Clarence Holbert Archives

Clarence Holbert (1944-2018): Designer of the Eritrean Currency

November 9, 2022November 9, 2022TesfaNewsLeave a Comment

November 8 marks the 25th anniversary of the circulation of the first Eritrean national banknotes and coins – the Nakfa. BY GRACE SEYOUM | BLACK PAST Clarence Holbert is best known as the chief designer of Eritrea’s currency and the second African American engraver to work at the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Born […]

Designing Eritrea’s Money was Dream Come True

January 26, 2015November 9, 2022TesfaNews20 Comments

By Charles W. Corey, Designing Eritrea’s national currency — the Nakfa — was a “dream come true” for U.S. banknote designer Clarence Holbert because, in his words, it allowed him to become “part of another country’s history and culture.” In a February 10 interview with the Washington File, Holbert proudly took credit for designing the paper […]