Georgia

Georgia new 10-lari note (B255) confirmed introduced 01.10.2019

According to a press release, the National Bank of Georgia planned to introduce a new 10-lari note on 1 October 2019, thereby completing the new family of notes begun in 2016.

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Georgia_NBG_10_lari_2019.00.00_B255a_PNL_AA_16538561_r

Courtesy of Albert Vokhmin.

Georgia new 5-lari note (B254) confirmed

According to a press release, on 1 September 2017 the National Bank of Georgia introduced a 5-lari note with "upgraded" security features, including UV, microprinting, latent images, windowed security threads, holographic stripes, iridescent stripes, security fibers, watermarks, and more.


Georgia_NBG_5_lari_2017.00.00_B254a_PNL_AA_18453224_fGeorgia_NBG_5_lari_2017.00.00_B254a_PNL_AA_18453224_r

Courtesy of Дмитрий Чохонелидзе, Claudio Marana, and Vadim Tislenko.



Georgia new 5-lari note (B254) unveiled for 01.09.2017 introduction


According to a press release dated 7 June 2017, the National Bank of Georgia has unveiled the design of a new 5-lari note with revised designs/colors/dimensions and enhanced security features that is slated for introduction on 1 September 2017.

Georgia_NBG_5_lari_2017.00.00_B254as_PNLs_AA_12345678_fGeorgia_NBG_5_lari_2017.00.00_B254as_PNLs_AA_12345678_r

Courtesy of Cleo Has.

Georgia new 100-lari note (B258) confirmed

Georgia_NBG_100_lari_2016.00.00_B258a_PNL_AA_16893181_f
Georgia_NBG_100_lari_2016.00.00_B258a_PNL_AA_16893181_r

Courtesy of Дмитрий Чохонелидзе.


Press release: The Banknote Register 2nd edition

The Banknote Register 2nd editionbr-photo2
The Banknote Register: CIS and Baltic Countries
1991-2016, General Issues
Second edition (English)

Author: Dmitry Zagorenko (IBNS #11608, General Secretary of the Russian Chapter of IBNS).
Editor: Dmitry Litvak (IBNS LM #204, President of the Russian Chapter of IBNS).
Format: A4. Weight: 1,5 Kg.
Hard cover with pressed gilding and book jacket band.
344 full-color pages (paper 115 g/m2).
16 Chapters (Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Moldova, Transnistria, Latvia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Estonia).
Edition: 1000 pieces.

The Banknote Register provides the most detailed information on all emissions of paper money in post-Soviet countries from 1991 to present. It describes the history of money circulation establishment and development in the new sovereign states. The book gives detailed information on each banknote, variations and types, commemorative and souvenir issues, security features, designers, signatories, serial prefixes, images portrayed on the notes. It will be no exaggeration to say that the author with the help of collectors and staff of national banks has compiled the best known up to now data, many of which will be published for the first time, and also data unknown to many collectors. This work has resulted in compilation and classification of the most complete information on currency circulation in the post-Soviet countries.

The publication of the Register will, for sure, reduce the number of blank spaces in the history of circulation in CIS and Baltic states. Nevertheless, the author continues searching for materials and communicating with paper money collectors, museum workers, designers and bank specialists and laymen. We hope that the Register of Banknotes of CIS and Baltic Countries will encourage you as well to study actively the currency circulation in the post-Soviet countries.

Promo-video: https://youtu.be/O33FxdonxS0
Official website: http://banknote-register.com

For a $7 discount off the list price of $62, use the coupon code "BanknoteBook" when ordering the book by email. Registered shipment to any country in the world is $22, so the total discounted cost is only US$77.

Georgia new 100-lari note (B258) to be issued 01.11.2016

According to a press release dated 23 September 2016, the National Bank of Georgia plans to introduce the following new 100-lari note on 1 November 2016.

Georgia_NBG_100_lari_2016.00.00_B258as_PNL_AA_12345678_fGeorgia_NBG_100_lari_2016.00.00_B258as_PNL_AA_12345678_r


Georgia's new 20- and 50-lari notes (B256 and B257) awarded Regional Banknote of the Year 2016

Georgia_NBG_20_lari_2016.00.00_B256a_PNL_AA_12933002_f
Georgia_NBG_20_lari_2016.00.00_B256a_PNL_AA_12933002_r

Georgia_NBG_50_lari_2016.00.00_B257a_PNL_AA_06857403_f
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The 20- and 50-lari banknotes issued by the National Bank of Georgia on 1 February 2016 were honored as the Regional Banknote of the Year 2016 at Reconnaissance International’s High Security Printing Europe.

