Before Kyrgyzstan's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the country used the Soviet ruble as its currency. Following independence, Kyrgyzstan introduced its own currency, the Kyrgyzstani som, in May 1993. This marked a significant shift from the ruble to a national currency.
The som was introduced as part of a broader economic transition, reflecting the country's newfound autonomy and the need to stabilize its economy. It initially replaced the Soviet ruble at a rate of 200 rubles per 1 som.
Kyrgyzstan has a range of coins in circulation, primarily used for smaller transactions. The commonly used coin denominations are 1, 3, 5, and 10 som, while the lesser-used denominations include 1, 10, and 50 tyiyn.
The 1 tyiyn, 10 tyiyn, and 50 tyiyn coins are made of brass-plated steel, with an obverse featuring a flower and the Emblem of Kyrgyzstan. The 1 som, 3 som, 5 som, and 10 som coins are composed of nickel-plated steel. The obverse side of these som coins shows a leather bottle, called a "kookor," and a triangle symbol representing a "tumar." The reverse side displays the Emblem of Kyrgyzstan.
