Georgia launches first collectible Euro banknote in Netherlands

Georgia’s first collectible euro banknote, Euro 8000, which has been designed to reflect the country’s “centuries-old cultural and historical heritage”, has officially been launched in Maastricht, the southern city of the Netherlands recognised as the birthplace of the currency, the Georgian Calligraphers Association said on Saturday.

The limited-edition release, consisting of just 5,000 pieces, features Davit Gareji Lavra monument in the David Gareji cave monastery complex in Georgia’s south-east, Alaverdi Monastery in the country’s eastern Kakheti region, the qvevri clay vessel used in traditional wine storage, and Georgian calligraphy.

The collectible banknote was produced with the consent of the European Central Bank and was developed and financed by the Georgian-Dutch company Tresurium.

The Association said a team of “leading” banknote designers and specialists, along with Georgian artist Gia Japaridze and calligraphy master Davit Maisuradze, collaborated for six months to create the collectible banknote.

Amir Yashar Ajami, the Founder of Tresurium and the Co-founder of the Calligraphers Association, initiated the project, which also involved other members of the Association including Eka Kvirtia as the Project Executive, Anuka Gabriadze as Creative Manager, and David Maisuradze as a calligrapher.

Tresurium officially revealed Georgia’s collectible euro banknote last month, during the opening of the MIF International Money Fair, the world’s largest event of the type, at the MECC Congress Centre in Maastricht.