...South Ossetia (Georgia) - 100 Zarin Investment Banknote 2025

Republic of South Ossetia

(State of Alania - disputed territory)

 

The National Bank of South Ossetia

Currency - Zarin 

This is a commemorative note of 100 zarin, reportedly issued on 19.09.2025. The note was issued to celebrate the First International Economic Forum (not confirmed).

In case you wonder, South Ossetia is a disputed territory which is internationally recognised as part of Georgia. South Ossetia is located in the central north of Georgia and has a population of approximately 57,000+/-. On 01.08.2008, hostility started when a bomb exploded and targeted a car carrying Georgian peacekeepers. Fighting then broke out between the Georgian army and the people of South Ossetia (South Ossetian separatists) backed by the Russian army. The Russians blamed the incident on the Georgian government and launched a large-scale land, air and sea invasion of Georgia. A ceasefire agreement was reached on 12.08.2008 and Russia announced the withdrawal of troops on 17.08.2008. On 26.08.2008, Russia recognised both South Ossetia and Abkhazia as separate independent states. In response, the Georgian government severed diplomatic relations with Russia. Since the hostility started, Georgia has maintained that both South Ossetia and Abkhazia are Russian-occupied Georgian territories.

As at 2024, only five members of the United Nations recognise South Ossetia as a sovereign state and they are Russia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Syria and Venezuela.

It is reportedly that a total of 20,000 pieces were printed. According to the authority, there are more banknotes for other denominations to come at a later date.

Like those issued by Abkhazia, this note is also an Investment commemorative note. To be honest, I have no idea what this means. 

One Hundred Zarin 

Front - Persian leopard. Mount Burkhokh is printed in the background. This mountain is situated in South Ossetia, and it is also known as Mount Khalatsa or Mount Halaskhokh. 

Signature - Soslan Bekoev (?)

Date - 2025

Watermark - Face of Persian leopard

Sizes - 157.5mm x 69mm

Back - A portrait of Kosta Levanovich Khetagurov (Poet b.1859-1906). An image of the village of Nar where Khetagurov was born. To the bottom left is an Ossetian twelve stringed harp. The Coat of Arms is printed to the far right of the note. 

 

...Kazakhstan - 1000 Tenge 2025 Commemorative 80th Anniversary of End of World War II

Қазақстан Республикасы

(Republic of Kazakhstan)

 

Қазақстан Ұлттық Банкі

(National Bank of Kazakhstan, Est.1993)

Currency - Tenge (KZT)

 

Here is the 1000 tenge commemorative note reportedly released on 09.05.2025, celebrating the 80th Anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War (Second World War). A total of five million pieces were issued for this commemorative series. The design for this series is completely new. This is a legal tender note in the territory of Kazakhstan. This is the 12th commemorative banknotes issued by Kazakhstan since 1993.

 

It should be noted that during the last world war, Nazi Germany did not physically occupy today's Kazakhstan. However, as Kazakhstan was then part of the Russian Empire/Soviet Union since 1840, it became involved in the war after the Germans invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. In total, more than 130,000 Kazakhs died in the war from military involvements, famines and diseases. Also as a result of the Germans invasion, many ethnic Germans from the Volga region in Russia were deported to labour camps and settlements within Kazakhstan during the war.  

 

The date May 9, in Russia is called Den's Pobedy or Victory Day (День Победы). Whilst Nazi Germany surrendered on 08.05.1945, and due to the time difference between Russia and Germany, the signing of the surrender documents took effect for the Soviet forces on 09.05.1945 and as such this day is celebrated.  

 

A few countries celebrated the 80th Anniversary of the end of World War II, countries like the United Kingdom, United States, China, France and other European nations but only Kazakhstan and the disputed territory of Transnistria have issued banknotes to commemorate this celebration.

 

 

One Thousand Tenge

Front - On the front, it depicts The Glory Memorial in Almaty, which is located in the park named after 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, a tribute to the heroes who gave their lives for their homeland. Almost 1.2 million people from Kazakhstan were mobilised for the war, which represented almost 20% of the population then. These 1.2 million people were involved in the infantry, tank units, aviation and navy. To the left, four flying cranes with another four cranes in silhouettes personify goodness and hope. Below the flying cranes is the eternal flame.

 

Signature - Timur Suleymanov (Governor)

Date - 2025

Quantity - 5 million pieces 

Watermarks - the numeral 80 and years 1941-1945

Size - 130.5mm x 70mm 

Back - An outline map of Kazakhstan printed with fragments of historical archival photographs provided by RSE 'Central State Archive of Film, Photo Documents and Sound Recordings' of the Committee of Archieve's Documentation and Book Affairs of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan (a bit of a mouth full here). To the far right is a war medal and below the medal is the commemorative logo for this series.

