Bhutan

Bhutan new sig/date (2016) 1,000-ngultrum note (B223b) confirmed

Bhutan_RMA_1000_ngultrum_2016.00.00_B223b_P34b_R_15970442_fBhutan_RMA_1000_ngultrum_2016.00.00_B223b_P34b_R_15970442_r
B223b: Like B223a, but new date (2016), new signature, and 4-mm wide Rolling Star windowed security thread with demetalized RMA 1000. Prefix R.

Courtesy of Wally Myers.

Bhutan new 100-ngultrum commemorative note (BNP202) confirmed

According to a press release, these banknotes commemorate the first anniversary of the birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck. 1,000,000 notes were printed and sold in folders.

Bhutan_RMA_100_ngultrum_2016.02.05_B225a_PNL_RB_05022016_fBhutan_RMA_100_ngultrum_2016.02.05_B225a_PNL_RB_05022016_r
BNP202 (PNL): 100 ngultrum (US$1.50)
Yellow, gold, blue, and red. Front: King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema; Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck. Back: Mountains; dragon. Solid security thread. Watermark: Jigme Singye Wangchuck with electrotype swirl. Printer: (Orell Fussli). 146 x 70 mm.
a. 05.02.2016. Signature 7. Prefix RB (royal birth). Intro: 05.02.2018.

Courtesy of Gylfi Snorrason and Ajay Rawat.

Bhutan new 1,000-ngultrum commemorative (B224) note reportedly introduced 21.09.2016

The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan issued a 1,000-ngultrum banknote to commemorate the birth of His Royal Highness The Gyalsey, Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck, which took place on 5 February 2016. 3,420,000 notes were printed and released into circulation beginning 21 September 2016.

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Bhutan_RMA_1000_ngultrum_2016.00.00_B224a_PNL_W_03400839_r

Courtesy of Dennis Zammit and Phub Dorji ().


Bhutan new date (2015) 5-ngultrum note (B217c) confirmed

Bhutan_RMA_5_ngultrum_2015.00.00_B217c_P28_J_22723400_f
Bhutan_RMA_5_ngultrum_2015.00.00_B217c_P28_J_22723400_r
B217c: Like B217b, but new date (2015).

Courtesy of Peter Mosselberger (http://www.banknote.ws).

Bhutan new date (2015) 100-ngultrum note (B221c) confirmed

B221c: Like B221b, but new date (2015). Prefix N.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Bhutan new 1- and 10-ngultrum notes printed on Hybrid substrate

According to a Giesecke & Devrient press release, the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan switched the printer and substrate for its 1- and 10-ngultrum notes dated 2013. These notes (RMA B16b and B18b, respectively) are now printed by G&D, not TDLR, and are printed on Hybrid, not paper, substrate.

Courtesy of Thomas Krause (Polymernotes of the World).

Bhutan new sig/date (2013) 50-gnultrum note confirmed

Bhutan_RMA_50_ngultrum_2013.00.00_B20b_P31_M_03246088_sig
50 ngultrum, 2013. Like RMA B20a, but new date and siganture (Dasho Daw Tenzin).

Courtesy of Gylfi Snorrason.

Bhutan new sig/date (2013) 1-ngultrum note confirmed

Bhutan_RMA_1_ngultrum_2013.00.00_B16b_P27_I_00116453_f
1 ngultrum, 2013. Like RMA B16 (P27), but new date and new signature (Dasho Daw Tenzin).

Note now printed by G&D, not TDLR, and on Hybrid, not paper substrate.

Courtesy of Sejin Ahn and David Jones.

Bhutan new sig/date (2013) 20-ngultrum note confirmed

Bhutan_RMA_20_ngultrum_2013.00.00_B19b_P30_L_06119398_sig
20 ngultrum, 2013. Like RMA B19 (P30), but new date and new signature (Dasho Daw Tenzin).

Note now printed by G&D, not TDLR, and on Hybrid, not paper substrate.

Courtesy of Bartek Gosztyla.

Bhutan new sig/date (2013) 10-ngultrum note confirmed

Bhutan_RMA_10_ngultrum_2013.00.00_B18b_P29_K_08034401_sig
10 ngultrum, 2013. Like RMA B18 (P29), but new date and new signature (Dasho Daw Tenzin).

Courtesy of Gylfi Snorrason.

Bhutan new 100-ngultrum commemorative confirmed



The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan has issued a 100-ngultrum (US$2.05) banknote to commemorate the 13 October 2011 royal wedding of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema. According to this BBS article dated 12 October 2011, the notes (and 500-ngultrum coins) are available in Bank of Bhutan, Bhutan Development Bank Limited, and in the BOB counter at the Paro Airport from 13 October until 4 November at a cost of 500 ngultrum and 5,000 ngultrum, respectively.

RMA BNP1 (PNL): 100 ngultrum
Orange, brown, and red. Front: Mythical angel carrying the Raven Crown; national emblem; royal wedding logo consisting of khorlo (wheel) signifying royalty, circles with dhar (ceremonial scarf) signifying eternal union of thap (method) and sherab (wisdom), and the dham tshig tsangma and lotus, symbolizing purity of union; King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema. Back: Dragons; Punakha Dzong (aka Pungtang Dechen Photrang Dzong, meaning “the palace of great happiness or bliss”). Solid security thread with demetalized ROYAL WEDDING. Watermark: Unknown. Printer: Unknown. 145 x 70 mm. 2011. Signature 6. Intro: 13.10.2011.

Courtesy of Sing Chai Tan, Marian Meyer, Christoph Thomas, and Thomas Krause.

