asia

...Syria - 100 and 5000 Pounds Both Dated 2019

ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ

(Syrian Arab Republic)

مصرف سورية المركزي

(Central Bank of Syria)

Currency - Pound (SYP)

These are the only two notes printed with the year date 2019. The 100 pounds was first introduced in 2009, whilst for the 5000 pounds, this is the first issue with this denomination. Since then, the 5000 pounds have been reprinted with the year date of 2019, 2021 and 2023. The 5000 pounds is the largest denomination issued in the modern history of Syrian banknotes.

For the 5000 pounds, the colour printed on this note looks a bit dull both on the front and the back.

One Hundred Pounds

Basalt stone gate and amphitheater in Bosra

Front - Basalt stone gate and amphitheater in Bosra.

Signatures :-

Minister of Finance - Dr. Maamoun Hamdan (tenure 2016-2020)

Governor - Hazem Younes Karfoul (tenure 2018-2021)

Watermarks - Head of a horse and electrotype 100

Dimensions -141.5mm x 65.5mm

Back - Central Bank of Syria building in Damascus and to the left is the dome of Omayyad mosque in Damascus. An ancient coin is printed to the center right of the note.

Central Bank of Syria building

Five Thousand Pounds

A soldier saluting the flag of Syria

Front - A soldier facing right saluting a billowing Syrian flag. The soldier looks more like a statue, rather than an image of an actual person

Signatures :-

Minister of Finance - Dr. Maamoun Hamdan (tenure 2016-2020)

Governor - Hazem Younes Karfoul (tenure 2018-2021)

Watermarks - Coat of Arms and electrotype 5000

Dimensions - 159mm x 60.5mm

Back - Fresco from the Baalshemin Temple in the ancient city of Palmyra. The images are an eagle and the Sun God Yarhibol. They both look more like stone sculptures to me. To the center-right is a span out of a bird's wing.

Eagle, Sun God (Yarhibol) of the Baalshamin temple

...Maldives - 10 and 100 Rufiyaa Dated 10 March 2018

The Republic of Maldives

Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA Est'd. 1981)

Currency - Rufiyaa (MVR)

In 2015, MMA released a full set of banknotes all printed in polymer substrate material. Posted here are the two notes of 10 and 100 rufiyaa all printed with the year date of 2018. These are the only two notes issued with the year date. No change to the designs, except for the new date.

Ten Rufiyaa

Front - A man climbing up a coconut tree, presumably coconut harvesting. The coconut tree is the national tree in the Maldives. In the center are a group of men and women playing musical drums.

Governor - Ahmed Naseer (tenure 2017-2019)

Date - 10 March 2018

Watermark - MMA, 10 and Coat of Arms

Sizes - 150mm x 70mm

Back - Local drum, a traditional Maldivian boduberu drum.

One Hundred Rufiyaa

Front - A group of women in traditional dress in the center. To the right is a seated woman in traditional dress (Libaas) working on the neckline (Hiru)

Governor - Ahmed Naseer (tenure 2017-2019)

Date - 10 March 2018

Watermark - MMA, 100 and Coat of Arms

Sizes - 150mm x 70mm

Back - A set of vertical compositions that incorporates old Dhivehi scripture and early Maldivian text.

...Bhutan - 100, 500 and 1000 Ngultrum Polymer Series 2025 Commemorative

འབྲུག་རྒྱལ་ཁབ

Kingdom of Bhutan

Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (Est.1982)

Currency - Ngultrum (BTN)

Here are the three commemorative notes of 100, 500 and 1000 ngultrum all released on 02.01.2026. These three notes are all printed in polymer substrates and were issued to celebrate the 70th birthday of the formal King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, who was the King of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born on 11th November 1955, and abdicated in 2006 in favour of his son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

Like many Asian countries, many central banks have issued polymer banknotes due to it's durability and being able to be recycled once they are no longer deemed fit for circulation. However, most of the countries issue polymer notes with either the lower denominations, or those that are the most circulated denominations. In the Bhutan case, the central bank has issued them with the three highest denominations. Bhutan is the 19th nation in the Asian region to issue polymer banknotes.

