Monitoring the Individuals Linked to Banknotes
In the realm of economic research, a gap has been identified: a comprehensive dataset that lists individuals who appear on banknotes across 38 countries, complete with detailed statistics. Such a dataset does not seem to exist in the current literature or accessible platforms. However, there are related resources that might provide some insights.
Recently, researchers at The Pudding have taken the initiative to create a dataset tracking individuals who appear on banknotes in 38 countries. This dataset, which consists of 241 individuals found on 236 circulating banknotes, is associated with a visual representation of the banknotes, available on the platform Flickr. The image of the banknotes, credited to Flickr user National Bank of Ukraine, serves as a visual representation of the circulating banknotes in the dataset.
The dataset includes a wealth of information about each individual, such as their name, gender, profession, the first year they appeared on the banknote, and the year they deceased. Interestingly, the profession of writers is the most common to appear on a banknote, accounting for 19 percent of individuals found in the dataset.
While this dataset provides a valuable starting point, it is important to note that it is not a comprehensive resource for all countries. For a dataset of individuals appearing on banknotes from multiple countries, one would typically have to compile information from central bank publications, national mint reports, or collectors’ databases piecemeal rather than via a single comprehensive source.
For instance, the Bank of England’s public guidance emphasizes themes and the process of selecting images but does not maintain an open dataset on all portraits used internationally. Other resources, such as a global financial inclusion database (Global Findex), a banknote identification app with a global catalog, and general statistical and dataset resources, while valuable, do not include portraits on currency.
In conclusion, while a comprehensive dataset on individuals appearing on banknotes across 38 countries is currently not openly available, the dataset created by The Pudding offers a valuable starting point for researchers and enthusiasts interested in this field. However, for a more comprehensive resource, specialized banknote identification software or collector databases might be the closest option, although they may require direct access or licensing.
This newly created dataset by The Pudding, consisting of 241 individuals found on 236 circulating banknotes, features various details about each individual such as name, gender, profession, first year appeared, and year deceased. Analysts in the field of finance and business might find this dataset valuable, especially given that it's associated with a visual representation of the banknotes on Flickr and presents an interesting insight into the professions of individuals depicted on banknotes, with writers being the most common at 19 percent.
