƒ and ħ1½ (a "sovereign"). The current design of the coins was introduced in 1968, and has undergone only small changes since its inception. Also in 1968, a ħ2½ coin was introduced, nicknamed the "shield", the obverse of which cycled through the shields of all the cantons of Kalșeri in alphabetical order.

Due to the intense usage, and thus higher chance of damage, of the 1/2ƒ, ħ1 and ħ2 notes, these were replaced with coins on October 20, 1982. Starting from 1983, a circulating commemorative design has been minted on the sovereign. All Kalșerian coins depict the national emblem on the obverse.

Because of the low value of the 1v coin, it was only minted minted every three years starting from 1998.

In 2017, a Bank of Kalșeri report, commissioned by the Ureska government, was drafted on the possible benefits and ease of use of a decimal hem. After political discussion, the Hem Decimalization Act, which sets June 1, 2024 as the first day of circulation of decimal coinage and December 31, 2026 as the last day in which pre-decimal coinage can be used for transactions, was approved by Congress on February 1, 2022. On September 1, 2022, Bank of Kalșeri released a statement that the designs would remain unchanged to facilitate the transition, and that the dot would still be the decimal separator. Due to their low value, the 1v (​¹⁄₁₄₄ of a hem) and 3v (​¹⁄₄₈ of a hem) coins were not carried over to the new decimal system.

2024 decimal coins
Value	Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	Date of first minting of current design
ħ0.05	18 mm	1.9 mm	3.8 g	97.5% zinc 2.5% copper	Smooth	National emblem; name of country; year of minting	An ancient Lágan house; value	2024
ħ0.10	21.5 mm	2 mm	4.2 g	Cupronickel 75% copper 25% nickel	Smooth	National emblem; name of country; year of minting	The Kalhan stone; value	2024
ħ​1⁄4	23 mm	2.5 mm	4.7 g	Cupronickel 75% copper 25% nickel	Smooth		Great egret; value	2024
ħ​1⁄2	24.5 mm	3 mm	5.2 g	Cupronickel 75% copper 25% nickel	Reeded		Black spruce; value	2024
ħ1	22.5 mm	2.5 mm	5.6 g	Nickel brass	Reeded	National emblem; value; year of minting	Robert Silorsi; name of country	2024
ħ1½ ("sovereign")	23.5 mm	3.375 mm	6.0 g	Nickel brass	Reeded		Name of country; obverse changes every year	2024
ħ2	24.5 mm	3.75 mm	6.4 g	Outer part: Nickel brass Inner part: cupronickel	Reeded "ERILE • RID • FOITA"	National emblem; value; year of minting	Enrico Scioni; name of country	2024
ħ2½ ("shield")	25.5 mm	4 mm	6.8 g	Nickel brass	Reeded Name of canton	National emblem; value; year of minting	Name of country; cantonal shield; name of canton (changes every year)	2024

Pre-decimal coins

Pre-decimal coins
Value	Diameter	Thickness	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse	Date of first minting of last design
1v (ħ1/144)	12 mm	1.5 mm	3 g	97.5% zinc 2.5% copper	Smooth	National emblem; name of country; year of minting	A bow and an arrow; value	1991
3v (ħ1/48)	15 mm	1.5 mm	3.4 g	97.5% zinc 2.5% copper	Smooth		A ancient Lágan boat; value	1991
1/2ƒ (ħ1/24)	18 mm	1.9 mm	3.8 g	97.5% zinc 2.5% copper	Reeded		An ancient Lágan house; value	1991
1ƒ (ħ1/12)	21.5 mm	2 mm	4.2 g	Cupronickel 75% copper 25% nickel	Smooth	National emblem; name of country; year of minting	The Kalhan stone; value	1991
3ƒ (ħ1/4)	23 mm	2.5 mm	4.7 g	Cupronickel 75% copper 25% nickel	Smooth		Great egret; value	1968
6ƒ (ħ1/2)	24.5 mm	3 mm	5.2 g	Cupronickel 75% copper 25% nickel	Reeded		Black spruce; value	1968
ħ1	22.5 mm	2.5 mm	5.6 g	Nickel brass	Reeded	National emblem; value; year of minting	Robert Silorsi; name of country	1982
ħ1½	23.5 mm	3.375 mm	6.0 g	Nickel brass	Reeded		Name of country; obverse changes every year	1983
ħ2	24.5 mm	3.75 mm	6.4 g	Outer part: Nickel brass Inner part: cupronickel	Reeded "ERILE • RID • FOITA"	National emblem; value; year of minting	Enrico Scioni; name of country	1982
ħ2½	25.5 mm	4 mm	6.8 g	Nickel brass	Reeded Name of canton	National emblem; value; year of minting	Name of country; cantonal shield (changes every year)	1968

Banknotes

Banknotes of the hem were issued in 1937, replacing the overprint issues of the former dollar. Four series have been issued throughout the history of the currency; the latest series was launched in 2021.

