Georgia’s new 5 GEL banknotes will be released in September

Georgia is changing the colour and size of its 5 GEL banknote that will come into circulation from September 2017.

The process of upgrading lari banknotes is still in progress. The upgraded 5 GEL denomination has been added to the upgraded 20, 50 and 100 GEL banknotes. The upgraded 5 GEL banknotes will be issued from the September 2017 and will be in circulation with the banknotes of the previous issues,” said the director of the National Bank of Georgia, Koba Gvenetadze, on today’s press conference.

The front side of the upgraded 5 GEL will feature Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University building – the portrait of Ivane Javakhishvili himself [a Georgian historian and a linguist] will also be improved relief quality and volume.

The back side features the paintings of famous Georgian painter Niko Pirosmani - "A Fisherman in a Red Shirt” and "Threshing”.

The back side of upgraded 5 GEL. Photo: NBG.

The upgraded 5 GEL banknote, like the previously issued 20, 50 and 100 GEL banknotes, is protected with modern and high technological security features that, at the same time, are easily intelligible to users. Furthermore, the banknotes still have the special improved features for visually impaired people.

The upgraded banknotes are made with special materials and security mechanisms that make them robust against contamination and natural wear-and-tear,” said Gvenetadze.

The upgraded 5 GEL banknote is designed by Bacha Malazonia.

Later, Georgia will issue upgraded banknotes in denomination of 10 GEL.