...Bhutan - 50 Ngultrum Series 2021

འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ

Kingdom of Bhutan

 

Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, Est.1982

Currency - Ngultrum (BTN)

 

Like most central banks around the world, standard banknotes are not always printed or reprinted in a full set and I believe this is the only odd note issued in 2021. This is the third issue since this 50 ngultrum note was first introduced in 2008.

 

Fifty Ngultrum 

 

Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

 

Front - Portrait of 5th King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck (b.1980). He accended to the throne following his father's abdication on 09.12.2006. In the center is The Khorlo, Wheel of Dhama. The Wheel of Dharma is an ancient symbol used in Dharmic religions, most preeminently in Buddhism, representing the Buddha's teachings and the path to enlightenment.

 

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-) 

Series - 2021

Watermark - Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck

Dimensions - 147mm x 71mm

 

Back - The image of Trongsa Dzong in the center. Trongsa Dzong is the largest fortress in Bhutan and is located in the center of the country in Trongsa district. The Trongsa Dzong was the historical seat of power for the Wangchuck dynasty and it continues to hold administrative and monastic functions in Bhutan.

Trongsa Dzong

...Yemen - 200 Rials 2025 Series Houthi Group Issue

Republic of Yemen

Central Bank of Yemen

Currency - Rial (YER)

This is a 200 rials note reportedly issued on 16.07.2025 by the Houthi group which currently occupied a large part of the land, mainly situated in the western side of Yemen bordering the Red sea.

In the modern history of Yemen, the country was once split into two, called Yemen Arab Republic (north-west part of Yemen), and South Yemen with their capital as Aden. On 22.05.1990, these two countries merged into one and called itself the Republic of Yemen. Civil war broke out in September 2014, where the Houthi group seized control of the city of Sana'a and a large part of western Yemen. The rest of the country is occupied by the President Leadership Council (PLC), which is also called The Cabinet of Yemen or Yemeni Government. To the western world, the PLC is the legit government and the Houthi group is not.

Since the Houthi group occupied a large part of western Yemen, this is the first time a banknote has been issued under the banner of the Central Bank of Yemen. It should be noted that the Central Bank of Yemen is the central bank of Yemen and it's head office is based in the capital city, Aden, not occupied by the Houthi group. Obviously, this 200 rials is not recognised by the PLC government and deem it as illegal for anyone processing this note.  

Front - The image of the Al-janad Mosque in Taiz. This mosque was built in the 7th century. It should be noted that the city of Taiz is not under the control of the Houthi group. There is a security feature added to this note and I do not believe I have seen this before. If you hold up the note against the light, between the mosque and the watermark area (where the vertical red line is), you can see the Arabic numeral of ٢٠٠ (200) featuring vertically. This feature is created in the form of tiny pinholes like (perforated). It appears that these tiny see-through pinholes can only be viewed if the note is held up against a strong light. I only noticed this feature when I was checking out the watermark of this note.

Signature - Hashem Ismail Ali Ahmad Al-Madani

Watermark - Coat of Arms

Sizes - 156mm x 76mm

Back - An aerial view of the Al Ma'alla port in Aden with cargo ships docking at the port. It is strange that both the main images depicted on the note both front and back are not controlled by the Houthi group. Is this done on purpose?

...Sri Lanka - 2000 Rupees Central Bank 75th Year Commemorative

ශ්‍රීලංකා ප්‍රජාතාන්ත්‍රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජය

Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

 

Central Bank of Sri Lanka (Est.1950)

Currency - Rupee (LKR)

 

This is a 2,000 rupee issued on 29.08.2025, celebrating the 75th year of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The central bank was established on 28.08.2025, with its head office situated at Colombo, the largest city in Sri Lanka. This commemorative note is printed on paper material.

 

Back in 2020, the then Bank Governor Deshamanya Weligamage Don Lakshman (tenure December 2019 - September 2021) announced that it will introduce a new 2,000 rupees to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Central Bank. As we all know now, this did not happen. It is not sure why this was delayed until now. Just for the record, this 2,000 rupees is worth less than US$7. 

 

Two Thousand Rupees

Front - The image of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka located in Colombo. Within a short walking distance is the Lighthouse Clock tower which is located at the roundabout or the junction of Chatham Street and Janadhipathib Mawatha. This clock tower was built in 1857 as a lighthouse and is now a landmark in the heart of the official district in Colombo. To the bottom left is the city skyline silhouette of Colombo city. The commemorative 75 Years (Stability for Prosperity) logo is printed on the bottom far left corner.

 

Governor - Dr Nandalai Weerasinghe (since April 2022)

Date - 2025-08-28 

Watermark - Coat of Arms

Sizes - 159mm x 67mm

 

Back - A stylised map of Sri Lanka printed with circular shapes on all over the map. The national flower of Sri Lanka, a blue water lily is printed on top of the map. This aquatic flower is also known locally as Nil Manel. The water lily is a symbol of purity, serenity, and has significant cultural and spiritual importance to the people of Sri Lanka. The water lily was adopted as the national flower on 26.02.1986.  On top is printed with the 75 Years commemorative logo.