500 Som
Kyrgyzstan · National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
The purple 500 som note (dated 2023, circulated from 10 May 2023) honours Sayakbay Karalaev (1894-1971), the greatest manaschi — oral reciter of the Kyrgyz national epic 'Manas' — whose portrait graces the obverse. The reverse features the Manas Ordo mausoleum complex in Talas, the spiritual epicentre of the Manas tradition, alongside stylised illustrations drawn from Karalaev's celebrated narration of the epic. The note measures 144 x 68 mm and was part of the first phase of the fifth series released in May 2023.
Highlights
ReasonPart of the first phase of the fifth series modernisation, celebrating Kyrgyzstan's greatest oral literary tradition.
DesignPortrait of manaschi Sayakbay Karalaev on obverse; Manas Ordo mausoleum with Manas epic motifs on reverse.
Security featuresWindowed security thread; Sayakbay Karalaev watermark with electrotype 500; Bioguard anti-bacterial and anti-viral varnish treatment.
Sources