2018-05-29 Tue

The National Bank of Cambodia announced on 16th May that they are soon going to release a new 20,000-riel banknote. The denomination is almost equal to USD $5. Other denominations from 50- to 100,000-riel are still in circulation. In 1995 and 2008, two other 20,000-riel notes were released. These two versions are also currently in circulation. Prime Minister Hun Sen released the new note to celebrate the 65th birthday of King Norodom Sihamoni.

The note majorly features shades of pink and brown. It measures 155 millimeters in length and 72 millimeters in breadth. The obverse of this note features a portrait of the king while the reverse depicts an image of the 10th-century Banteay Srei Temple which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Angkor Wat.

The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was rediscovered in 1914 and cleared by 1924. The temple is small when compared to the other monuments in Angkor but is very well-preserved. It is made of red sandstone and features fine and intricate carvings.

Image courtesy: National Bank of Cambodia