Georgia new 20- and 50-lari notes (B256 and B257) confirmed

According to a press release, on 1 February 2016 the National Bank of Georgia introduced revised 20- and 50-lari notes. The revised 100-lari note previously unveiled has not yet been issued, but is still expected in 2016, along with upgraded 5- and 10-lari notes "later." Designed by Bacha Malazonia, the notes have revised designs/colors/dimensions and security features enhanced with assistance from De La Rue (England), Giesecke & Devrient (Germany), and Oberthur Fiduciare (France), although the bank has not disclosed which firm actually printed the notes.

Georgia_NBG_20_lari_2016.00.00_B256a_PNL_AA_12933002_f
Georgia_NBG_20_lari_2016.00.00_B256a_PNL_AA_12933002_r
B256 (PNL): 20 lari (US$12)
Magenta. Front: Denomination as registration device; magenta-to-green SPARK ornament; publishing house; magazine Sakartvelos Moambe and newspaper Iveria; personal belongings, including lens, watch, pen, and inkpot; publisher Ilia Chavchavadze. Back: Panorama of old Tbilisi featuring the Narikala fortress; equestrian monument to King Vakhtang Gorgasali; map of Tbilisi in the 18th century (prepared by Vakhushti Batonishvili); coat of arms. Iridescent stripe. Holographic stripe with Ilia Chavchavadze, 20, phaeton (horse-drawn carriage), and map of Georgia. Magenta-to-gold windowed security thread with demetalized 20 ლარი. Watermark: Ilia Chavchavadze with electrotype 20 and lari symbol. Printer: Unknown. 132 x 66 mm.
a. 2016. Signature 10. Prefix AA. Intro: 01.02.2016.

Georgia_NBG_50_lari_2016.00.00_B257a_PNL_AA_06857403_f
Georgia_NBG_50_lari_2016.00.00_B257a_PNL_AA_06857403_r
B257 (PNL): 50 lari (US$30)
Green. Front: Denomination as registration device; green-to-gold SPARK ornament; cave monastery in Vardzia; King Tamar; XIII-century bas-relief from Pitareti Virgin Mari Monastery. Back: Astrological sign of Sagittarius from a Georgian miniature manuscript of the XII century; coat of arms. Iridescent stripe. Holographic stripe with King Tamar, 50, lari symbol, griffin, and map of Georgia. Magenta-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized 50 ლარი. Watermark: King Tamar with electrotype 50 and lari symbol. Printer: Unknown. 137 x 68 mm.
a. 2016. Signature 10. Prefix AA. Intro: 01.02.2016.

Courtesy of Дмитрий Чохонелидзе.

Georgia new 20-, 50-, and 100-lari notes (B256 - B258) to be issued in Feb. 2016


According to a press release dated 3 November 2015, the National Bank of Georgia has unveiled designs of new 20-, 50-, and 100-lari banknotes to be introduced in February 2016. Designed by Bacha Malazonia, the notes have revised designs/colors/dimensions and security features enhanced with assistance from De La Rue (England), Giesecke & Devrient (Germany), and Oberthur Fiduciare (France), although the bank has not disclosed which firm actually printed the notes. The 5- and 10-lari notes will be upgraded “later.”

Georgia_NBG_20_lari_2016.00.00_B256as_PNL_AA_12345678_f
Georgia_NBG_20_lari_2016.00.00_B256as_PNL_AA_12345678_r
B256 (PNL): 20 lari (US$12)
Magenta. Front: Denomination as registration device; magenta-to-green SPARK ornament; publishing house; magazine Sakartvelos Moambe and newspaper Iveria; personal belongings, including lens, watch, pen, and inkpot; publisher Ilia Chavchavadze. Back: Panorama of old Tbilisi featuring the Narikala fortress; equestrian monument to King Vakhtang Gorgasali; map of Tbilisi in the 18th century (prepared by Vakhushti Batonishvili); coat of arms. Iridescent stripe. Holographic stripe with Ilia Chavchavadze, 20, phaeton (horse-drawn carriage), and map of Georgia. Magenta-to-gold windowed security thread with demetalized 20 ლარი. Watermark: Ilia Chavchavadze with electrotype 20 and lari symbol. Printer: Unknown. 132 x 66 mm.
a. 2016. Signature 10. Prefix AA. Expected new issue in 2016.

