Coins
Belarus is a large producer of commemorative coinage for the collectors markets, most particularly gold and silver bullion coins and non circulation legal tender. The first coins of the Republic of Belarus were issued on December 27, 1996. The designs of such range from fairly ordinary to unique and innovative and themes range widely from "native culture and events" to fairy tales and pop culture topics not relating to Belarus at all. A majority of these coins are denominated with a face value of 1 ruble, with a few denominated in 3 ruble and 5 ruble as well. All these coins are considered novelties and are not likely to be seen in general circulation.
Official circulation coinage has yet to be introduced, making Belarus one of the few countries in the world never to have issued coins and the last of the countries consisting the former Soviet Union to if it ever chooses to do so. The reasons for this are largely due to an endemic problem with rampant inflation which has been a problem since independence.
In 2009 and years since, there has been talk of rebasement and a Third Ruble. The plans for a this revaluation include a set of coins in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 Kopecks and 1 Ruble. Slovakia has offered to mint these coins and has provided prototypes. However, despite plans for revaluation and the introduction of coinage this has yet to occur and no coins have been introduced.
Read more about this topic: Belarusian Ruble
Famous quotes containing the word coins:
“A war undertaken without sufficient monies has but a wisp of force. Coins are the very sinews of battles.”
—François Rabelais (1494–1553)
“No Time, spoke the clocks, no God, rang the bells,
I drew the white sheet over the islands
And the coins on my eyelids sang like shells.”
—Dylan Thomas (1914–1953)