Who is on Kyrgyzstan’s 20 som banknote?
Wikimedia Commons · “ҮЛГҮ” means sample.
The current 20 som banknote features Togolok Moldo, an akyn, Manas reciter and collector of oral tradition whose real name was Bayymbet Abdrakhmanov.
Contents:
Who is on the 20 som note
Togolok Moldo lived from 1860 to 1942. He composed his own works, performed epic narratives and recorded folklore. His pen name is commonly explained through words meaning “round-faced” and “literate man”.
His importance lies in the meeting of oral culture and writing. He performed for listeners while also helping preserve texts for later researchers and editions.
Read the full biography of Togolok Moldo.
What appears on the reverse
The reverse depicts the Tash Rabat caravanserai in Naryn Region. The stone building in a Silk Road valley connects literary memory with the roads along which people and stories moved for centuries.
Related guide: Naryn as a base for exploring the region.
Which issue is this, and is it valid?
The fifth-series note is dated 2023 and entered circulation on 15 February 2024. It measures 120 × 58 mm and is predominantly red. Older 20 som designs may also remain valid, so use the security guide for the matching series.
Size, colour and issue date
- Entered circulation: 15 February 2024.
- Size: 120 × 58 mm.
- Main colour: red.
How to check a real banknote
Identify the issue by its date and design, then check several features.
- Against the light, look for a multi-tone portrait watermark with the denomination and a thread that appears continuous.
- Parts printed on opposite sides should align into a diamond when viewed through the note.
- The portrait, bank name, denomination and tactile marks should feel raised.
- Tilt the note: selected elements change colour or shine, while a bar or diamond appears to move on the thread.
Open the National Bank description and security guide.
Explore every denomination
Read about the people and scenes on the other notes:
1 som · 5 som · 10 som · 20 som · 50 som · 100 som · 200 som · 500 som · 1,000 som · 2,000 som · 5,000 som
How to use som, exchange cash and withdraw money in Kyrgyzstan.
Frequently asked questions
Who is on Kyrgyzstan’s 20 som banknote?
Togolok Moldo, an akyn, Manas reciter and folklorist whose real name was Bayymbet Abdrakhmanov.
What is on the reverse of the 20 som banknote?
The Tash Rabat caravanserai in Naryn Region.
Is the 20 som banknote valid?
Yes. The fifth-series note is in circulation; older valid issues of the same denomination can look different.
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