Issued on 25 May 1992 by the National Bank of Belarus, the 50 Kopeek banknote was part of the first post-Soviet currency series. The obverse features a Eurasian red squirrel, illustrated in a natural pose and surrounded by delicate guilloché patterns in pink and orange tones.
The reverse shows the Pahonia coat of arms, depicting a mounted knight with sword and shield—an important symbol in Belarusian heraldry. This note is printed on 100% cotton paper by Goznak and includes red UV-fluorescent fibers and a hexagonal-pattern watermark (interwoven “S” motif). It does not have a security thread.
The note measures 105 x 53 mm and was officially withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 2001.
Obverse
Squirrel, Denomination above and below
Script: Cyrillic
Lettering:
ПЯЦЬДЗЕСЯТ КАПЕЕК
50
КАПЕЕК
Translation: Fifty Kopek
Reverse
“Pahonia” warrior on horseback at centre
Script: Cyrillic
Lettering:
ПАДРОБКА РАЗЛІКОВЬІХ БІЛЕТАЎ
НАЦЫЯНАЛЬНАГА БАНКА БЕЛАРУСІ
ПРАСЛЕДУЕЦЦА ПА ЗАКОНУ
50
КАПЕЕК
РАЗЛІКОВЫ БІЛЕТ НАЦЫЯНАЛЬНАГА БАНКА БЕЛАРУСІ 1992
Translation: Forgery of banknotes of the National Bank of Belarus is prosecuted by law, 50 Kopek, Payment ticket of the National Bank of Belarus
Watermark
Forward “S” / Backward “Ƨ”
© B. Waters & ngdawa (CC BY-NC-SA)
Comments
The Red Squirrel or Eurasian Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a species of tree squirrel in the genus Sciurus common throughout Eurasia.
The Pahonia is the historical Coat of Arms of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, but it was also the emblem of the Republic of Belarus from 1991 to 1995.
Features
| Issuer | Belarus |
|---|---|
| Issuing bank | National Bank of the Republic of Belarus (Нацыянальны банк Рэспублікі Беларусь) |
| Ruling authority | Republic (1991-date) |
| Type | Standard circulation banknotes |
| Year | 1992 |
| Value | 50 Kopek (0.50 BYB) |
| Currency | First Rouble (1992-2000) |
| Composition | Paper |
| Size | 105 × 53 mm |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Demonetized | 31 December 2000 |
