Georgia
Georgia banknotes follow a structured lari system, where each denomination pairs a national figure with art, literature, or architecture from the Caucasus region.
No linked banknotes found for this country yet.
Design & Visual Identity
The lari series is built on clearly identifiable cultural anchors. The 1 lari note features Niko Pirosmani alongside his “Deer” composition, establishing a direct link between currency and national art. The 5 lari connects Ivane Javakhishvili to Tbilisi State University, grounding the series in academic history, while the 20 lari presents Ilia Chavchavadze, tied to the literary and political foundations of modern Georgia.
Higher denominations extend this structure into medieval heritage and monumental architecture. The 50 lari is dedicated to Queen Tamar, paired with the rock-hewn city of Vardzia and Gelati Monastery, representing the Georgian Golden Age. The 100 lari features Shota Rustaveli with references to “The Knight in the Panther’s Skin” and the Tbilisi Opera and Ballet Theatre. Religious landmarks such as Svetitskhoveli Cathedral reinforce the country’s Christian identity, while traditional ornaments and the Borjgali solar symbol provide a continuous design layer across the series.
Historical & Cultural Context
The transition from the provisional Kuponi to the lari established a stable national currency after independence, replacing temporary symbolic designs with a fixed system of historical figures and monuments. This shift created a consistent pairing logic between portrait and context that defines all modern Georgian banknotes.
Subsequent issues preserved this structure, maintaining continuity in both subject matter and composition, resulting in a cohesive and recognizable national series.
For Collectors
For collectors, Georgia offers a clearly structured and culturally rich collecting field centered on the Pirosmani 1 lari “Deer” note, Queen Tamar 50 lari with Vardzia and Gelati, and the Rustaveli 100 lari with literary motifs. The presence of the Borjgali symbol and early Kuponi griffin issues adds transitional depth, creating a defined progression from post-Soviet emergence to a mature national currency system.
Quick Facts
Currency: Georgian Lari
Issuer: National Bank of Georgia