Banknote Denomination/s and Date of Issue
On May 10, 2023 the National Bank has introduced the new series of the national currency that was put into cirulation step by step:
- 200, 500, 1000 Som – issued on May 10, 2023
- 20, 50, 100 Som – issued on February 15, 2024
- 5000 Som – issued on May 10, 2024
Submitting Organziation Name and role, if any, in the Project
National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
Banknote Issuer’s Organization Name
Project Description
On 10 May 2023, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the national currency by introducing the new series of banknotes.
Since 1993, the National Bank has issued five successive banknote issues, each of them providing valuable experience in security, public perception and usage, design and procurement. The new series is a demonstration of these lessons learned, capping the evolution of the national currency and the knowledge accumulated by the NBKR over thirty years.
A notable aspect of the new series is the coordination of its design implementation and production across two suppliers. Each supplier had to develop and manufacture original materials independently but identically based on the designs created internally by the National Bank. To achieve the highest consistency of banknotes, for aesthetic and security purposes, it was necessary to coordinate the work of all participants. An independent consultant was retained by the National Bank to ensure visual and technical continuity across the family of banknotes.
The total unification of appearance and technical aspects of the banknotes from origination through production and issuance by two printers simultaneously, while challenging, was achieved and delivered to the National Bank its dual objectives of a modern and secure family of banknotes and the highest integrity of its supply. This was achieved across seven denominations banknotes, i.e., a large and visually connected family of banknotes that leveraged the public’s familiarity of historic and cultural motifs and color schemes but with a totally new and fresh appearance.
Project Team
Legal Tender/Continuous Circulation/Face Value Confirmation
Innovation and Uniqueness of Security Features
The new series of banknotes use three new security features that the NBKR was very quickly able to assess soon after their commercial release. The new series utilizes a combination of overt, Level 1 public features both integrated and printed, and in size and number commensurate with banknote value.
For example, the RAPID® HD Detect micro-optic security thread was launched in early 2021and ’Arc-en-Ciel™ 2.0 (multicolor latent image) feature is the first reference for a new banknotes series with Arc-en-Ciel™ 2.0.
The banknotes are also equipped with SPARK Live® Truspin® and its latest modification of SPARK Flow® Dimension (also launched in 2021) on the highest denomination.
Additionally, the 50, 200 and 1000 Soms banknotes use Bioguard™ varnish treatment with dual biocidal protection offering anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties but also anti-viral protection.
These advanced security features met the goals of the NBKR’s technical and design needs for customization and integration.
Integration of historical or local content that is relevant to the country concerned
The series’ design reflect the historical and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan: the portraits – representatives of Kyrgyz national art and culture – on the front of the banknotes and notable sites of the republic on the reverse.
The terrain of Kyrgyzstan is dominated by mountain systems, which together occupy about 65% of the national territory. Kyrgyzstan has two mountain peaks exceeding 7,000 meters and 23 peaks exceeding 6,000 meters. The peculiarity of this landscape is reflected in the banknote design.
The images of the majestic mountains symbolize the independent spirit of the Kyrgyz people, striving for high achievements and successes.
Each denomination displays its own mountain corresponding to the region where the subject of the portrait hails. In addition, the micro-images show unique animals of Kyrgyzstan that belong to a specific region.
Effectiveness of the integration of security features into the banknote
Key factors in selecting public security features were a balance of new and proven features, and guiding principles:
Intuitive perception and ease of public authentication. It is important the ease of the public in understanding and being able to identify the uniqueness of the effect.
Public familiarity of features, leveraging existing public know-how and using modification and upgrades, rather than wholly new features.
Different underlying technologies across security features. The idea is that if one feature is counterfeited or effectively simulated, the other feature cannot be attacked by the same means, requiring significant additional effort to counterfeit the note.
Use of time-tested, fully evaluated security features to ensure that there were no problems either during production or during circulation.
Ability for customizing of security features. Every country would like to demonstrate their culture and incorporate it into the security features as its own!
Aesthetic appeal and overall design of the banknote or banknote series
The banknotes were designed by the National Bank. It displays a combination of highly detailed, secure, and aesthetically pleasing aspects, combined with sophisticated and effective security features.
The principal designs of the new series reflect the historical and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan and promote the unspoiled beauty of the Kyrgyz mountain peaks as well as Kyrgyz animals – those cleverly integrated via micro patterns into denomination numerals.
The portraits and main color themes have not been changed since 1994. NBKR maintained these so the public may continue to identify denominations intuitively by the familiar personalities of the portraits and dominant, respective colors.