Overprint series (1932–1937)

The first note series of the hem consisted of bills of the Kalșerian dollar, designed, engraved, and printed by the US Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing, with their new value stamped on them. This was intended to be a temporary measure, but design and production of proper hem banknotes was delayed by the events of the Ioen Rovuan presidency and its immediate aftermath.

On June 1, 1937, the Bank of Kalșeri ordered the withdrawal of all overprint series. Citizens could exchange overprint notes for proper hem notes until January 1, 1940.

Overprint-series banknotes
Value	Dimensions	Main color	Obverse	Reverse	Date of issue	Date of withdrawal
$1/2 (6ƒ)	152 × 64 mm	Green	Karl Rovuansi	Cliffs of Western Kalúen	January 15, 1932	June 1, 1937
$1 (ħ1)	156 × 66 mm		Archibald Hayworth	Percy Harbor
$2 (ħ2)	160 × 68 mm		Enrik Gann	Gann House
$5 (ħ5)	164 × 70 mm		Tecwen Darby	Artsagia Memorial
$10 (ħ10)	168 × 72 mm		Tomas Ienuvion	St. Joseph's Cathedral, Evalria
$20 (ħ20)	172 × 74 mm		Mark Sellers-Casey	Kalșerian National Library building in Lennoxton, Takalim
$50 (ħ50)	176 × 76 mm		Charles Haughey	Governor's Mansion in Carnafarry, New Kerry
$100 (ħ100)	180 × 78 mm		Andrew Poxton	Museum of Natural Science in Evalria

First series (1937–1969)

The first proper series of the hem, which closely followed the overprint series in terms of design, featured effigies of past Presidents on the obverse, and famous buildings on the reverse. The ħ200 and ħ500 notes were introduced in this series, while the ħ1/2 note was discontinued.

First-series banknotes
Value	Dimensions	Main color	Obverse	Reverse	Date of issue	Date of withdrawal
ħ1	160 × 79 mm	Green	Archibald Hayworth	Percy Harbor	June 1, 1937	September 1, 1969
ħ2	165 × 79 mm		Enrik Gann	Gann House
ħ5	170 × 79 mm		Tecwen Darby	Artsagia Memorial
ħ10	175 × 79 mm		Tomas Ienuvion	St. Joseph's Cathedral, Evalria
ħ20	180 × 79 mm		Mark Sellers-Casey	Kalșerian National Library building in Lennoxton, Takalim
ħ50	185 × 79 mm		Charles Haughey	Governor's Mansion in Carnafarry, New Kerry
ħ100	190 × 79 mm		Andrew Poxton	Museum of Natural Science in Evalria
ħ200	195 × 79 mm		Karl Rovuansi	Governor's Mansion in Hartleyville, New Lothian
ħ500	200 × 79 mm		John D. Ewing	Scene of work in an Urgelian factory

Second series (1969–1998)

The third series, introduced on September 1, 1969, featured a revamp of the design of each note. This series was issued in response to complaints that earlier notes were hard to distinguish and too similar to the Federal Reserve Notes of the United States.

The series was updated on October 20, 1982, with new security measures to combat counterfeiting, as well as a commemorative ħ200 note to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Kalșerian independence from the United Kingdom. The update also included the substitution of the ħ1 and ħ2 notes with coins of the same denomination. On April 15, 1989, the Bank of Kalșeri stopped printing the ħ500 note, officially due to low usage.

Second-series banknotes
Value	Dimensions	Main color	Obverse	Reverse	Date of issue	Date of withdrawal
ħ1	115 × 75 mm	Green	Archibald Hayworth	Cliffs of Western Kalúen	September 1, 1969	October 20, 1982
ħ2	120 × 75 mm	Blue	Enrik Gann	Gann House
ħ5	122 × 75 mm	Purple	Ignașus Holbek	Scene of a lecture in a university		March 1, 1998
ħ10	125 × 75 mm	Red	Tomas Ienuvion	First lines of Serifalalko; scene from the Kalșerian War of Independence
ħ20	130 × 75 mm	Brown	Mark Sellers-Casey	First lines of the first book of the Cycles of Halmer; traditional boat
ħ50	135 × 75 mm	Pink	Hugh Sellick	View to the Las Encinas Harbor
ħ100	140 × 75 mm	Teal	Gabriel Geasergi	Preamble of the Charter in Kalhan; Belmare House, Plymouth, Lág
ħ200	145 × 75 mm	Gray	Charles Haughey	Landscape of Carnafarry, New Kerry (regular issue) Archibald Hayworth and Tomas Ienuvion giving a speech in Evalria (1982 commemorative issue)
ħ500	150 × 75 mm	Orange	Andrew Poxton	Landscape of Cowhill, Tigupoke		April 15, 1989

Third series (1998–2021)

The fourth series was introduced on March 1, 1998. This series updated the overall design of the banknotes, and introduced the 2:1 ratio for the dimensions of each banknote.

