2019-02-19 Tue

Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. In the High Himalayas, peaks such as 7,326m Jomolhari are popular trekking destinations. Paro Taktsang monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest) clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Bhutan is geopolitically in South Asia and is the region's second least populous nation after the Maldives. Thimphu is its capital and largest city, while Phuntsholing is its financial center.

Bhutan's currency is the ngultrum, whose value is fixed to the Indian rupee. The Indian rupee is also accepted as legal tender in the country. Though Bhutan's economy is one of the world's smallest, it is the second-fastest-growing economy in the world.

The ngultrum is subdivided into 100 chhertum. The Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan is the minting authority of the Ngultrum banknotes and coins. The note depicted alongside is 5 Ngultrum banknote issued in 1985. The note specifications are as follows:

The obverse has Mythological birds flanking the Royal Emblem; the wheel of Dharma. The reverse has the beautiful Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong) Monastery towering over the cliff. The note has the words "Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan" as the watermark.

Image Courtesy: Coins & Stamps