The 100-somoni banknote, issued in Tajikistan in 2025, has been recognized as one of the best banknotes in the world by becoming a participant in the prestigious annual international “Banknote of the Year” competition. This was reported by the official website of the International Bank Note Society (IBNS).
According to IBNS, around 100 new banknotes were issued worldwide in 2025, but only 17 were deemed innovative enough in design and technology to be included in the list of nominees.
Among these select few was the Tajik banknote, representing Central Asia. Alongside Tajikistan, Russia (1000 rubles) and Kazakhstan (1000 tenge) from the post-Soviet space were also participants in the nomination.
The 100 somoni banknote is designed in a bright multicolored palette dominated by blue, pink, and green shades. Its artistic concept reflects national history and statehood. The obverse features Ismoil Somoni — the founder of the first centralized Tajik state, as well as the Samanid Mausoleum, an important historical and cultural symbol of the country. The design is complemented by the emblem of Tajikistan, a commemorative 25th-anniversary logo, and intricate geometric elements.
The reverse side of the banknote is dedicated to the modern state: it depicts the new parliament building, the national flag, and texts in Tajik and English.
Special attention was given by the developers to the banknote’s security. It is equipped with modern security features, including a watermark with a portrait of Ismoil Somoni, color-changing RollingStar elements, a window security thread with a dynamic effect and hidden “100” numeral, as well as matching images and complex geometric structures. The banknote was printed by the German company Giesecke & Devrient and entered circulation on October 30, 2025.
Despite the high appraisal of its design, the Tajik banknote did not make it among the prize winners. The winner of the competition was the 200 guilder note of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, distinguished by its original “underwater” theme and complex hybrid design.
Second and third places went to the banknotes of Fiji and Zambia, respectively, and the top five also included the banknotes of the Falkland Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Being nominated by the IBNS is considered important international recognition. The competition brings together the best examples of banknote design, which are viewed not only as means of payment but also as works of art and carriers of national identity.
