An unusual modern value

Kyrgyzstan

The government of Kyrgyzstan (or the Kyrgyz Republic) describe their country as: “one the most scenic places in Central Asia. Two-thirds of its territory is occupied by the mountains, which is affected on variety of climate, landscapes, flora, and fauna. Being here, you will open to yourself the country of snowy mountains, enjoy the views of stern sunlit heights of Tien-Shan. Wild nature with beautiful waterfalls and rapid mountain rivers, falling into the lakes with the crystal-clear water will astound you with its beauty.”

Formerly part of the USSR, the country of more than 6-million people gained independence in 1991.

Obverse

The obverse of the coin primarily features the coat-of-arms of the country above the date. From Wikipedia: “The emblem was in a circular in which the conventional language of symbols expresses the mentality, nature, culture and management of the Kyrgyz people.

In the foreground in the lower most part of the blue circle is a frontal image of a white falcon with wings wide open. The bird “Ak Shumkar” as a symbol of purity and nobleness of thoughts is sung in legends and folk epos. The image on the emblem that the bird means a way of life, the traditional culture of the Kyrgyz people and symbolizes the protection of the Kyrgyz land stretching behind it with Issyk-Kul and the snowy peaks of the Ala-Too mountains (especially the Tian Shan peaks). In the depths of the circle, because of the mountains, occupying the upper part of the State Emblem, the sun rises, golden rays shining on the sacred land of Kyrgyzstan. the forty rays that extend from it refer to the legendary forty clans of Manas.

The centre plot has a decorative frame in the form of a ribbon strip giving the necessary information: the word “Кыргыз” (Kyrgyz) is located in the upper part, and “Республикасы” (Republic) in the lower part. The sides of the frame contain decor, composed of motifs of the ornament, stylized opened cotton bolls, ears of wheat – the main cultivated crops on Kyrgyz soil.”

Coat of arms of Kyrgyzstan, as used from 1994-2016 (the newer version just changes the colours slightly) image credit: Wikipedia

Reverse

The reverse features the value of the coin below a “kookor” or “Köökör”. A kookor is a traditional Kyrgyz container made of leather for kymyz, the traditional drink. Each “kookor” image bears a symbol of “tumar” represented by a triangle. The latter is widely used in various Kyrgyz crafts. Yurtcampalay.kg has more description of the kookor.

The currency of the country is the Som, written “com”, which is made up of 100 Tyiyn. 1 Som is worth around 1.1 Euro cents however, so I don’t think smaller denominations are used much. According to Numbeo.com, a loaf of bread costs around 40 Som, petrol is around 66 Som / Litre and a takeaway meal is 488 Som. I couldn’t find anything on their list with a price under 1 Som.

The value, 3, is also interesting, as it is not commonly used anymore. Numista lists only 7 regular circulating coins with a value of “3” this century. What is your favourite unusual denomination? Share in the comments!