The design for the notes depict a portrait of a Bhutanese monarch (past or present) and on the back with the image of a Dzong or a fortress monastery that serves as both the religious and administrative center for a district.

These notes are printed by De La Rue on Safeguard polymer materials.

Circular transparent window with the image of the current monarch, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

I am not sure who the signature belongs to that is printed on these three polymer notes. These three notes were issued in early 2026 and all notes are dated 2025. The previous bank governor was Dasho Penjore and he was replaced by Dasho Yangchen Tshogye (she/her) on 01.12.2025 (appointed on 25.11.2025). I can see the signature on these polymer notes are not the same as those previously signed by Dasho Penjore, however, I cannot be sure these polymer notes signature belong to Dasho Yangchen Tshogye, given the time she was appointed and the release of these notes were just over a month. Most printing of banknotes is well planned in advance. I can see previous notes were signed with western style (English alphabet), whilst these three polymer notes are signed in Bhutanese (I think). The signature on these notes could belong to the previous governor, Dasho Penjore as he may have two signatures. The appointment of the governor is for 5 years. Any future issues should confirm this.

****This is one expensive set to purchase, just because it is printed in polymer substrate material. This is the price to pay if you want to be the first to have them. Such strategy ****

One Hundred Ngultrum

Front - The portrait of King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, who was born in 1980. He is the eldest son of the former King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. He acceded to the Bhutanese Golden throne following the abdication of his father on 09.12.2006.

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-2025)

Date - 2025

Sizes - 144.5mm x 69mm

Back - An image of the Tashichho Dzong situated at the northern edge of Thimphu. The Tashichho Dzong is a Buddhist monastery and is also traditionally the office of Bhutan's civil government.

Five Hundred Ngultrum

Front - The portrait of King Jigme Singye Wangchuck who was born on 11 November 1955. He was the king of Bhutan from 1972 to 2006 when he abdicated in favour of his eldest son from his third wife. He is married with four wives and with 10 children.

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-2025)

Date - 2025

Sizes - 150mm x 71.5mm

Back - The image of Punakha Dzong, also known as Pungthang Dewa Chhenbi Phodrang. In translation, it means 'the palace of great happiness or bliss'. The Punakha Dzong is situated between the two rivers of Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu in the Punakha valley. It is believed that this palace was built around 1638. This is also the palace where the current King and Queen Jetsun Pema held their Royal wedding in 2011.

One Thousand Ngultrum

Front - The portrait of King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck (b.1862-1926). He was the first king of Bhutan from 1907 to until his death in 1926. King Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck spent his early life uniting various tribes. Following the death of his father Jigme Namgyal in 1881, he took over his father's position and continued working his way to win the hearts and sorts of the people. In 1886 at the young age of 24, he successfully achieved victory against his enemies and became the de facto ruler of Bhutan. He was crowned the King of Bhutan in 1907.

Signature - Dasho Penjore (tenure 2015-2025)

Date - 2025

Sizes - 154.5mm x 75mm

Back - An image of Trongsa Dzong. This is the largest dzong fortress in Bhutan and is located in Trongsa in the center of the country. It is believed that this dzong was built in 1543. Today, this dzong functions as a Bhutanese government administrative office.

...Tajikistan - 100 Somoni 25 Years of National Currency (2000-2025)

Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон

(Republic of Tajikistan)

Национальный банк Таджикистана

(National Bank of Tajikistan, Est.1991)

Currency - Somoni (TJS)

On 30.10.2025, the National Bank of Tajikistan released a new 100 somoni commemorative note. This note was issued to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the creation of the national currency - Somoni. The Tajikistani somoni was named after Ismail Somoni (Ismail Samani), a national hero and the father of the Tajik nation.

Tajikistan gained independence from the Soviet Union on 09.09.1991, following the dissolution of the USSR. In 1994, it released its own currency call Tajik 'Rubl' (Rouble). In 1999 it introduced the new currency called 'Somoni'. The somoni currency is subdivided into 100 dirams.

