After the collapse of the Soviet Union, individual states appeared on the world map. They gained not only sovereignty, but also began to write their own story. A distinctive feature of each country was the presence of not only the border, but also its own national currency. Among many other newly formed states, Kyrgyzstan is not the least in importance. This is an amazing corner of the earth with its history and national currency.
What is the currency in Kyrgyzstan?
Kyrgyzstan is one of the first post-Soviet countries to approve its banknotes under the name "som". Already in 1993, the Kyrgyz bank created the first currencies. They were of three types: 1, 5, 20 soms. Coins that are issued in denominations of 1, 10, 50 tyiyins are used as a bargain. An interesting fact is that their shape was square.
The history of the creation of the Kyrgyz catfish
Kyrgyzstan is one of the Turkic republics whose history roots go back to the Golden Horde. At that time, soms were called ingots of silver weighing 205 grams, which serve as raw materials for coins.
The currency of Kyrgyzstan, the som, is relatively young, but has changed several times. All types of catfish, from the very first bill to the one currently in effect, are stored in the State Museum of Kyrgyzstan. The best specialists of the country and abroad were hired to create a sketch of banknotes. Every year, the currency is transformed, and its protection becomes higher. Watermarks and threads make the catfish the most resistant to fakes. It is impossible to discern monetary protection with the naked eye. Many protective elements become visible only under ultraviolet light.
An interesting fact is that the most non-inflationary state is Kyrgyzstan. The som currency automatically becomes the most stable. The rest of the newly formed states also begin the process of creating their own monetary system, taking the Kyrgyz experience as an example.
The national currency of Kyrgyzstan. Description of currency denominations
Kyrgyz catfish has two sides: front and back. On the first are those citizens of Kyrgyzstan who have made a significant contribution to the cultural heritage of the country. On the back are historical architectural monuments and attractions. The nominal number is presented in bills from 20 to 5000 soms.
Togolok Moldo, a famous poet of Kyrgyzstan, is depicted on a 20-som banknote; on the back is the Manas Mausoleum. A 50 som bill is adorned by Kurmanjan Datka. She is known as the ruler of the Kyrgyz Altai. The back side is the attraction of Kyrgyzstan - Uzgen. It is a famous architectural heritage.
The currency of Kyrgyzstan with a face value of 100 soms is represented by the national poet Toktogul Satylganov. The Toktogulky dam was a depiction of the reverse side. The beautiful and healing lake Issyk-Kul, paired with the poet Alykul Osmonov, was located on a banknote of 200 soms. At 500 soms you can see the Kyrgyz poet Sayakbai Karalaev and the Mausoleum of Manas. 1000 soms adorns Mount Sulayman-Too, on front side of the bill - the poet Zhusup Balasagyn, and the bill of 5 thousand is occupied by the image of actor Suymenkul Chokmorov, known throughout the former USSR, and the Ala-Too cinema.
Coin Description
As in many other states, besides paper banknotes, there are also small coins. It is noteworthy that in Kyrgyzstan there is no 1 tyiyin coin in the hands of citizens. It can be found only among collectors. Bank of Kyrgyzstan issues commemorative coins made of base metal and precious metal. For example, 1 and 5 soms, 10 soms from silver, 100 soms from gold became copper-nickel coins.The total number of issued special coins for 2015 was 52 different coins. Of these, 11 cupronickel, 38 silver and two gold coins of 999 samples.
In 1993, only three change coins were created. They were square in shape. A steppe eagle was placed on the main side, and a repeating national ornament on the back. The coins were of the same design and differed only in denomination and color: 1 som - brown-orange, 10 som - green, with a significant predominance of brown, and 50 som with a blue color.
Since then, the coins have undergone many changes, but they still have local sights and images of great Kyrgyz figures combined with ornaments.
What do travelers need to know?
Kyrgyzstan is a country with amazing landscapes. The fascinating Lake Issyk-Kul and the proud mountain peaks attract tourists from many countries every year. The first thing guests encounter is buying a local currency. The currency of Kyrgyzstan (KGS) is the only currency accepted in the calculation of purchases in the territory of Kyrgyzstan. Therefore, dollars, euros or any other world currency should be exchanged. To this end, a significant number of exchange points are being created. The only thing to consider when choosing a place of exchange is the exchange rate. In the province, it may be lower than in cities.
Beautiful country of Kyrgyzstan. Som currency is a national currency. Thanks to the work done to create the currency, the som has become a kind of visiting card of the country, respected throughout the world.