Georgia_NBG_50_lari_2016.00.00_B257as_PNL_AA_12345678_f
Georgia_NBG_50_lari_2016.00.00_B257as_PNL_AA_12345678_r
B257 (PNL): 50 lari (US$30)
Green. Front: Denomination as registration device; green-to-gold SPARK ornament; cave monastery in Vardzia; King Tamar; XIII-century bas-relief from Pitareti Virgin Mari Monastery. Back: Astrological sign of Sagittarius from a Georgian miniature manuscript of the XII century; coat of arms. Iridescent stripe. Holographic stripe with King Tamar, 50, lari symbol, griffin, and map of Georgia. Magenta-to-green windowed security thread with demetalized 50 ლარი. Watermark: King Tamar with electrotype 50 and lari symbol. Printer: Unknown. 137 x 68 mm.
a. 2016. Signature 10. Prefix AA. Expected new issue in 2016.

Georgia_NBG_100_lari_2016.00.00_B258as_PNL_AA_12345678_f
Georgia_NBG_100_lari_2016.00.00_B258as_PNL_AA_12345678_r
B258 (PNL): 100 lari (US$59)
Violet. Front: Denomination as registration device; magenta-to-green SPARK ornament; poet Shota Rustaveli; VII-century bas-relief of biblical story “Daniel in the Den of Lions” from Martvili Cathedral of Assumption of the Virgin Mary; poem “The Knight in the Tiger Skin.” Back: Gas lamp post; the Zakaria Paliashvili Tbilisi State Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet on Freedom Square in Tbilisi; coat of arms. Iridescent stripe. Holographic stripe with Shota Rustaveli, 100, lari symbol, flowers, and map of Georgia. Blue-to-red windowed security thread with demetalized 100 ლარი. Watermark: Shota Rustaveli with electrotype 100 and lari symbol. Printer: Unknown. 142 x 70 mm.
a. 2016. Signature 10. Prefix AA. Expected new issue in 2016.

Courtesy of Cleo Phas, Albert Vokhmin, and Malkhaz Shvelidze.

Georgia new sig/date (2014) 100-lari note confirmed

Georgia_NBG_100_lari_2014.00.00_B52d_P74_G_25000308_sig
100 lari, 2014. Like B52, but new date and new signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Nodar Khaduri).

Courtesy of Claudio Marana.

Georgia new sig/date (2013) 20-lari note confirmed

Georgia_NBG_20_lari_2013.00.00_B50d_P72_E_79692816_sig
20 lari, 2013. Like NBG B50d, but new date and new signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Aleksandre “Alexander” Khetaguri).

Courtesy of Dmitri Chokhonelidze (IBNS 10079).

Georgia new sig/date (2013) 50-lari note confirmed

Georgia_NBG_50_lari_2013.00.00_B51d_P73_F_33865060_sig
50 lari, 2013. Like NBG B51, but new date and new signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Aleksandre “Alexander” Khetaguri).

Courtesy of Dmitri Chokhonelidze (IBNS 10079).

Georgia new sig/date (2013) 5-lari note confirmed

Georgia_NBG_5_lari_2013.00.00_B48d_P70_CF_5548518_sig
5 lari, 2013. Like NBG B48, but new date and signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Aleksandre “Alexander” Khetaguri).

Courtesy of Dmitri Chokhonelidze.

South Ossetia asserts right to issue coins and notes

According to this 1 August 2013 post in Russian on South Ossetia's official gazette web site, the disputed republic in the South Caucasus has passed a law authorizing the issuance of new banknotes and coins denominated in Russian rubles.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Georgia new sig/date (2012) 100-lari note confirmed

Georgia_NBG_100_lari_2012.00.00_B52c_P74_G_19685221_sig
100 lari, 2012. Like NBG B52, but new date and signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Dmitri Gvindadze).

Courtesy of Dmitri Chokhonelidze.

Georgia new sig/date (2012) 10-lari note confirmed

10 lari (US$6.05), 2012. Like NBG B49 (P71), but new date and new signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Dmitri Gvinadze).

