Jordan Reference Page | Serial Number Prefixes
The serial number prefixes for Jordan have a sequence and a system, however, there are also some notes out of sequence. There is no question that the numbering is in a logical sequence, but sometimes, some notes with an older signature or date are mixed with the new printing and the logic is lost.
On the early notes of Jordan, the serial number prefix is a fractional prefix consisting of a Latin letter over another Latin letter. The top letter indicates the series, with the notes of the first series (Nos.1 - 5) all having 'A' and the notes of the second series (Nos.6 - 8) all having 'B'. The second letter increments in alphabetical sequence as required. The sequence of the prefix continues with each new signature.
On Nos. 9 - 12, the right-hand letter is ا, since this is the first issue or printing. The second letter starts with ب, and continues with the alphanumeric order of the alphabet. Thus the sequence progress in the following manner: اد ,اج ,اب ,اا, etcetera. No. 11a is a good example where the sequence continues on all three signatures.
For Nos. 13 - 16 (the second issue) same method is used. No. 16 is a good example to illustrate the progression of the sequence through five signatures. However, it seems Signature 12A should fall after Signature 13. This signature order was suggested some five years ago, without any study on the prefixes. The very fact that it is numbered as 'A' shows it was added later. For some reason this signature has been removed in the fifth edition of volume 3 of the SCWPM. The chart for Jordan will eventually show the right sequence once the sequence is confirmed.
The same serial number prefix sequence is used for No. 17 onward. For the first time the right-hand letter has gone beyond ا, to ب, and other letters. While No. 18 shows the sequence, again Sign 16 and 17 need to be switched. Once more prefixes are located for each denomination, then they in turn will suggest the signature order.
In the third and fourth issue, each new issue starts with اا, and continues with the same system as before. However, each set has one or two "out of order notes". More information is requested from readers and collectors to clarify the sequence.
For notes of the fourth and fifth series, the ½-dinar and 1-dinar have two black horizontal serial numbers, but for the 5-dinar notes and higher denominations, the right-hand serial number is red and vertical. For the fourth issue, commencing in 1992, the left-hand letter in the horizontal prefix is the same as the top letter of the vertical serial; while the right-hand letter of the horizontal number is the same as the second letter of the vertical serial number. However, from the 1995 issues, the left-hand letter in the prefix of the horizontal number is the same as the second letter of the vertical number and right-hand letter of the horizontal number is the same as the top letter of the vertical serial number.