...Abkhazia - 50 Apsars 2025 Numismatic Products

Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра

(Republic of Abkhazia)

 

Аԥсны Аҳәынҭқарра Амилаҭтә Банк

(National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia, Est 1991)

Currency - Apsar (Apsara)

 

This is the fifth note issued by this disputed region of Abkhazia since 2018. The National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia has released, since 2018, the denomination of 500 apsars (2018), 25 apsars (2023), 10 and 100 apsars (both 2024), and now this 50 apsars.  

According to a report, 50,000 pieces have been issued, and like the 2024 issues, this note was also reported as an Investment Banknote. I am not sure what it meant by that, and how is this considered as an investment, apart from calling this a numismatic product. If this note is not intended for general circulation, then the quantity of 50,000 is quite a lot for a rather small population of less than 250,000 living in this disputed region, unless it is also intended to target overseas collectors. For the record, Abkhazia is still internationally recognised as part of Georgia. It declared independence on 23.07.1992, and shortly after that, war broke out in August 1992. Until today, the conflict between this region and the Georgian government is still unresolved, and the Abkhazian managed to stay independent solely due to the Russians backing.

Fifty Apsars

Front - The main feature for this design are the three Black Sea dolphins. In the central top is the map of Abkhazia, and to the left is a sea shell. To the far right is an image of a jellyfish. Like those previously issued, the usual seven-star design in a semi-circular pattern is also incorporated in the design.

Signature - Beslan Baratelia (Chairman since 2014)

Series - 2025

Quantity Issued - 50,000 pieces

Watermark - Image of a square with an anchor and seahorse on each sides

Sizes - 151.5mm x 66mm

Back -  An image of a medieval Abkhazian warship in the far left and a prow of a ship in the center. Below the prow is an image of an anchor and to the right is a pattern of a seahorse facing right. 

...Abkhazia - 10 and 100 Apsar 2024 Numismatic Products

Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра

(Republic of Abkhazia)

 

Аԥсны Аҳәынҭқарра Амилаҭтә Банк

(National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia, Est 1991)

Currency - Apsar (Apsara)

 

Here are two commemorative banknotes of 10 and 100 apsar, both released on 10.06.2024. Both notes are dated 2024. Whilst these two notes were released as commemorative notes, I have no idea what they are celebrating or commemorating for? 

 

The Republic of Abkhazia first issued a commemorative note of 500 apsar in 2018 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Victory in the Patriotic War 1993-2018. Five years later, it then released a second commemorative banknote of 25 apsar in 2023 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Victory in the Patriotic War 1993-2023.

 

The Republic of Abkhazia is a disputed region situated in the Caucasus region and was once controlled by the government of Georgia. Georgia lost control of the territory ollowing the 1992-1993 war. Despite both Georgia and Abkhazia signing a ceasefire agreement in 1994, and following years of negotiations, the dispute remains unresolved. Abkhazia is backed by Russia and that is why it managed to stay free from Georgia since 1993. As this is a disputed territory, only six countries recognised its independence, countries like Nauru, Nicaragua, Syria, Venezuela and Russia of course. Georgia was once a member of the Soviet Union and became an independence state following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Georgia became fully independent from the Soviet Union on 6.12.1991. 

It was reported that up to 500,000 pieces have been issued for the 10 spsar and only 10,000 pieces issued for the 100 spsar. This is a lot for the 10 apsar especially the population in Abkhazia is less than 250,000 people. Prior to the 1992-1993 war, Abkhazia had a population in excess of 500,000 people. The war of 1992-1993 led to the reduction of population due to displacement, ethnic cleansing and many were expelled from the territory by the Abkhaz separatists. Unlike those previously issued (25 and 500 apsar), I believe the 10 apsar is meant for general circulation and the 100 apsar is not. The Russian ruble currency is circulating in Abkhazia as currency.

