Kazakhstan’s central bank has issued a commemorative 10,000-tenge banknote featuring the country’s president, Nursultan Nazarbayev.

According to Kazakh Informbyuro news agency, the bank has issued the commemorative bank note that is a variation of the existing 10,000-tenge note to mark the 15th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Independence.  

Chairman of the National Bank of Kazakhstan, Daniyar Akishev, presented the commemorative 10,000-tenge banknote and a coin, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan's Independence, on November 15.

Speaking at a press conference in Astana, Kazakh central bank chief noted today that the bank has issued the commemorative banknote to honor the first president’s contribution to the development of the country. 

Nursultan Nazarbayev, 76, has ruled the nation since 1989.

The new note will be available starting from December 1, a national holiday marking the Day of the First President of Kazakhstan.

The tenge is the national currency of Kazakhstan.  It is divided into 100 tiyn.   

On November 15, 1993, the National Bank of Kazakhstan issued notes in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 tiyn, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 50 tenge; 100 tenge notes followed shortly thereafter.  These were followed in 1994 by 200, 500, and 1,000 tenge notes.  2,000 tenge notes were introduced in 1996, with 5,000 tenge in 1999 and 10,000 tenge on July 28, 2003.

Recall, director of the branch of the state insurance company, Tojiksughurta, in the Shahrinav district, Sharif Karim, in early September proposed to make President Emomali Rahmon’s image on the 1000-somoni banknote (if that bill existed it will become the highest-denomination banknote in the country).

Writing in Tajikistan newspaper, Sharif Karim suggested that Rahmon have his image included on the heretofore inexistent 1,000 somoni note.

"On the threshold of Tajikistan’s 25th anniversary of independence it would be a good thing for the country, since a just and wise leader is a gift from God to the nation,” Karim said.