...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.