Nepal Continues Roll-Out of New Banknote Series

Nepal Rastra Bank began issuing a new series in 2020, starting with 1,000, 100 and 50 rupees. This year, despite the COVID restrictions, it has continued the programme with the issue of new 20, 10 and 5 rupee notes. The new 500 rupees is expected to follow in 2022. The 1,000, 500, 20, 10 and 5 rupees have been printed by China Banknote Printing and Minting Corporation (CBPM), the 100 rupees by De La Rue and the 50 rupees by Oberthur Fiduciaire.

Nepal is located at the southern foot of the Himalayas, with beautiful natural scenery, attracting mountaineers from all over the world. The theme of the new banknote highlights Nepal's traditional culture and unique natural attributes. Everest, the world's highest peak, leaps above every banknote and shines brightly under the UV light.

For the 1,000 rupees, a 4mm wide RAPID® security thread and pre-coated paper are used. The front of the note features the Swayanbunat Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist relics in Asia, and on the reverse is an elephant.

The 20 rupees features the Krishna Temple on the front and a deer on the revere, the 10 rupees Changu Narayan Temple and an antelope, and on the 5 rupees Thyangboche Monastery and a yak. Phosphorescence and post-print varnish have been adopted for all four denominations.

Notes of the new and previous series will co-circulate.