German notes and red TT $5 bill

This engraved note is dated 1908 and is no longer used in Germany. It has an ornate border with a vignette of two allegorical women holding a frame with the picture of another allegorical woman. It also has the printed signatures of government officials of that time.

Ellies said he bought it from a man right here in Trinidad in the 70s. “This money was around before World War I, before Hitler, and before Germany split up into East and West!” he exclaimed.

He also brought with him a red Trinidad and Tobago $5 bill dating back to 1939. At that time, TT was still under British rule so instead of our Coat of Arms, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom is on it.

He is inviting interested collectors to contact him.

Just as the Warriors are uplifting the nation, Ellies believes calypsonians need to take a hand in helping with the condition in which TT finds itself today.

“We need to address the situation in the country and be the messengers that we ought to be just like the calypsonians in the old days.”

True to his word, Ellies has written two calypsos for the 2007 Carnival — “Don’t Leave Them So” and “Think About It”. Both give advice to parents and youths, and focus on “building the nation”.

He wishes to begin recording the songs next month. “I hope that the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs will support me monetarily to record these upbuilding songs.”