25 Apsar

The National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia issued the 25 Apsar commemorative banknote on May 22, 2023, in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia (1992-1993). This historic conflict resulted in de facto Abkhazian independence from Georgia and remains central to national identity. The banknote measures 150 mm x 65 mm and was executed on white cotton paper with a limited mintage of 15,000 pieces not distributed for general circulation, maintaining its collector status.

The obverse side displays the Abkhazian coat of arms, a traditional sailing ship representing maritime heritage, ornamental border designs, a hawk in flight symbolizing national pride and freedom, stars representing the night sky, and a detailed hawk head in profile. The reverse depicts two standing soldiers in military uniform holding swords and a rifle, commemorating the combatants of the 1992-1993 conflict, alongside matching stars and traditional ornamental patterns. A QR code in the lower right of the reverse provides a link to the National Bank website with detailed security feature descriptions.

Abkhazia is a disputed territory on the eastern coast of the Black Sea with a population of approximately 240,000. The Patriotic War, which resulted in the expulsion of Georgian forces, is the defining event of modern Abkhazian statehood. This commemorative banknote employs distinctive orange, yellow, and green coloration and represents the banking institution's use of currency as a vehicle for national commemoration.