The som (Kyrgyz: сом) is the currency of the Kyrgyz Republic.
KGS Coins
Circulation coins were first introduced in January 2008, making Kyrgyzstan second to last of the former Soviet republics to issue them. Belarus became the last. This move came with growing demand from vendors for coins, especially from slot machine industries and those desiring a more efficient system for collecting fare money.
The coins were issued in denominations of 10 and 50 tiyin and 1, 3 and 5 som. A 10 som coin was issued a year later for 2009.
All coins are minted by the Kazakhstan mint in Ust-Kamenogorsk and bear some resemblance to coins of the Russian Federation.
KGS Banknotes
On 10 May 1993, the government issued 1, 10 and 50 tyiyn notes and the Kyrgyzstan Bank issued notes for 1, 5 and 20 som. In 1994, the Kyrgyz Bank issued a second series of notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 som. A third series followed from 1997 onwards in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 som. A fourth series was issued in 2009 and 2010 in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 5000 som. Several commemorative banknotes intended for collectors were also issued.
Notes valued 1 and 10 tyiyin with serial numbers KT and ZT were issued in 1999. 50 tyiyins notes with serial numbers KT and ZT were issued in 2001. All others in 1993.
Notes of the first series were designed by Dmitry Lysogorov and A. P. Tsygank. They were printed by De La Rue in Great Britain.
Notes valued 1, 10 and 50 tyiyin stayed in use until coins were introduced in January 2008. Banknotes of 1, 5 and 20 som of the first series were gradually withdrawn from circulation and replaced with banknotes of the second series starting in 1994.
The second series of banknotes followed in 1994-1995 when “the banknotes of the stabilization period” were issued. These banknotes had a better counterfeit protection than the banknotes of the first series.
Starting in 1997, a new series of banknotes was introduced with similar themes, but enhanced design, compared to the previous series.
In January 2008 coins of 1 and 5 som and in December 2009 coins of 10 som where introduced. As a result, production of banknotes of these values ceased. The banknotes were however not removed from circulation, but are instead being phased out. In January 2008 the Kyrgyz National Bank estimated that within 2 years the 1 and 5 som banknotes would have almost completely disappeared from circulation.
In 2009 the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic issued a 5000 som note. Later new editions for 20, 50 and 100 som denominations followed. Among other things, these notes have enhanced security features compared to the previous series.
In October 2014 banknotes commemorating the 150th birthdate of Toktogul Satylganov and the 100th birthdate of Alykul Osmonov were issued for sale to collectors. Only 3000 of each were printed.
A commemorative 2000 som banknote in honor of the 25th anniversary of independence and the introduction of the som was issued in November 2017.