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Abkhazian apsar facts for kids

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Abkhazian apsar
10 apsars (obverse) 50 apsars (reverse)
10 apsars (obverse) 50 apsars (reverse)
ISO 4217 Code none
User(s)  Abkhazia (alongside Russian ruble)
Pegged with аҧ 1 = ₽ 10
Plural apsark (аԥсарк)
Coins 1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100 apsark
Banknotes 10, 25, 100, 500 apsark
Printer Goznak

The apsar (pronounced ap-sar) is a special type of money used in Abkhazia. While it's the official currency, people in Abkhazia mostly use the Russian ruble for everyday shopping. The apsar coins and banknotes are usually made for collectors because they are quite rare and beautiful. The first apsar coins were created in 2008.

The name apsar comes from an old tribe called the Apsars. They lived in the region during the Middle Ages. Many people believe these Apsars were the ancestors of the Abkhaz people who live there today.

Who Makes the Apsar?

The Bank of Abkhazia is in charge of making apsar coins and banknotes. They have released different series of coins. Two main series are "Outstanding Personalities of Abkhazia" and "The Patriotic War of the Abkhaz Nation 1992–1993".

Some important people who have appeared on these coins include:

  • Vladislav Ardzinba, the first president of Abkhazia (from 1994 to 2005)
  • Fazil Iskander, a famous writer
  • Dmitry Gulia, another well-known writer
  • Samson Chanba, a writer and statesman
  • Bagrat Shinkuba, a writer and politician
  • Aleksandr Chachba, an artist

Apsar coins are made from valuable metals. The 10 and 100 apsar coins are made of silver. The 25 and 50 apsar coins are made of gold. Not many of these coins are made. For example, only 2,000 silver coins and 1,000 gold coins are minted.

Commemorative Coins

Abkhazia has issued many special coins to remember important events or people. These coins are often bought by collectors.

2008 Coins: War Anniversary

In 2008, coins were made to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Abkhazia's victory in the 1992–93 war. These coins featured Vladislav Ardzinba and symbols of victory.

  • The 10 apsar silver coin and 50 apsar gold coin were designed by B. R. Japua and V. M. Erokhin.
  • They were made at the Moscow Mint and released on September 26, 2008.

2009 Coins: Honoring Writers

In 2009, a series of coins honored famous Abkhazian writers.

  • A 10 apsar silver coin was made for Fazil Iskander's 80th birthday.
  • Other 10 apsar silver coins honored Dmitry Gulia, Samson Chanba, Bagrat Shinkuba, and Aleksandr Chachba.
  • These coins were also made at the Moscow Mint.

Nart Coin

Also in 2009, a special 25 apsar gold coin was issued. It featured the Narts, who are heroes from ancient Abkhazian legends. This coin was also minted in Moscow.

2010 Coins: Historic Monuments

In 2010, a series of 10 apsar silver coins showed important historic buildings in Abkhazia. These included:

  • Bediysky Cathedral of St Mary
  • Church of St. Simon the Canaanite
  • Pitsundsky Cathedral of St. Andrew
  • Mykusky Assumption Cathedral
  • Lyhnensky Assumption Church
  • Elyrsky Church of St. George
  • Drandsky Assumption Cathedral

All these coins were designed by Japua B.R. and made at the Moscow Mint.

2011 Coins: Domino Championship and Monuments

In 2011, a 10 apsar silver coin was released for the World Domino Championships. This coin was made at the Saint Petersburg Mint. More coins featuring historic monuments were also issued, including the Church of St. Simon the Canaanite.

2012 Coins: More Historic Monuments

In 2012, more 10 apsar silver coins continued the series of historic monuments. These included:

  • The Dormition Cathedral of Myku
  • Patriarchal cathedral in Pitsunda
  • The Bedia Сathedral of the Mother of God
  • The Church of St. George in Ilori
  • The Dormition Cathedral of Dranda
  • The Dormition Cathedral of Lykhny

These coins were designed by Japua B.R. and made at the Moscow Mint.

Banknotes of the Abkhazian Apsar

The National Bank of the Republic of Abkhazia has also started issuing banknotes.

  • On September 29, 2018, the first 500 apsars banknote was released. It celebrated the 25th anniversary of the victory in the Patriotic War of the People of Abkhazia and honored the first president, Vladislav Arynba. About 10,000 of these notes were printed, but they were mainly for collectors, not for everyday use.
  • In 2023, a 25 apsars banknote was issued. This note marked the 30th anniversary of the victory in the Patriotic War. Like the 500 apsars note, 15,000 were printed, mostly for collectors.
  • In April 2024, the bank showed pictures of new 10 and 100 apsar commemorative banknotes. These were officially introduced on June 10, 2024.
Banknotes of the Abkhazian apsar
Image Value Dimensions Main Color Description Date of issue
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse
500 Abkhazian apsar - 2018 (obverse).jpg 500 Abkhazian apsar - 2018 (reverse).jpg 500 apsars 150×65 mm Gold and light brown Coat of arms of Abkhazia, soldiers of the Abkhazian Armed Forces rising the banner of victory, first President of Abkhazia Vladislav Arynba Coat of arms and map of Abkhazia, QR code 29 Sep 2018
100 Abkhazian apsar - 2024 (obverse).jpg 100 Abkhazian apsar - 2024 (reverse).jpg 100

apsars [1]

 150 x 65 mm Purple, brown, and green Caucasian red deer, Caucasus mountains, blackbird on pine branch,. Dolmens and cromlech from early Bronze Age, amphora, QR code. 10 June

2024
25 Abkhazian apsar - 2023 (obverse).jpg 25 Abkhazian apsar - 2023 (reverse).jpg 25 apsars 150×65 mm Green, orange, red, blue, and yellow Coat of arms of Abkhazia, eagle in flight, head of an eagle, sailboat Two soldiers standing, each holding a sword and rifle, numeral "25", QR code 22 May 2023
10 Abkhazian apsar - 2024 (obverse).jpg 10 Abkhazian apsar - 2024 (reverse).jpg 10

apsars [2]

 150 x 65 mm Orange, red, green, purple Caucasian leopard, bronze axe, coat of arms Bronze axe, traditional military staff "alabasha", QR code. 10 June

2024

Images for kids

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2008 Ardzinba a

    10 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2008 Ardzinba b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 50 apsar Au 2008 Ardzinba a

    50 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 50 apsar Au 2008 Ardzinba b

    50 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2008 Aiaaira a

    10 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2008 Aiaaira b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 50 apsar Au 2008 Aiaaira a

    50 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 50 apsar Au 2008 Aiaaira b

    50 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2009 commemorative a

    10 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2009 Iskander b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2009 Gulia b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2009 Chanba b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2009 Shinkuba b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2009 Chachba b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 25 apsar Au 2009 Nart a

    25 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 25 apsar Au 2009 Nart b

    25 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 commemorative a

    10 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 Bedia Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 New Athos Monastery b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 Pitsunda Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 Mokvi Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 Lykhny Church b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 Elyr Church b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2010 Dranda Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Domino a

    10 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Domino b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 commemorative a

    10 apsars (obverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 New Athos Monastery b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Mokvi Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Pitsunda Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Bedia Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Elyr Church b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Dranda Cathedral b

    10 apsars (reverse)

  • Abkhazia 10 apsar Ag 2011 Lykhny Church b

    10 apsars (reverse)

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