Courtesy of Дмитрий Чохонелидзе and Dmitry Zagorenko (http://bonistica.ru).

Georgia new sig/date (2011) 50-lari note confirmed

Georgia_NBG_50_L_2011.00.00_B51c_P73_F_22458457_sig
50 lari (US$30), 2011. Like NBG B51 (P73), but new date and signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Dmitri Gvindadze).

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Georgia new sig/date (2011) 5-lari note confirmed

Georgia_NBG_5_L_2011.00.00_B48c_P70_C_68961115_sig
5 lari (US$3), 2011. Like NBG B48 (P70), but new signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Dmitri Gvinadze) and date.

Courtesy of Дмитрий Чохонелидзе and Dmitry Zagorenko (http://bonistica.ru).

Georgia chapter of The Banknote Book is now available


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

This 19-page catalog covers notes issued by the Republic of Georgia from 1919 to 1921, and the National Bank of Georgia from 1993 to present. Revised 29 July 2016.

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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Georgia new sig/date (2011) 20-lari note confirmed


20 lari (US$12.10), 2011. Like P72, but new date and signatures (Giorgi Kadagidze and Kakha Baindurashvili). Intro: 06.06.2011.

Georgia 500-lari note information sought



While working on the Georgian chapter of The Banknote Book catalog, the authenticity of the above pictured 500-lari note dated 1995 came into question. The SCWPM lists this as Pick 60, without image, and indicates the note was unissued. The National Bank of Georgia makes no mention of this note on its site, although this denomination is listed in the annual report of 1998, which shows zero such notes in circulation, so it appears the denomination was anticipated but unissued for some reason. I’ve also been told that the note may have been issued for intrabank transactions only.

UPDATE: The National Bank of Georgia has confirmed that the 500-lari banknote was never in circulation nor sold for numismatics and that it is used only for souvenir purposes.

Georgia new date (2008) 100-lari note confirmed


100 lari (US$60). Like Pick 74, but new date (2008) and new signatures.

Courtesy of Peter Kelly.

Georgia 2002 10-lari error note confirmed


The 10-lari note dated 2002 (Pick 71) has been discovered to have an error in the spelling of the denomination on the back. Specifically, it was incorrectly spelled “Fen Lari” (middle image) instead of “Ten Lari” (bottom image). This mistake was corrected in later printings also dated 2002.

Courtesy of Vadim Tislenko and Thomas Augustsson.

Georgia new date (2008) 20-lari note confirmed


Like P72, but new date (2008) and new signatures.

Courtesy of Dmitriy Litvak.

Georgia new date (2008) 5-lari note confirmed


5 lari (US$3), 2008. Like P70, but new date and new signatures. 115 x 61 mm.

Courtesy of Krassimir Dimitrov.

Georgia issues revised 10- and 50-lari notes dated 2008




On 9 December 2008, the National Bank of Georgia introduced 10- and 50-lari notes dated 2008. The notes are similar to earlier issues of the same denominations, but have enhanced security features. The new 10-lari note has two relief inscriptions of the nominal value 10 imprinted above the oak-leaf on the front. Also, the numeral 10 is printed with OVI for a color-changing optical effect when the banknote is tilted.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson and Dmitriy Litvak.

Georgia new date (2007) 1- and 10-lari notes confirmed


1 lari (US$0.60), 2007. Like P68, but new date and new signatures.


10 lari (US$6.25), 2007. Like P71, but new date and new signatures.

Courtesy of Thomas Augustsson.

Georgia new 200-lari note confirmed


Yellow. Front: Partisan Kaikhosro (Kakutsa) Cholokashvili; fragments of relief images of Georgian cultural artifacts. Back: Sokhumi, capital of breakaway region of Abkhaz; relief fragments of the iconostasis found in the Tsebelda village of Gulribshi region. Holographic stripe. Windowed security thread with demetalized 200. Watermark: Kaikhosro Cholokashvili with electrotype 200 GEL. Printer: (G&D). 146 x 72 mm. 2006. Signature 4. Intro: 15.04.2007.

This is the first regular issue note to use LOOK (Laser Originated Optical Key), a security feature that creates laser-induced effects in the substrate, print color, foil, and varnish.

Courtesy of Olexandr Danishenko and Cleophas Elmakias Schockemohle.