Bhutan revised 5-, 100-, and 500-ngultrum notes confirmed





The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan has issued revised banknotes denominated in 5, 100, and 500 ngultrum. The notes are dated 2011, and carry a new signature (Dasho Daw Tenzin) and title of GOVERNOR. as well as improved PEAK (printed embossed anticopy key) security elements (see area above date in detail image).

Courtesy of Rui Palhares.

Bhutan chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


The Bhutan chapter of The Banknote Book is now available for individual sale and as a free download to subscribers.

This 14-page catalog covers notes issued by the Royal Government of Bhutan from 1974 to 1978, and the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan from 1985 to present. Revised 15.11.2018.

Each chapter of The Banknote Book includes detailed descriptions and background information, full-color images, and accurate valuations. The Banknote Book also features:
  • Sharp color images of note’s front and back without overlap
  • Face value or date of demonetization if no longer legal tender
  • Specific identification of all vignette elements
  • Security features described in full
  • Printer imprint reproduced exactly as on note
  • Each date/signature variety assigned an individual letter
  • Variety checkboxes for tracking your collection and want list
  • Red stars highlight the many notes missing from the SCWPM
  • Date reproduced exactly as on note
  • Precise date of introduction noted when known
  • Replacement note information
  • Signature tables, often with names and terms of service
  • Background information for historical and cultural context
  • Details magnified to distinguish between note varieties
  • Bibliographic sources listed for further research

Subscribe to The Banknote Book
If you collect the entire world or a large number of countries, buying a subscription is the best deal because it's less expensive than buying chapters individually, and it entitles you to every chapter currently available as well as everything published—or revised (click here to see the Change Log)—during the term of your subscription.

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Banknotes of Bhutan catalog published


Anil R. Bohora and Gylfi K. Snorrason have just published a new catalog called Banknotes of Bhutan (ISBN 978-81-7525-881-5). This 137-page softcover book is beautifully illustrated in full color throughout, with large front and back images of all notes, and details of vignettes that are thoroughly explained. The book contains everything there is to know about the kings, monuments, and auspicious symbols that appear on Bhutanese notes, as well as the signatories, watermarks, and printers.

I highly recommend Banknotes of Bhutan to anyone interested in this Asian country’s numismatic history. The book costs US$25 + $6 S&H and can be purchased by emailing enterandbuy@yahoo.com.

Bhutan issues new 50- and 1,000-ngultrum notes



50 ngultrum (US$1.15)
Pink, orange, and green. Front: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Back: Trongsa Dzong. Solid security thread. Watermark: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Printer: (TDLR). 145 x 70 mm. Introduced 06.11.2008.


1,000 ngultrum (US$23.20)
Yellow, gold, and red. Front: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck with Raven Crown. Back: Tashichho Dzong, the seat of Parliament in the capital of Thimphu. Windowed security thread with demetalized RMA 1000. Watermark: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. Printer: (G&D). 165 x 70 mm. Introduced 06.11.2008.
Courtesy of Phub Dorji.



Bhutan issues new family of notes dated 2006

On November 20, 2006, The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan released its new “Series 2006” of redesigned notes.

The notes are printed by De La Rue in the UK on cotton paper. There is  intaglio microlettering in the line running horizontally parallel to the name of the issuing authority on the front of the note in Dzongkha and in English on the back.

The new series also has high relief marks to help blind people feel and recognize different denominations, and they feature a double coating of varnish to improve durability and prevent soiling and counterfeiting.


P27: 1 ngultrum (US$0.02), 2006. Issued November 20, 2006. Blue, red, and green. Front: Dragons. Back: Simtokha Dzong. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (TDLR). 120 x 60 mm.


P28: 5 ngultrum (US$0.11), 2006. Issued November 20, 2006. Yellow, brown, and red. Front: Birds and embossed cloverleaf. Back: Taktsang. Solid security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (TDLR). 125 x 60 mm.


P30: 20 ngultrum (US$0.45), 2006. Issued November 20, 2006. Yellow and green. Front: Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Back: Punakha Dzong. Solid security thread. Watermark: Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Printer: (TDLR). 130 x 65 mm.


P33: 500 ngultrum ($11.35), 2006. Issued November 20, 2006. Pink, orange, and green. Front: King Ugyen Wangchuck with Raven Crown. Back: Punakha Dzong. Windowed security thread with demetalized RMA 100. Watermark: King Jigme Singye Wangchuk. Printer: (TDLR). 155 x 70 mm.

Courtesy of Phub Dorji and Gylfi Snorrason.

Bhutan issues new 10- and 100-ngultrum notes dated 2006

On November 20, 2006, The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan released the first of its new “Series 2006” of redesigned notes. These two new denominations add to the series.

The notes are printed by De La Rue in the UK on cotton paper. There is  intaglio microlettering in the line running horizontally parallel to the name of the issuing authority on the front of the note in Dzongkha and in English on the back.

The new series also has high relief marks to help blind people feel and recognize different denominations, and they feature a double coating of varnish to improve durability and prevent soiling and counterfeiting.


10 ngultrum (US$0.25), 2006. Issued 2007. Front: Jigme Singye Wangchuck; Dungkar (conch), one of eight good luck symbols. Back: Paro Rinpung Dzong. Solid security thread. Watermark: Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Printer: (TDLR). 125 x 65 mm.


100 ngultrum (US$2.45), 2006. Issued 2007. Green. Front: Jigme Singye Wangchuck; Norbu Rimpochhe, one of seven auspicious gems. Back: Tashichho Dzong, dragons in upper corners. Windowed security thread with demetalized RMA 100. Watermark: Jigme Singye Wangchuck. Printer: (TDLR). 145 x 70 mm.

Courtesy of Phub Dorji and Gylfi Snorrason.