50 Som

The Kyrgyz som was introduced in May 1993, replacing the Soviet ruble at par after Moscow's decision to launch a new Russian ruble effectively forced the former Soviet republics still using the old notes to act fast or be left holding worthless paper. Kyrgyzstan moved quickly — among the first Central Asian states to break from the ruble zone entirely.

Thomas De La Rue has printed the bulk of Kyrgyzstan's currency since independence, a relationship that reflects the National Bank's consistent preference for offshore security printing over developing domestic capacity. The P#25 issue ran across a notably long production window for a mid-denomination note, suggesting stable demand and no significant counterfeiting pressure that would have forced a redesign.