Who is on Kyrgyzstan’s 2,000 som banknote?
Wikimedia Commons · “ҮЛГҮ” means sample.
The front of the commemorative 2,000 som banknote presents Manas as a monumental epic hero. It is not a documentary portrait of a verified historical individual.
Contents:
Who is on the 2000 som note
Manas is the central hero of the Kyrgyz epic that bears his name. Its narratives bring together journeys, alliances, conflict and a nomadic world, while manaschi recreate the story through oral performance.
The note uses a recognisable monument and a symbolic figure rather than claiming to reconstruct a real person’s appearance. The epic has immense cultural significance, but it is not biographical evidence for one historical hero.
What appears on the reverse
The reverse combines a stylised tree, the Khan Tengri massif, Issyk-Kul and a soaring golden eagle. Rather than showing a single building, it creates a symbolic panorama of Kyrgyzstan’s landscape and imagery.
Related guide: how manaschi preserve and perform the epic.
Which issue is this, and is it valid?
The vertical commemorative note entered circulation on 17 November 2017 for the 25th anniversaries of Kyrgyzstan’s independence and national currency. It measures 153 × 73 mm and remains legal tender, although it is much less common than ordinary denominations.
Size, colour and issue date
- Entered circulation: 17 November 2017.
- Size: 153 × 73 mm.
- Main colour: light blue.
How to check a real banknote
Identify the issue by its date and design, then check several features.
- First compare the vertical layout, dimensions, principal lines and serial numbers with the official specimen.
- Feel for raised print in the principal front elements and inspect the smallest lines for sharpness.
- View the note against the light and tilt it. The commemorative issue uses a different set of changing elements from regular series.
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 2000 som banknote?
Manas, the epic hero represented through a monumental artistic image.
What is on the reverse of the 2000 som banknote?
A tree, Khan Tengri, Issyk-Kul and a golden eagle in a symbolic composition.
Is the 2000 som banknote valid?
Yes. It is a commemorative but fully valid National Bank note and legal tender.
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