Catalog
20 Afghanis, Khalq Issue
| Issuer | Da Afghanistan Bank |
|---|---|
| Year | 1978 |
| Type | Standard circulation banknote |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Size | Log in to see details |
| Shape | Log in to see details |
| Printer | Log in to see details |
| Designer(s) | Log in to see details |
| Engraver(s) | Log in to see details |
| In circulation to | Log in to see details |
| Reference(s) | Log in to see details |
| Obverse description | The Khalq Government arms vignette is centered at upper right, flanked by the bank title in Pashto ('دافغانستان بانک') across the top and the denomination '20 AFGHANIS' at lower right. The face is framed by ornate scrollwork borders with a fine guilloche underprint, and Pashto-script text lines in the center carry the denomination statement and date. The word '۲۰ افغانی' appears at upper left and upper right corners. |
|---|---|
| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Signature(s) | Log in to see details |
| Protection type | Log in to see details |
| Protection description | repeated pattern visible when held to light. |
| Variants | Log in to see details |
| Comments |
The 1978 issue marks the first Afghan banknote series produced under the Khalq faction of the People's Democratic Party of Afghanistan, which seized power in the Saur Revolution of April that year. Printing was contracted to Goznak in Moscow — a choice that was as political as it was practical, signaling the new regime's alignment with the Soviet Union almost immediately after the coup.
The Khalq period was brief and violent. By late 1979, Soviet intervention and internal PDPA purges had swept Khalq from dominance, making this a short-lived issue by any measure.