Ten Apsar

 

Front - The main image of the obverse of the banknote consists of an image of a Caucasian leopard's head with its curl-up tail, an ornamented ancient bronze axe next to the leopard's head. A leopard's paw is printed on the lower left side. Images of Seven Stars from the state flag of the Republic of Abkhazia. In the right and left sectors there are images of the state emblem of the Republic of Abkhazia and the denomination of the banknote. 

 

Signature - Beslan Baratelia (Chairman since 2014)

Series - 2024

Quantity Issued - 500,000 pieces

Watermark - Leopard head

Dimensions -152mm x 65.5mm

 

Back - The main image of the reverse side of the banknote consists of images of a bronze axe and the upper part of the traditional Abkhaz military and hierarchical staff “alabasha”. Images of Seven Stars from the state flag of the Republic of Abkhazia. The field on the reverse side also shows the denomination and serial number of the banknote.

 

Replacement Note

Prefix AB

One Hundred Apsar

 

Front - The main image of the front side of the banknote is a red deer against the backdrop of the snow-capped Caucasus mountains and a blackbird on a pine branch. In the left sector of the front side there is an image of the state emblem of the Republic of Abkhazia and the denomination of the banknote. 

 

Signature - Beslan Baratelia (Chairman since 2014)

Series - 2024

Quantity Issued - 10,000 pieces

Watermark - red deer

Dimensions -152.5mm x 65.5mm

 

Back - The main image of the reverse side of the banknote is the historical monuments of Abkhazia of the Early Bronze Age - dolmens and cromlechs, as well as ancient bronze items discovered on the territory of Abkhazia during archaeological expeditions. The field on the reverse side of the banknote also contains the denomination designation and the serial number of the banknote.

...Abkhazia - 25 Apsar 30th Anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War 1992-1993 (Against Georgia)

Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра

(Republic of Abkhazia)

 

Аԥсны Аҳәынҭқарра Амилаҭтә Банк

(National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia)

Currency - Apsar (Apsara)

 

This 25 apsars (apsaras) note was issued on 22.05.2023, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War 1992-1993 of the people of Abkhazia. A 500 apsars banknote was issued back in 2018 for the 25th anniversary of the Patriotic War 1992-1993.

 

The design for this 25 apsars note is completely different from the previous 500 apsars commemorative note issued. 

 

The Republic of Abkhazia is a disputed region and was once controlled by the government of Georgia. Georgia lost control of the territory following the 1992-1993 war in Abkhazia. Despite both Georgia and Abkhazia signing a ceasefire agreement in 1994, and following years of negotiations, the dispute remains unresolved. Georgia was once a member of the Soviet Union and became an independent state following the breakup of the Soviet Union. Georgia became fully independent from the Soviet Union on 26.12.1991.

 

The Republic of Abkhazia is situated on the western side of Georgia and shares a common border with Russia. It has a land size of 8660 km2 or about 12.5% of the whole of Georgia. Despite Georgia losing the control of the Abkhazia territory, the majority of the international community still considered Abkhazia as part of Georgia. Today only five countries recognise Abkhazia as an independent nation and these five countries are Russia, Nauru, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Syria.

 

Like the previous commemorative issue, this is also a limited edition, and with only 15,000 pieces issued reportedly. Whilst many coins have been minted since declaring independence in 1992, this is the second banknote ever issued by this disputed territory.

 

The National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia was established on 28.02.1991. The bank's head office is located on Leon Street in the capital city of Sukhumi. While the official currency is Apsar, Russian ruble is used in this region. This Apsar commemorative note is dated 2023, and is predominately printed with green-beige colour. This banknote is printed on white cotton based paper. A total of 15,000 pieces issued, and according to the issuing authority, this note may not be used as a means of general payment in the retail system, just like the previous 500 apsars commemorative note issued in 2018. I am not sure if anyone has tried this. It would be very unlikely if this note was issued with a premium over its face value.

 

The official exchange rate for the Apsar currency is 1 apsar equals to 10 Russian rubles. I honestly doubt that the Apsar currency has any real face value outside the Abkhazia territory, even in Russia if presented, apart from its collectible value to Notaphily around the world. In the real world, this apsar banknote may not be worth the paper it has printed on, but may have great potential collectible value in the near future, given that this is a limited edition and banknotes issued by disputed territories are one of the many favourites among collectors.