Each element of the design including the design of public security features reflect the national patterns and symbols.
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Banknote Issuer’s Organization Name
National Bank of the Kyrgyz RepublicProject Description
On 10 May 2023, the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic celebrated the 30th Anniversary of the national currency by introducing the new series of banknotes.
Since 1993, the National Bank has issued five successive banknote issues, each of them providing valuable experience in security, public perception and usage, design and procurement. The new series is a demonstration of these lessons learned, capping the evolution of the national currency and the knowledge accumulated by the NBKR over thirty years.
A notable aspect of the new series is the coordination of its design implementation and production across two suppliers. Each supplier had to develop and manufacture original materials independently but identically based on the designs created internally by the National Bank. To achieve the highest consistency of banknotes, for aesthetic and security purposes, it was necessary to coordinate the work of all participants. An independent consultant was retained by the National Bank to ensure visual and technical continuity across the family of banknotes.
The total unification of appearance and technical aspects of the banknotes from origination through production and issuance by two printers simultaneously, while challenging, was achieved and delivered to the National Bank its dual objectives of a modern and secure family of banknotes and the highest integrity of its supply. This was achieved across seven denominations banknotes, i.e., a large and visually connected family of banknotes that leveraged the public’s familiarity of historic and cultural motifs and color schemes but with a totally new and fresh appearance.Project Team
National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, Crane Currency, Oberthur Fiduciaire, Koenig & Bauer Banknote SolutionsLegal Tender/Continuous Circulation/Face Value Confirmation
Innovation and Uniqueness of Security Features
The new series of banknotes use three new security features that the NBKR was very quickly able to assess soon after their commercial release. The new series utilizes a combination of overt, Level 1 public features both integrated and printed, and in size and number commensurate with banknote value.
For example, the RAPID® HD Detect micro-optic security thread was launched in early 2021and ’Arc-en-Ciel™ 2.0 (multicolor latent image) feature is the first reference for a new banknotes series with Arc-en-Ciel™ 2.0.
The banknotes are also equipped with SPARK Live® Truspin® and its latest modification of SPARK Flow® Dimension (also launched in 2021) on the highest denomination.
Additionally, the 50, 200 and 1000 Soms banknotes use Bioguard™ varnish treatment with dual biocidal protection offering anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties but also anti-viral protection.
These advanced security features met the goals of the NBKR’s technical and design needs for customization and integration.
Integration of historical or local content that is relevant to the country concerned
The series’ design reflect the historical and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan: the portraits – representatives of Kyrgyz national art and culture – on the front of the banknotes and notable sites of the republic on the reverse.
The terrain of Kyrgyzstan is dominated by mountain systems, which together occupy about 65% of the national territory. Kyrgyzstan has two mountain peaks exceeding 7,000 meters and 23 peaks exceeding 6,000 meters. The peculiarity of this landscape is reflected in the banknote design.
The images of the majestic mountains symbolize the independent spirit of the Kyrgyz people, striving for high achievements and successes.
Each denomination displays its own mountain corresponding to the region where the subject of the portrait hails. In addition, the micro-images show unique animals of Kyrgyzstan that belong to a specific region.
Effectiveness of the integration of security features into the banknote
Key factors in selecting public security features were a balance of new and proven features, and guiding principles:
Intuitive perception and ease of public authentication. It is important the ease of the public in understanding and being able to identify the uniqueness of the effect.
Public familiarity of features, leveraging existing public know-how and using modification and upgrades, rather than wholly new features.
Different underlying technologies across security features. The idea is that if one feature is counterfeited or effectively simulated, the other feature cannot be attacked by the same means, requiring significant additional effort to counterfeit the note.
Use of time-tested, fully evaluated security features to ensure that there were no problems either during production or during circulation.
Ability for customizing of security features. Every country would like to demonstrate their culture and incorporate it into the security features as its own!Aesthetic appeal and overall design of the banknote or banknote series
The banknotes were designed by the National Bank. It displays a combination of highly detailed, secure, and aesthetically pleasing aspects, combined with sophisticated and effective security features.
The principal designs of the new series reflect the historical and cultural heritage of Kyrgyzstan and promote the unspoiled beauty of the Kyrgyz mountain peaks as well as Kyrgyz animals – those cleverly integrated via micro patterns into denomination numerals.
The portraits and main color themes have not been changed since 1994. NBKR maintained these so the public may continue to identify denominations intuitively by the familiar personalities of the portraits and dominant, respective colors.
Each element of the design including the design of public security features reflect the national patterns and symbols.
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