Georgia’s new 5 Lari silver collector coins released today

Brand new 5 GEL (Georgian lari) silver collector coins are coming into circulation today to promote the Georgia’s rich culture and history of ancient winemaking traditions.

The new coins picture Georgian vine varieties, wine and a large, ancient Georgian winemaking vessel qvevri.

With these new 5 GEL coins Georgia will participate at this year’s prestigious wine festival at Bordeaux Centre for Wine and Civilisations in France, where Georgia will be among the special guests of the event.

The National Bank of Georgia (NBG) came up with the idea to release vine-themed new coins especially for this event, where Georgia will promote its viticulture and wine history.

The designer of the new coins is Nino Gongadze. Photo by NBG.

Japan Mint, a government-administered organisation responsible for producing and circulating Japanese coins, produced 1,500 Georgian coins.

Price for one 5 GEL coin is 60 GEL.

The main composition of the coin is the golden qvevri and dark red wine within it. On the same side of the coin there is pictured vines with roots, leafs and grapes. On the bottom of the coin will be written: "საქართველო", "2017", "GEORGIE", "5 ლარი". (Ge. Georgia...5 lari).

On the other side of the coin the Bordeaux-based wine museum and cultural centre is pictured. The shape of the building is said to symbolise the spiral flow of wine swirling in a glass.

The script on the other side of the coin is: "L’EXPOSITION "VIGNOBLE INVITE" DE LA CITE DU VIN DE BORDEAUX", "LA GEORGIE - PREMIER INVITE".

The designer of the new coins is Nino Gongadze.