Kyrgyzstani Som Banknotes (KGS)

The Kyrgyzstani som is a sovereign Central Asian currency established in 1993, recognised for its design excellence and its early departure from the ruble.

Quick Facts

Country: Kyrgyzstan

Code: KGS

Symbol: сом

System: Decimal (1 Som = 100 Tyiyn)

Status: In circulation

Issuer: National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic

The Story of the Kyrgyzstani Som

Introduced as one of the first independent currencies in Central Asia, the som has evolved through several series focused on national stability. A major milestone was the 5000 som note winning the IBNS “Banknote of the Year” award, establishing Kyrgyzstan as a leader in regional banknote design. The currency transitioned from emergency post-Soviet production to high-security global standards produced by Oberthur and De La Rue.

Design & Symbolism

The visual identity is anchored in the “Epic of Manas” and cultural icons like Chingiz Aitmatov. Traditional shyrdak felt patterns and alpine landscapes form the security background. Notable are the 1993 tyiyn notes—small, square-format fractional banknotes that remain among the most distinctive and unusual small-value issues in world numismatics.

For collectors

For collectors, the som offers a field of “refined Central Asian rarity.” The award-winning 5000 som is a cornerstone of the region, while the early tyiyn notes provide niche depth. Pristine UNC examples from the 1990s series are increasingly scarce due to the rugged geography and intensive circulation, making well-preserved sets highly desirable for thematic and regional collections.

The Kyrgyzstani som remains in circulation as the national currency of Kyrgyzstan, defined by its award-winning banknote series.