Description

Seven years after minting them, Belarus has released its first circulating coins after declaring its 1991 independence from the Soviet Union.

The National Bank of the Republic of Belarus on July 1, 2016, issued a series of eight coins that were initially struck in 2009, shortly after Belarus broke up its monetary union with Russia.

The July launch coincided with a redenomination or revaluation of the Belarusian ruble, which lopped four zeroes off the currency, meaning 10,000 rubles now equals 1 ruble. The redenomination process began as early as 2008 with some note production and the 2009 coin production but was not finally implemented. Prior to July 2016, Belarus used only paper money in commerce; the only coins it issued were commemoratives for sale to collectors.

Engraver: Svyatlana Nyakrasava