On January 1, 2010, the series was updated with additional measures against counterfeiting. The ħ200 banknote, which had been withdrawn four years earlier due to low usage by the population and concerns of illegal transactions widely using this banknote, was not updated. The Ministry of Finance has given a tentative date of 2028 for the withdrawal of the 2010 series.

Third-series banknotes
Value	Dimensions	Main color	Obverse	Reverse	Date of issue	Date of withdrawal
ħ5	110 × 55 mm	Pink	Archibald Hayworth	View of Evalria	March 1, 1998	February 28, 2010 (1998 issue)
ħ10	120 × 60 mm	Red	Róderik Éfongi	A barn
ħ20	130 × 65 mm	Blue	Lavuan Kérahan	First lines of the first book of the Cycles of Halmer; traditional boat
ħ50	140 × 70 mm	Green	Tomas Ienuvion	First lines of Seriflalko; Mount Takal
ħ100	150 × 75 mm	Gray	Ignașus Holbek	Preamble of the Charter in Kalhan; Belmare House, Plymouth, Lág
ħ200	160 × 80 mm	Purple	Charlotte Cosworth	Articles of the Charter relating to equality; Governor's Mansion in Cowhill, Tigupoke		January 1, 2006

Fourth series (2021–present)

In 2019, the Bank of Kalșeri announced that a new design for the banknotes was slated for introduction in 2021, and that the new series would be made of polymer. The fourth series was launched on July 1, 2021. Unlike older banknotes, this new series features a vertical obverse.

Fourth-series banknotes
Value	Dimensions	Main color	Obverse	Reverse	Date of issue
ħ5	110 × 55 mm	Blue	Archibald Hayworth	Cliffs of Western Kalúen	July 1, 2021
ħ10	120 × 60 mm	Red	Lauren Wilson-Baltiogi	Hills of southern New Kerry
ħ20	130 × 65 mm	Green	Charlotte Cosworth	Lines of the Charter concerning women's rights; Congress Garden, Evalria
ħ50	140 × 70 mm	Pink	Tomas Ienuvion	First lines of Serifalalko; Mount Takal
ħ100	150 × 75 mm	Purple	Ignașus Holbek	Preamble of the Charter in Kalhan; Belmare House, Plymouth, Lág

Legal tender

Kalșerian law states that every banknote and coinage issued by the Bank of Kalșeri is considered to be legal tender, unless otherwise stated by the Bank through a Bulletin of Demonetization. The Bank has issued six such Bulletins:

1. the first Bulletin, issued on January 1, 1937, which ordered the withdrawal of all coins struck prior to 1937, and all notes issued prior to 1937 from circulation, and set an exchange period that would lapse on January 1, 1940;
2. the second Bulletin, issued on January 1, 1984, which ordered the withdrawal of the remaining ħ1 and ħ2 bills, all coins struck prior to 1968, and all notes issued between 1937 and 1969 from circulation;
3. the third Bulletin, issued on March 1, 1998, which ordered the withdrawal of all notes issued between 1969 and 1981, as well as the ħ500 note, from general circulation, and allows shops to decide whether to accept 1v coins;
4. the fourth Bulletin, issued on January 1, 2010, which ordered the withdrawal of all notes issued between 1982 and 1997 and the ħ200 note from general circulation.
5. the fifth Bulletin, issued on January 1, 2019, which ordered the withdrawal of all notes issued between 1998 and 2009 general circulation.
6. the sixth Bulletin, issued on September 1, 2022, which ordered the withdrawal of the 1v and 3v coins from general circulation, and states that pre-decimal coinage will cease to be legal tender on January 1, 2027.

While the ħ1.5 ("sovereign") and the ħ2.5 ("shield") coins are intended for coin collectors, hence the limit on minting per year, transactions involving these two coins are not uncommon.

The ħ200 and ħ500 notes are currently classified as "bank transfer notes", which means that banks may still use the most recent designs of said notes for storage and transfer purposes.