east asia: Mongolia

Showing posts with label Mongolia. Show all posts

06 September 2024

...Mongolia - 5000 Togrog 100th Year of the Establishment and Strengthening of the Modern Banking System Commemorative

(Mongolia)

Монголбанк

(Bank of Mongolia, Est.1924)

Currency - Togrog (MNT)

Here is a commemorative note of 5000 togrog (tugrik) issued to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the establishment and strengthening of the modern banking system in Mongolia. This note was introduced on 31.05.2024. However, it was reported that the release for this commemorative issue was only announced by the central bank on 17.07.2024.

According to the central bank, only a small quantity of notes were issued for this commemorative series, but it did not mention what the quantity was. Based on the letter prefix printed, it is believed that MB (presumably Mongolia Bank) is the only prefix (and replacement prefix, if any).

The design for this commemorative note is the same as the current 5000 torog in circulation but with added security features, including visible UV three colours offset SOYOMBO-Mongolian national symbol, a colour-changing feature Spark present the logo of the 100th anniversary of Modern banking system and a horseman on the lower right corner. A tactile feature of six embossed lines are added on the left and right edges to assist those with visual impaired. Most tactile features for the visually impaired are printed with raised dots. This note is printed with this feature in diagonally lines instead.

The Bank of Mongolia (or Mongolbank) was founded in 1924. The bank started as a joint venture between Mongolia and Russia and was then also known as the Trade and Industry Bank of Mongolia. The bank opened its door on 02.06.1924 with offices in Urga (HQ) and Altanbulag and managed by 22 staff of whom 18 of them were Russians. It seems that it was more of a Russian than a Mongolian bank when it was first started.

Five Thousand Togrog

Front - A portrait of Chinggis Khann (Genghis Khan). Chinggis Khann was born in 1162 and was given the birth name of Temujin. During his lifetime, he managed to unite various Mongol tribes in Mongolia and went on to conquer a large part of China and Central Asia. He ruled the Mongol empire from 1206 until his death in 1227, at the age of 65 years old. It should be noted that during his lifetime, he did not establish the Yuan Dynasty in China. The Yuan Dynasty was established in 1260 by his grandson Kublai Khan (b.1215-1294), 33 years after his death. The Yuan Dynasty then went on and occupied China for 108 years and finally collapsed in 1368, when the Ming Dynasty headed by Hongwu Emperor (Zhu Yuanzhang) successfully chased them out of China. Printed to the left is the commemorative logo with rolling colour effect.

Governor - Byadran Lkhagvasuren

Watermark - ?

Dimensions - 151mm x 72.50mm

Back - On the back, it depicts the Drinking Fountain located at the Chinggis Khan's court. It is believed the fountain was built by Kublai Khan but not sure when. According to a Dutch missionary Friar William of Rubruck which detailed his visit to the Mongol empire in 1253 and described the Drinking Fountain as a tall silver tree complete with branches, leaves and fruit. The structure is crowned by a trumpet-wielding, angelic automaton. Up in the branches are four pipes that emerge that distribute with different alcoholic drinks down to silver basins below. These beverages are grape wine, fermented mare's milk, rice wine and honey mead, all ready to serve the great Khan at his desired. The Drinking Fountain was drawn by Pierre de Bergeron (French) based on Friar William's description. Unfortunately, this creation did not survive long enough to confirm it's existence and I was wondering if this was a true story or just a traveler's imagination. Of course it existed as if not, it would not be depicted on a banknote here. The Drinking fountain was originally located in Karakorum, the capital city of the Mongol Empire from 1235 to 1260. It is interesting to note that the main design of this note on the back is the same as the previous 2021 commemorative note of 10,000 togrog.

13 May 2022

...Mongolia - 10000 Togrog (Tugrik) 2021 100th Year of Mongolian Revolution

(Mongolia)

Монголбанк

(Bank of Mongolia)

Currency - Togrog (MNT)

A commemorative note of 10000 togrog released on 09.07.2021, celebrating the country's 100th Year of Mongolian Revolution 1921-2021.

The Mongolian Revolution first started in 1911, following the fall of the Chinese Qing dynasty led by the XinHai Revolution. To the Mongolians, this is not considered to be independent, but rather the beginning of the independence process from China. Following Mongolia breaking away from China rule, the country was governed by Bogd Khaan (b.1869-1924). He went on and ruled Mongolia from 2011 to 1924. However, China, which is now a republic, did all they could to reoccupy Mongolia but without success as the Russian refused to accept that, nor the Russian recognised the independence of Mongolia. In 1915, it was agreed that Mongolia became an autonomous region of China and in return, China would not send its troops into Mongolia. Whilst this was agreed by both parties, neither were happy with such an arrangement. This agreement only lasted for six years, and in 2021, with the assistance of the Russian Red Army, the Mongols successfully expelled foreign troops (mainly the Russian White Guards), thus started the Mongolian revolution in 2021, and led to full independence in 1924. Despite gaining independence, the country immediately became a satellite state of the Russian and this went on until the third Mongolian revolution in January 1990.

Interesting to note that Bogd Khaan was born as a Tibetan. His father was an accountant at the 12th Dalai Lama's court. Bogd Khaan lost his power when the Chinese occupied the country in 1919. He was then allowed to continue to rule the country but with limited power. He died on 20.05.2024, about 6 months before the country achieved its independence, on 26.11.1924.

Mongolia is a vast country with land size of 1,566,000 km2 and yet only has a small population of 3.353 million people. Even the tiny nation of Singapore, which only has a land size of 728 km2 (and is forever growing), has a population in excess of 5.68 million people.

I understand that this is the second commemorative banknote ever issued by the Bank of Mongolia.

Ten Thousand Togrog

Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan b.1162-1227)

The design of this commemorative note is very much the same as the current 5000 and 10000 togrog. On the front, it depicts the Mongolian leader, Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan b.1162-1227). On the right, it has the commemorative logo of 100 and underneath is a warrior riding on a horse back and underneath its printed with the Mongolian words;

Ардын Xувьсгал
1921 ☆ 2021

(People's Revolution)

On the back, it features the image of people gathering around a water fountain in a courtyard. On the left of the usual watermark area, it has the overprint of the image of Damdin Sukhbaatar. Sukhbaatar, who was one of the founding members of the Mongolian People's Party and is considered to be the "Father of the Mongolian Revolution". He was born in 1893 and died in 1923. The official death was due to exhaustion, but some argued that he was poisoned whilst others believed it was from pneumonia. He was only 30 years and 18 days old when he died. Next to his portrait is a quote from his remarks in Mongolian script. This note is also printed with a year date of 2021 on the back.

Governor - Badran Lkhagvasuren (since 2019)

Dimensions - 150mm x 71.5mm

Damdin Sukhbaatar. Sukhbaatar (b.1893-1923). water fountain in a courtyard

Footnote:

If you are confused by what I have written above, don't worry as I am confused myself too. Ignore what I have written and let's enjoy this beautiful commemorative banknote.