The somoni currency was first introduced on 30.10.2000, replacing the rouble at the rate of 1 somoni = 1,000 roubles.

Since gaining independence in 1991, this is the first time that the central bank has issued a commemorative note.

One Hundred Somoni

Front - Portrait of Ismail Somoni (b.849-907) who was the founder of the first centralised state. His full name was Abu Ibrahim Ismail ibn-i Ahmad-i Samani and he was the Amir of the Samanid Empire from 892 to 907. Printed in the center right is the Ismail Somoni mausoleum, which is located in the northwestern part of Bukhara in Uzbekistan, which is about 10 hours drive from Dushanbe, the capital city of Tajikistan. The building was built in the 10th century and is the final resting place of Ismail Somoni. In the center left is the commemorative logo in Tajik language: -

25 СОЛАГИИ БАРОРИШИ ПУЛИ МИЛЛИИ СОМОНЙ

(25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL SOMONI CURRENCY)

Signatures

President - Emomalij Rahmon (Emomali Sharipovich Rakhmonov - since November 1994)

Bank Chairman - Tolibzoda Firdavs Nazrimad (since January 2024)

Date - 2000-2025

Watermark - Portrait of Ismail Somoni

Sizes - 156mm x 66mm

Back - The Parliament building (National Assembly) of Tajikistan is situated on the eastern side of Somoni Square in Dushanbe. The construction for this building commenced in 2020 and was completed in 2024. Prior to the completion of this building, the Parliament was situated in the former Supreme Soviet building on Dousti Square. The national map of Tajikistan is printed in the top right corner.

...Syria - Full Set Dated 2025

ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْعَرَبِيَّةُ ٱلسُّورِيَّةُ

(Syrian Arab Republic)

مصرف سورية المركزي

(Central Bank of Syria)

Currency - Pound (SYP)

Here is a full set of new banknotes issued on 01.01.2026. This series is issued as a reform currency that replaced the previous series of banknotes issued under the regime of Bashar-al-Assad at a ratio of 1:100.

Obviously, the purpose of this new serious are due to the following reasons: -

1) To remove all images of Bashar al-Assad and father Hafez al-Assad in a symbolic break with the past. However, the new government has not demonetised these old notes yet and they can still be acceptable until the end of March 2026;

2) Currency reform by removing two zeros which will facilitate daily transactions more easily as the highest denomination is 500 pounds which is equate to 50,000 pounds of the previous series. Prior to this new series, Syrians need to carry large quantities of cash for daily basic purchases. The Syrian currency collapsed since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, with the exchange rate of the time approximately 47 Syrian pounds to a US dollar. In July, it deteriorated to 515 Syrian pound per US$. By April 2023, it went up to 7,500 pounds per US$ and by the end of 2023, the Syrian pounds was worth 15,000 to a US$. The currency currently (early January 2026) was traded at approximately 11,000 pounds per dollar, requiring Syrians to carry large amounts of cash for basic purchases. "If someone wants to buy something simple, they need to carry bags in order to trade, so people go for dollars," al-Sharaa said.

3) This new series is an expression of the new national identity and a move away from political imagery of the past.

This new series was launched by Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa on 29.12.2025 with circulation commenced on 01.01.2026.

The theme for this new series features agricultural themes, roses, wheat, olives, oranges and mulberries, whilst on the back, it depicts the country's central bank building.

Ten Pounds

Front - Main image is a rose (flower) and to the far left is a butterfly.

Governor - Abdul Qader Hosriya or Abdulkader Husrieh (since March 2025)

Watermark - emblem of Syria and electrotype 10

Sizes - 159mm x 66mm

Back - On the back, the designs are all the same. It depicts the central bank building from the front. The bank is located in the capital city of Damascus. The central bank was established in 1959 and commenced operation in August 1956. It is not sure when this building was built but it was partially damaged during the civil war that started in 2011. During the fall of the Assad regime, some money was stolen by looters but the main vault was untouched.