Kazakhstan Continues Saka-Style Banknote Roll-Out

On 25 December 2024, the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) introduced a new design for the 2,000 tenge banknote. On March 28, 2025, it was the turn of the 1,000 tenge.

These mark the third and fourth banknotes respectively in the ‘Saka Style’ series (the first, the 5,000 tenge, was issued in March 2024 and the second, the 10,000 tenge, in June last year). The design is inspired by elements of the ‘Saka style’, recognised as the origin of traditional Kazakh ornamentation, reflecting the nation’s heritage—from the unique culture of nomads to modern Kazakhstan.

As with all the notes in the series, the front is in vertical orientation, and the reverse is horizontal with a suite of advanced security features common to all.

The front of both notes feature a branch of the ‘Tree of Life’ with a soaring bird (from the Issyk Kurgan, 5th-4th centuries BCE, part of the Golden Man’s headdress, symbolising the sacred connection between nature and beliefs). They also feature a DNA spiral and a stylised infinity symbol, representing the bond between humanity and nature.