Kyrgyzstani som

Kyrgyzstani som Кыргыз сом (Kyrgyz) Киргизский сом (Russian)
1 Kyrgyz som (1999/2000) 100 Kyrgys som (2002)
ISO 4217 Code	KGS
User(s)	Kyrgyzstan
Inflation	6.4%
Source	The World Factbook, 2006 est.
Subunit
1/100	tyiyn
Plural	som
tyiyn	tyiyn
Coins	10, 50 tyiyn, 1, 3, 5 som
Banknotes	1, 10, 50 tyiyn, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 som
Central bank	National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic
Website	www.nbkr.kg

The som (Kyrgyz: сом, sometimes transliterated as "sum" or "soum") is the currency of the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia. The ISO 4217 currency code is KGS. The som is sub-divided into 100 tyiyn (Kyrgyz: тыйын). The som was introduced in May 10, 1993, replacing the Soviet ruble at a rate of 1 som = 200 rubles.

Etymology

In the Soviet Union, speakers of Kazakh, Kyrgyz and Uzbek called the ruble the som, and this name appeared written on the back of banknotes, among the texts for the value of the bill in all 15 official languages of the Union. The word som (sometimes transliterated "sum" or "soum") means "pure" in Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uyghur and Uzbek, as well as in many other Turkic languages. The word implies "pure gold".

Coins

Only commemorative coins have been issued thus far. Circulation coins will be issued in 2008 with denominations of 10 and 50 tiyin and 1, 3 and 5 som. New coins are minted in Kazakhstan.

Banknotes

In 1993, the government issued 1, 10 and 50 tyiyn notes and the Kyrgyzstan Bank issued notes for 1, 5 and 20 som. In 1994, the Kyrgyz Bank issued a second series of notes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 som. A third series followed from 1997 onwards in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1000 som.

Third series
Image		Value	Dimensions	Main Colour	Description			Date of
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse	Watermark	printing	issue
		1 som	120 × 60 mm	Green-orange	Abdylas Maldybaev	Komuz, kylkyak, Bishkek Philharmonic Orchestra	As portrait	1999	February 7, 2000
		5 som	135 × 65 mm	Dark blue	Bubusara Beyshenalieva	Kyrgyz National Opera		1997	December 17, 1997
		10 som		Dark green	Kasym Tynystanov	Mountain ranges of Kyrgyzstan and the Dzhety-Oguz tract
		20 som		Ochre-red	Togolok Moldo	Manas Mausoleum	As portrait, and value	2002	August 15, 2002
		50 som	145 × 70 mm	Red-violet	Kurmanjan Datka	Uzgen architectural complex of the 11-12th centuries
		100 som	150 × 72 mm	Green-violet	Toktogul Satylganov	Khan Tengri
		200 som	155 × 74 mm	Yellow	Alykul Osmonov	Lake Issyk Kul		2000 2004	August 28, 2000 August 2, 2004
		500 som	160 × 76 mm	Violet	Sayakbay Karalaev	Sayakbay Karalaev and images from the Manas (epic)		2000 2005	August 28, 2000 November 1, 2005
		1000 som	165 × 78 mm	Gray-green	Jusup Balasagyn	Takhti Sulaiman, Mount Sulaiman		2000	August 28, 2000
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimetre, a standard for world banknotes. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

One of many currency exchange kiosks in Bishkek's Dordoy Bazaar, quoting value of foreign currencies in Kyrgyz som

Kyrgyzstani som is the second highest-valued currency unit in Central Asia.

See also

• Economy of Kyrgyzstan

External links

• Coins of former Soviet republics
• Don's World Coin Gallery - Kyrgyzstan
• Ron Wise's World Paper Money - Kyrgyzstan ^{Mirror site}
• Tables of Modern Monetary Systems by Kurt Schuler - Asia ^{Mirror site}
• The Global History of Currencies - Kyrgyzstan
• Global Financial Data currency histories table ( Microsoft Excel format)