50 Som 30 Years of National Currency

Kyrgyzstan introduced its national currency, the som, in May 1993 — abruptly, with only three days' notice — as it exited the ruble zone following the Soviet collapse. This commemorative note marks thirty years of that decision. Crane Currency, the Massachusetts-based security printer with roots in the American banknote paper industry dating to the early nineteenth century, has supplied Kyrgyz notes before, so the relationship is not new.

The watermark-only security specification is notably sparse for a commemorative issue of this period, when most central banks commission far more elaborate authentication features for prestige printings.