Who is on Kyrgyzstan’s 200 som banknote?
Wikimedia Commons · “ҮЛГҮ” means sample.
The current 200 som banknote features Alykul Osmonov, a Kyrgyz poet and translator of the first half of the twentieth century.
Contents:
Who is on the 200 som note
Osmonov lived from 1915 to 1950. Orphaned young, he studied in Frunze, worked for periodicals and wrote lyric poetry in Kyrgyz. He also translated works from Russian and world literature.
His life was short, but the language and emotional precision of his poetry made him one of Kyrgyzstan’s leading poets. The note includes lines from his work; this page does not reproduce the poem and instead explains its connection with Issyk-Kul.
Read the full biography of Alykul Osmonov.
What appears on the reverse
The reverse shows Issyk-Kul with mountains on the horizon. The lake holds a special place in Osmonov’s poetry and is also one of the country’s most recognisable landscapes.
Related guide: our guide to Issyk-Kul.
Which issue is this, and is it valid?
The fifth-series note entered circulation on 10 May 2023. It measures 138 × 66 mm and is predominantly yellow. Earlier 200 som series may remain valid, so identify the issue before following a security checklist.
Size, colour and issue date
- Entered circulation: 10 May 2023.
- Size: 138 × 66 mm.
- Main colour: yellow.
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 200 som banknote?
Alykul Osmonov, a Kyrgyz poet and translator.
What is on the reverse of the 200 som banknote?
Lake Issyk-Kul and the mountains around it.
Is the 200 som banknote valid?
Yes. The fifth series is current, while older issues that have not been withdrawn can look different.
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