Tajikistan: A 100 Somoni That Marries Heritage
At the recent HSP Asia conference in Kuala Lumpur, a banknote printed on 100% organic cotton by Giesecke+Devrient stood out: Tajikistan’s new 100 somoni note, issued to mark a quarter-century of monetary independence, has been crowned the “Best New Commemorative Banknote," bridging medieval heritage with the latest security technology.
For twenty-five years, the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) had marked the country’s milestones exclusively through coins. For the 25th anniversary they decided to issue a commemorative Banknote. The result is a banknote that serves as both a financial instrument and a narrative canvas, weaving together the story of a 10th-century dynasty with 21st-century nano-physics.
When the note was unveiled on October 30, 2025, it represented more than just a celebratory issue; it was a statement of trust, resilience, and authenticity: designed by G+D and printed on a, sustainable substrate of 100% organic cotton by Louisenthal, the note underlines that in the high-stakes world of currency design, security is the primary language.
The Physics of Trust
The 100 Somoni note is the first in the world to integrate the RollingStar® Venus security thread, a 6mm wide technological marvel with registered embeddingand a nanometre-precise micro-mirror structure that effectively raises the barrier to counterfeiting and supports fast public authentication. To the naked eye, the thread is a striking band of violet and orange. But under light, it comes alive. In the outer two windows there is a dynamic ColorFlip® effect: tilt the note, and the denomination ‘100’ in orange vanishes into the violet background, instantly replaced by the cyrillic letters ‘БМТ’ (standing for Бонки Миллии Тоҷикистон, or National Bank of Tajikistan) – these different effects for each window are only possible for registered threads and increase users‘ attention and perception.
The RollingStar® Patch complements this with an unambiguous color shift, transitioning fluidly from magenta to green, while demetallized elements create transparent motifs. Taken together, the feature set forms a layered defense against counterfeiting, what the National Bank of Tajikistan calls “pages of our history that we hold in our hands”.
Bridging Centuries
While the technology looks forward, the design looks deeply inward, capturing the "soul" of the Tajik identity: the obverse of the note is dominated by the portrait of Ismoil Somoni (849-907), the Emir of the Samanid dynasty who is widely regarded as the father of the Tajik nation. It was under Somoni’s leadership that the region experienced a monumental cultural and scientific revival, preserving the native language and identity during a pivotal era of history.
The design subtly acknowledges the complexity of this heritage; adjacent to his portrait stands the Samanid Mausoleum, Ismoil’s resting place, which is architecturally significant to Tajikistan despite its physical location in neighboring Bukhara, Uzbekistan.
The reverse side pivots to the modern era, depicting the new Parliament Building in Dushanbe. Yet, the designers have ensured a visual dialogue between the two sides. The octagonal shapes found in the base of the nearby Istiklol Monument and the fountains of the parliament square are mirrored in the note’s window grilles and frames.
A Sign Of Steady Development
The award from High Security Printing Asia is a validation of a strategy that placed paramount importance on integrating advanced security technologies. For a landlocked, mountainous nation of 10.7 million people, winning a global technology award is a significant feat.
It signals that Tajikistan is not merely purchasing off-the-shelf solutions but is actively pushing the boundaries of what is possible in banknote design: „The commemorative banknote is not only a symbol of historical memory, but also a sign of the steady development of the country's monetary and credit system and national economy“. Its design incorporates cultural elements that reflect the cultural and architectural heritage of our country, testifying to the ancient civilization and craftsmanship of the Tajik people.
Further Reading
RollingStar® Venus Security Threads
RollingStar®Venus threads add security by means of novel nanotechnology and provide completely new dynamic effects for secure authentication. As the latest addition to the RollingStar®family, they maintain all security properties while incorporating advanced nanotechnology.
RollingStar® Patch
RollingStar® Patch is based on the same technology as RollingStar® LEAD® – and gives you complete freedom to choose any patch size, shape and position on the note. That makes it really easy to integrate it into your banknote design.