The Case of the two Awolowos

The two notes above have the same value and look the same. But if one looks closer, you can see that the one on the right is longer and newer. Which is weird. You would think that printing money would entail printing the same money. Maybe there was something off with the machine? 

I got the note on the left in Abuja at an ATM (I won't say what bank lol). I got the note on the right from yet another ATM (from the same bank), this time in Kaduna. My mother refused to spend the money because we had to "save it" for a special occasion. 

In Lagos, we stayed in a place where the nearest branch of the bank we use was not close to us. Naturally, we had to spend the new money. The first person we paid with the money was a woman on the roadside who sold water. When she got the "mint" notes she prayed for God to bless us, and informed us she would take the money to church and give it as her offering the next Sunday (it was a Friday).

On Saturday, we went to a restaurant and paid with the new notes as well. Same response. The lady came out to see who had paid with new money. She then launched into a longer prayer for us. She also informed us she would take the money to church the next day.

The third person we paid with new money was a young lady selling gala near the bus stop. Again prayers and information about her offering in Church.

Both these notes have the same value, but people prefer newer and cleaner looking things even if they hold the same value as old things.