Banknotes and Coins of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus

In July 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Belarusian SSR passed a Declaration on State Sovereignty. After proclamation of independence, banknotes of the State Bank of the USSR were in circulation in the Republic of Belarus for some time, followed by those issued by the Bank of Russia. In accordance with the resolution of the Government of the Republic of Belarus, in May 1992 token money issued by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus in 50 kopecks, 1, 3, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 Rubles denominations were introduced into circulation. Afterwards, token money in 200 and 500 (1992), 1,000 (1993), 5,000 and 20,000 (1994), 50,000 (1995), 100,000 (1996), 500,000 (1998), 1,000,000 and 5,000,000 (1999) Rubles denominations were introduced into circulation.

Although the above token money of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus was not declared to be currency and initially was issued as a supplement to the primary monetary unit (the Soviet Ruble and later the Russian Ruble), subsequent developments upgraded it to the cash Belarussian Ruble. In May 1994, the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus resolved that the Belarussian Ruble shall be the sole legal tender in the territory of the Republic of Belarus, while banknotes called token money – in cash transactions.

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus, on January 1, 2000, new banknotes in 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000, in 2001, 10,000 Rubles, in 2002, 20,000 and 50,000 Rubles, in 2005, 100,000 Rubles, and in 2012, 200,000 Rubles denominations were introduced into circulation and are currently in use.

National currency, together with the emblem, flag and anthem, is an integral attribute of a sovereign state. Metallic currency (coins) is an important component of a full–boded money circulation system.

The world "coin" originates from the name of goddess Juno (Juno Moneta) at whose temple in Ancient Rome a mint was situated in the 3rd century B.C. During more than two thousand years (since its appearance in the 7th century B.C. and up to the 18th–19th centuries) coins were practically the only instrument of money circulation. Following wide expansion of paper money they gradually turned from the main into secondary payment means. Nevertheless, even nowadays when bank settlements are carried out, e–money and credit cards are in existence, coins continue to play their role in money circulation.

First coins of the Republic of Belarus were issued on December 27, 1996. Their production is the result of the making of a sovereign state and its issuing institution. In this section you will find information on commemorative coins issued by the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus since 1996. It includes: detailed description, photos of coins' both sides, brief summary of events, personalities and monuments featured on the coins. It also contains coins' size, mintage figures and general specifications of the alloys the coins are made of.

Most of the coin draft designs were developed by Belarusian designers. Traditional Belarusian geometric ornament was used as decoration.

We trust that the information contained here will be of interest and use both for true collectors and a wide range of visitors who are enthusiastic about the history of coins.