2018-07-10 Tue

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan released a new 200-manat note on 24th May to keep up with the country’s rapid economic growth. 5-, 10-, 20-, 50-, and 100-manat notes were in circulation before the new denomination was introduced. 200 manats are equal to U.S. $117.47 and the note is also the largest currency note in the country in terms of size as well as value.

A U.S.-based company named Crane Currency won a contest for creating the note’s design while a German firm of Giesecke+Devrient printed them. The notes come with four levels of modern security features. Modern architecture is the central theme for the designs.

The obverse features one of the most modern symbols of the capital city Baku - Heydar Aliyev Center, along with its interior and exterior design elements. Aliyev was an ex-KGB officer, a full member of the Politburo in the Soviet Union, and the third president of Azerbaijan from 1993 to 2003 who is termed as the “the architect of independent Azerbaijan” even though some think that he was repressive. The reverse features a map of Azerbaijan and a smaller map of Europe to indicate Integration of Azerbaijan with Europe. A series of national carpet patterns are also depicted.

Image Courtesy: The Central Bank of Azerbaijan