Central Bank extends deadline for exchanging old-sample coins and banknotes

The Board of the Central Bank has extended the deadline for exchanging 50, 100, 200 and 500-soum banknotes and coins of the old sample.

According to relevant regulation, the following banknotes lost their value from July 1, 2020:

- 200-soum banknotes of the 1997 sample;
- 500-soum banknotes of the 1999 sample.

It is noted that 200-soum and 500-soum coins replaced them in the market.

“Since July 1, 2020, banknotes with these values, as well as 50-soum and 100-soum coins are accepted only by cash centers of territorial Central Bank offices and are exchanged for currency in circulation,” the statement said.

However, according to analyses and appeals, 50, 100, 200 and 500-soum banknotes and old-sample coins still remain in the hands of the population.

By a decision of the Central Bank Board, the deadline for exchanging 50, 100, 200 and 500-soum banknotes and old-sample coins has been extended until January 1, 2022.

“50, 100, 200 and 500-soum banknotes and coins of the old sample can be exchanged for banknotes in circulation until January 1, 2022, at the cash centers of the main local offices of the Central Bank,” the statement reads.