Issued on 25 May 1992 by the National Bank of Belarus, this 50 Rubles banknote is part of the first “post-Soviet ruble” series. The obverse features a majestic brown bear (Ursus arctos), a symbol of strength and Belarus’s natural fauna, illustrated in natural tones over fine guilloché patterns in blue and purple hues.
The reverse displays the historic Pahonia coat of arms, representing a mounted knight with sword and shield, enclosed by ornamental designs. Printed on 100% cotton paper by Goznak (Russia), the banknote contains a braided “S” watermark and red UV-fluorescent fibers. It does not include a security thread.
The note measures 105 x 53 mm. It was withdrawn from circulation on 1 January 2001 and is now considered a collectible from Belarus’s early independence era.
Obverse
Bear, Denomination above
Script: Cyrillic
Lettering:
ПЯЦЬДЗЕСЯТ РУБЛЁЎ
50
Translation: Fifty Rubles
Reverse
“Pahonia” warrior on horseback at centre
Script: Cyrillic
Lettering:
ПАДРОБКА РАЗЛІКОВЬІХ БІЛЕТАЎ
НАЦЫЯНАЛЬНАГА БАНКА БЕЛАРУСІ
ПРАСЛЕДУЕЦЦА ПА ЗАКОНУ
50
РАЗЛІКОВЫ БІЛЕТ НАЦЫЯНАЛЬНАГА БАНКА БЕЛАРУСІ 1992
Translation: Forgery of banknotes of the National Bank of Belarus is prosecuted by law, Payment ticket of the National Bank of Belarus
Watermark
Paper – Interlocked “S”‘s
© B. Waters
Comments
© gyoschak
Bears are carnivoran mammals of the family Ursidae. They are classified as caniforms, or doglike carnivorans.
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 Roubles (50 BYB) |
| Currency | First Rouble (1992-2000) |
| Composition | Paper |
| Size | 105 × 53 mm |
| Shape | Rectangular |
| Demonetized | 31 December 2000 |
