Georgian national money is called lari. The international banking code is GEL. One lari is equal to 100 tetri. Currency is presented in banknotes and coins.
History
Until the Soviet Union collapsed , the ruble was the main currency in Georgia. But in 1992, the Russian government suspended sending notes to this country. And this forced Georgia to switch to coupons (temporary money) for some period. At the same time, the development of the national currency began. She received the name "lari", which in Georgian means "silver". The national currency was introduced on October 2, 1995, when Eduard Shevardnadze was at the presidency .
Coin design
Georgian money in the form of coins is minted from stainless steel. Denominations of 50 tetri are made of brass or copper-nickel alloy. One unit is minted from it. And money in denominations of two and ten - from bimetal.
The sun, the date of manufacture and the inscription "Republic of Georgia" are depicted on coins. It is engraved in two languages - national and English. The first coins had six denominations - from 1 to 50 tetri. The initial series was minted in 1993 at the Paris Mint.
Currently in use are tetri, which were released in 1999 and 2006. Coins have six denominations - from 1 to 50 and in denominations of 1 and 2 GEL. In a separate series, collectible metallic money of two types was issued, differing in appearance, in denominations of ten lari. The symbols of the country are minted on the obverse - a bunch of grapes, a golden lion, a peacock and St. Mom On the reverse side, the Georgian coat of arms is depicted on coins .
Banknote design
Georgian paper money has different colors. Denominations are issued:
- 1 GEL - blue-green;
- 2 - pink-gray;
- 5 - brown-blue;
- 10 - blue-violet;
- 20 - orange brown;
- 50 - green-blue;
- 100 - gray-green;
- 200 - yellow-blue.
On banknotes in one lari a portrait of the Georgian artist N. Pirosmanishvili is depicted. Behind it is a natural landscape. On the back there is a panorama of Tbilisi with a deer in the center. On a banknote of five lari a portrait of academician I. Javakhishvili, sv. George and the tree of life. On the back of the bill is Tbilisi University, a golden lion and a map of Georgia.
On the banknote of 10 lari on the front side is the Georgian poet A. Tsereteli. On the back of the bill is a fragment of a picture framed by a vine.
On the obverse side of a hundred lari banknote is an image of national pride - the poet S. Rustaveli. And on the back is a fragment of a biblical composition in a bas-relief.
Georgian money with a face value of 200 lari has on the front side an image of Sukhumi (now this city is located on the territory of Abkhazia) and inscriptions in three languages: Georgian, English and Abkhazian. This design is a symbol of the integrity of the country.
From the very beginning, it was planned to introduce a banknote of 500 GEL. And their small circulation came into circulation. But through the exchange method, banknotes were withdrawn from circulation and acquired the status of un issued.
Banknotes are updated without major external changes. And in circulation there are still both new and old series of notes. Their exchange is made with a large degree of deterioration.
GEL exchange rate to the ruble and other currencies
Currency rates in Georgia are determined by the National Bank, taking into account quotes and economic indicators of the country. You can exchange Georgian currency for rubles or purchase dollars, euros , etc. at any point. After the advent of national currency, the rate of lari to the ruble was 1: 1. An interesting fact: at this time, the Georgian currency had face values of 150 and 250 thousand lari. But over time, they disappeared from everyday life. According to last year, the rate of the lari to the dollar was 1: 0.41, and to the Russian ruble - 1: 26.84.
Currency exchange
In Georgia, currency exchange takes place without much hassle. There are many exchange points in the country. Sometimes Georgian lari money can be exchanged for another currency, even without a passport. But he will be required at the bank. In Georgia, exchange offices are located at train stations, in large entertainment and shopping centers, in all places where there is a massive concentration of people.
The course is almost the same everywhere. If there is a difference, then it’s small - one or two lari per hundred American dollars. Exchange fees are not taken at almost all points. But this point still needs to be clarified before the conclusion of the transaction in order to know for sure.