Georgian money: description and photo

National Georgian money is called lari. The international banking code is GEL. One lari is equal to 100 tetri. The currency is presented in banknotes and coins.

History

Until the Soviet Union collapsed, the ruble was the main currency in Georgia. But in 1992, the Russian government suspended the sending of bills to this country. And this forced Georgia to switch to coupons (temporary money) for some period. At the same time, the development of the national currency began. It was called "lari", which means "silver" in Georgian. The national currency was put into circulation on October 2, 1995, when Eduard Shevardnadze was in the presidential post .

Coin design

Georgian money in the form of coins is minted from stainless steel. The nominal value of 50 tetri is made of brass or a copper-nickel alloy. From it, coins of one denomination are minted. And money in nominal value two and ten - from bimetal.

The coins depict the sun, the date of manufacture and the inscription "Republic of Georgia". It is engraved in two languages - national and English. The first coins had six denominations - from 1 to 50 tetri. The initial series was minted in 1993 at the Paris Mint.

Currently in use are tetri, which were released in 1999 and 2006. Coins have six denominations - from 1 to 50 and denominations of 1 and 2 lari. A separate series was issued collectible metal money of two types, differing in appearance, worth ten lari. On the obverse, the symbols of the country are minted - a bunch of grapes, a golden lion, a peacock and a st. Mamai. On the reverse side, the coins depict the Georgian coat of arms.

Design of banknotes

Paper Georgian money has different colors. Issued bills denomination:

• 1 GEL - blue-green;
• 2 - pink-gray;
• 5 - brownish-blue;
• 10 - blue-violet;
• 20 - orange-brown;
• 50 - green-blue;
• 100 - gray-green;
• 200 - yellow-blue.

On banknotes in one lari there is a portrait of the Georgian artist N. Pirosmanishvili. Behind him is a natural landscape. On the reverse side there is a panorama of Tbilisi with a deer in the center. On a five-lari banknote, a portrait of academician I. Javakhishvili, George and the tree of life. On the reverse side of the note are the Tbilisi University, the golden lion and the map of Georgia.

A Georgian poet A. Tsereteli depicts a 10 Gel banknote on the front. On the back of the note - a fragment of the picture, framed by a vine.

On the front side of the banknote in one hundred lari there is an image of national pride - the poet Sh. Rustaveli. And on the back - a fragment of the biblical composition in the bas-relief.

Georgian money worth 200 lari has on the obverse side of the image of Sukhumi (now this city is on the territory of Abkhazia) and inscriptions in three languages: Georgian, English and Abkhaz. This design is a symbol of the integrity of the country.

From the very beginning it was planned to introduce a banknote worth 500 lari. And a small circulation of them came into circulation. But by the exchange method, the notes were withdrawn from circulation and acquired the status of non-issued ones.

Updating banknotes occurs without large external changes. And in circulation there are still both new and old series of banknotes. They are exchanged for a large degree of wear and tear.

The rate of lari to ruble and other currencies

Exchange rates in Georgia are determined by the National Bank, given the quotes and economic indicators of the country. You can exchange Georgian currency for rubles or buy dollars, euros, etc. at any point. After the appearance of national currency units, the lari to ruble rate was 1: 1. An interesting fact: at that time the Georgian currency had denominations of 150 and 250 thousand lari. But over time they disappeared from everyday life. According to the data of the past year, the GEL to dollar exchange rate was 1: 0.41, and to the Russian ruble - 1: 26.84.

Currency exchange

In Georgia, currency exchange is without much trouble. There are many exchange offices on the territory of the country. Sometimes Georgian lari money can be exchanged for another currency, even without a passport. But it is required in the bank. In Georgia, exchange offices are located at stations, in large entertainment and shopping centers, in all places where there is a mass gathering of people.

The course is almost the same everywhere. If there is a difference, then a small one or two lari for one hundred US dollars. Commission for exchange is not taken in almost all points. But this point still needs to be clarified before concluding a deal to know for sure.