Collection Inspiration: Lighthouses

Posted on 8/25/2026

National Lighthouse Day is commemorated in August, so we're taking a look at banknotes that spotlight lighthouses from around the world.

Lighthouses are towering beacons of light that help to safeguard sailors, guide ships through dangerous waters, and have stood as symbols of hope and guidance for generations. Celebrated annually on August 7, National Lighthouse Day began in 1989 to commemorate the bicentennial of the 1789 congressional act that established support for lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and public piers, placing them under federal protection as part of the nation's first public works initiative.

The annual observance not only honors lighthouses but also the people who maintained them, paying tribute to their vital role in maritime safety and coastal heritage. On this day, lighthouse groups offer the general public a full lineup of fun educational activities, including tours, cruises, and presentations that pay tribute to America’s lighthouses and their special history.

To commemorate National Lighthouse Day, PMG is taking a look at banknotes from around the world that feature images of lighthouses.

Elbow Reef Lighthouse (Bahamas)

The Bahamas' 2010 10 Dollar banknote is bursting with colorful imagery, including the Elbow Reef Lighthouse and flamingoes that are captured on the back of the note. Located in Hope Town, the lighthouse is the last actively manned station in the world that has not been electrified. To this day, the lens is hand-wound by a lighthouse keeper and is still fueled by kerosene.



Click images to enlarge.

Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (Bermuda)

Built by the Royal Engineers, which is the military engineering division of the British Army, the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse was erected in 1894 and was one of the first lighthouses in the world to be made of cast-iron. Still a popular tourist attraction today, the lighthouse keeper's former living quarters at the base of the tower was converted into a restaurant (the Lighthouse Tea Room) in the early 1990s. A full landscape portrait of the lighthouse can be found on the back of Bermuda's 50 Dollar notes dated 1978-1982.



Click images to enlarge.

Les Hanois Lighthouse (Guernsey)

Following an increasing number of shipwrecks that occurred on the treacherous rocks off the western coast of Guernsey in the mid-19th century, the Les Hanois Lighthouse began construction in 1860 and was first lit in late 1862 to aid ships at sea in the area. Almost 150 years later, the structure was showcased on the Guernsey 2000 5 Pounds with a closeup image of the light tower on the back of the commemorative note.



Click images to enlarge.

La Corbière Lighthouse (Jersey)

Another small island nation of the Channel Islands similar to Guernsey, Jersey is the largest of the Channel Islands. Located on the far southwestern point of Jersey, the La Corbière Lighthouse was first lit in April 1874. As one of the most photographed landmarks in Jersey, its panoramic views are on display on the back of Jersey's 1982 20 Pence coin and their (1993) 5 Pound note.



Click images to enlarge.

Benghazi Lighthouse (Libya)

Printed in bright green on a multicolor underprint, the Benghazi Lighthouse in Libya is highlighted on the front of the country's (2013) 50 Dinars banknote. Built in 1922 during the Italian colonization of Libya, it sits on the Mediterranean Sea in the Sidi Khrebish neighborhood of Benghazi, which makes it one of the region’s oldest and most prominent landmarks.



Click images to enlarge.

Guia Lighthouse (Macau)

Constructed in the mid-1860s, the Guia Lighthouse is the first Western-style lighthouse in the Far East, Southeast Asia, or on the China coast. The lighthouse was built in a complex in São Lázaro known as Guia Fortress that also includes a colonial military fort and chapel. The complex is part of the Historic Centre of Macau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is prominently featured on their vibrant blue 2008 100 Patacas banknote issued by the Bank of China.



Click images to enlarge.

Cape Spartel Lighthouse (Morocco)

Located at the most northwestern point of Africa and sitting 1,000 feet above sea level at the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, the Cape Spartel Lighthouse marks the point where the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean waters come together. One of the largest lighthouses in Africa, it is one of the most famous tourist attractions in northern Morocco. The popular landmark can also be found on the back of Morocco's 2012 200 Dirhams banknote.



Click images to enlarge.

Westerlichttoren Lighthouse (Netherlands)

A banknote that truly lets the lighthouse shine, the Netherlands 1985 250 Gulden showcases the Westerlichttoren Lighthouse (or West Schouwen) in Haamstede on this colorful note. With its famous red-and-white spiral striped daymarks, the Westerlichttoren is one of the tallest lighthouses in the Netherlands. Unattended today, it consists of 226 stone and iron steps that lead to its top.



Click images to enlarge.

Utvær Lighthouse (Norway)

Utvær Lighthouse is located in the western part of Solund Municipality in Vestland county and is the westernmost coastal lighthouse in Norway. Painted red in its entirety, the Norway 2018 50 Kroner banknote features modern imagery of a closeup depiction of the light tower. First lit in 1900, the lighthouse was heavily damaged in an air raid during World War II. Although many of the buildings in the area were burned to the ground during the war, the historic light tower was spared and guided tours (only accessible by boat) are still offered today.



Click images to enlarge.

Almnara Tower (Somalia)

Although the Mosque of Islamic Solidarity is prominently featured on the front of the Somalia / Transitional Federal Government 2010 50,000 Shilin note, our attention is focused on Almnara Tower, which adorns the back side of the banknote. Built centuries ago in the 1200s, the medieval conical tower has traditionally served as a beacon and navigational landmark for sailors entering the port of Mogadishu.



Click images to enlarge.

If you're interested in more inspiring banknotes, check out our other Collection Inspiration columns for more collecting ideas, including ones centered on tombs, palaces, and Roman ruins. Also, be sure to follow PMG on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Twitter for other articles and interesting notes posted daily.

Articles List