Understanding the Kyrgyz Som and Currency

Article

💰 What is the Kyrgyz Som?

The Kyrgyz som (symbol: ⃀, code: KGS) is the official currency of the Kyrgyz Republic. The word "som" means "pure" in Kyrgyz, Kazakh, Uyghur and other Turkic languages, referring to pure silver or gold, similar to the etymology of "sterling". The som is subdivided into 100 smaller units called tyiyn.¹

📖 History of the Som

Kyrgyzstan introduced its national currency on May 10, 1993, making history as the first among former Soviet Union countries to have its own independent currency. Before the som, people used the Russian ruble, which had replaced the Soviet ruble. When the som was introduced, the exchange rate was 1 som = 200 Russian rubles.²¹

The introduction of the national currency was a significant milestone for Kyrgyzstan's independence and economic sovereignty. The first banknotes featured imagery from the Kyrgyz national epic "Manas" as a symbol of independence. Later, the design concept shifted to featuring historical and cultural figures, with notable Kyrgyz representatives of culture and art on the front of banknotes, and beautiful places in Kyrgyzstan on the back.²

💵 Coins and Banknotes in Circulation

🪙 Coins: Kyrgyzstan introduced circulation coins relatively late, in January 2008. The coins are minted in Kazakhstan and come in denominations of:

  • 10 tyiyn

  • 50 tyiyn

  • 1 som

  • 3 som

  • 5 som

  • 10 som

All coins feature the national emblem of Kyrgyzstan and traditional symbols like the leather bottle called "kookor" with the protective "tumar" symbol.³¹

💴 Banknotes: Currently, banknotes are issued in denominations of:

  • 20 som

  • 50 som

  • 100 som

  • 200 som

  • 500 som

  • 1,000 som

  • 2,000 som

  • 5,000 som

Each banknote features prominent historical figures from Kyrgyz culture on the front and significant landmarks or cultural symbols on the back.⁴⁵³

📊 Understanding Exchange Rates

The exchange rate tells us how much one currency is worth compared to another. As of October 1, 2025, one U.S. dollar equals approximately 87.41 som. This means if you want to buy something that costs $10 in the United States, you would need about 874 som to purchase the same value.⁶

Exchange rates change daily based on supply and demand in the international currency market. When more people want to buy som (high demand), its value increases. When fewer people want som (low demand), its value decreases. Understanding exchange rates is crucial for international trade, travel, and managing personal finances in a globalized economy.⁷⁶

🎓 Why Financial Literacy Matters

The National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic, together with organizations like the OSCE, has been actively promoting financial literacy among youth in Kyrgyzstan. Between 2022 and 2025, over 3,000 students participated in financial literacy training programs across all regions of the country. These programs help young people understand budgeting, saving, banking services, investment basics, and how to use digital financial platforms safely.⁷

According to the OECD survey, Kyrgyzstan has shown positive trends in improving financial literacy, with the financial behavior indicator rising from 11.1 in 2017 to 11.6 in 2021. Understanding your national currency is the first fundamental step toward making informed financial decisions that can improve your economic wellbeing and help you achieve your personal and family goals.⁷

💡 Practical Tips for Students

  • ✅ Always check the current exchange rate before traveling abroad or making international purchases

  • ✅ Keep both coins and banknotes in good condition – damaged currency may not be accepted

  • ✅ Learn to recognize security features on banknotes to avoid counterfeit money

  • ✅ Understand that currency values fluctuate, and this affects the prices of imported goods

  • ✅ Start building financial literacy skills early to make better economic decisions throughout your life

Video

Kyrgyz Language Tutorials Episode 70: National Currency

History of the Development of the National Currency On May 10, 1993, during a difficult time for the republic, Kyrgyzstan introduced its own national currency - the som. As experts now note, this was not an end in itself for our country. There arose a necessity to conduct our own independent economic policy. Thus, in 1993, the first banknotes appeared in denominations of one, ten, fifty and one, five, twenty soms. And already in 1994, banknote samples were issued into circulation, depicting outstanding historical figures, prominent figures of culture and art. The bills were in denominations of one, five, ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred soms. The five-som banknote depicts the first Kyrgyz ballerina - Bibisara Bishenalieva. She entered the history of national art as the founder of Kyrgyz ballet. This portrait was probably drawn by someone later. This was when in '58 he left..

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