It appears that this commemorative note is also issued in a folder. However, I have no details as to how many have been issued in a folder nor I have one either. I do not believe the entire 15,000 pieces of notes are released in a folder.

 

Twenty Five Apsar (Apsaras)

A flying hawk with wings fully stretched out heading west, a hawk head facing east.

 

Front: A State emblem on the left, a sailboat, a soaring flying hawk with wings fully stretched out heading west, a hawk head facing east. Images of Seven Stars from the state flag of the Republic of Abkhazia are also located on top of a semicircle surrounding the hawk's head.

 

Signature - Beslan Baratelia (Chairman since 2014)

Series - AA23 (2023)

Watermark - Basket weave pattern

Dimensions - 151.5mm x 65.5mm

 

Back: Two Abkhaz warriors standing and facing each other. One is holding a sword and a handgun, and the other one with a rifle and a sword. The image of seven stars is duplicated and the background is printed with traditional Abkhazian ornament. Like the previous 500 apsars note, this note is also printed with the Quick Response (QR) code on the bottom right corner containing a link to the web page of the Bank of Abkhazia with a description of the security of this banknote.

 

Two Abkhaz warriors facing each other

 

Footnote: - Apart from Abkhazia, Georgia has also lost control of the region called South Ossetia when it declared independence in 1991. As per Abkhazia, South Ossetia is also recognised by only five countries, namely Russia, Nauru, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Syria, but the majority of the international community do not.

...Abkhazia - 500 Apsars 2018 Commemorative Issue

Аҧсны Аҳәынҭқарра

Republic of Abkhazia
National Bank of Abkhazia

This 500 apsars note was issued to honour the first President of the Republic of Abkhazia, Vladislav Arynba (b.1945-2010) and also the 25th Anniversary of the Victory in the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia (civil war against Georgia) in 1992. Vladislav Arynba was the President of Abkhazia from 1994 to 2005. He died in Moscow in 2010 but the cause of his death was not announced to the public.

The Republic of Abkhazia was once part of Georgia but lost control of the territory following the 1992-1993 war in Abkhazia. Despite both Georgia and Abkhazia signing a ceasefire agreement in 1994 and following up years of negotiations, the dispute remains unresolved. The Republic of Abkhazia is situated on the western side of Georgia and shares the same border with Russia. It has a land size of 8660 km2 or about 12.5% of the whole of Georgia. Despite losing the control of Abkhazia, the majority of the international community still considered Abkhazia as part of Georgia. Today only five countries recognise Abkhazia as an independent nation and these five countries are Russia, Nauru, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Syria.

The currency used in this country is called apsar. The value of one apsar is equal to 10 Russian Rubles and therefore this 500 apsars is worth 5000 rubles.

This commemorative note was issued on 29.09.2018. The reported quantity issued was 10,000 pieces. This note is not intended for general circulation. This note is printed on cotton based paper banknotes and is measured at 150mm x 65mm.

Whilst many coins have been minted since declaring independence in 1992, this is the first time it has issued a banknote. If you have this note in your collection, then your collection for the Abkhazia banknote is complete.

Designs
Front: Portrait of the late President Vladislav Arynba, one soldier holding up with a military weapon on one hand and another soldier raising the Abkhazia flag;
Back: National Emblem and flag of Abkhazia, Map of Abkhazia, seven stars representing all seven regions of Abkhazia. This note is also printed with the Quick Response (QR) code.

The issuance of this note was announced by the Chairman of the National Bank of Abkhazia, Beslan Baratella.

Five Hundred Apsars

Dared 2018, Vladislav Arynba (b 1945-2010)

Reverse - Seal, Abkhazia (land)

Footnote: -
Apart from Abkhazia, Georgia also lost control of the region called South Ossetia when it declared independence in 1991. As per Abkhazia, South Ossetia is also recognised by only five countries, namely Russia, Nauru, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Syria, but the majority of the international community do not.