Uzbekistani Som

The currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani som (UZS). The som was introduced on 29 August 1993, replacing the Soviet ruble at a rate of 1 som = 100 rubles. The word som means "coin" in Uzbek. The second som was introduced on 15 September 2000, at a rate of 1000 old som = 1 new som. The som is subdivided into 100 tiyin (тийин). The tiyin was also the subunit of the former Soviet ruble. On 6 November 2017, the Uzbekistan Central Bank issued a new series of banknotes. The design of the new notes was developed by the British firm De La Rue. The new banknotes feature a portrait of Uzbekistan's first president, Islam Karimov, on the obverse. The reverse of the notes feature various Uzbek landmarks and motifs. The new notes are larger and more colorful than the old ones. The largest denomination, 5000 som, is similar in size to a US dollar bill. The new banknotes have raised concerns among some Uzbeks who worry that the president's image is too prominent. Others have praised the new notes for their improved design and security features.