20 Som

The 1994 Kyrgyz issues — of which this is part — were among the first banknotes printed after Kyrgyzstan introduced the som in May 1993, replacing the Soviet ruble following independence. The country adopted its own currency earlier than several neighboring republics, partly to escape the hyperinflationary spiral that was devastating ruble-zone economies at the time. The decision was controversial domestically, given the near-total dependence on trade with former Soviet partners.

The P#10 series was printed by the Canadian Bank Note Company, Ottawa.