The 1 Manat banknote, issued in 2020 (formally issued January 1, 2021) by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, highlights the country’s vibrant cultural identity and modern security design. Printed on paper (120 × 70 mm), the front depicts traditional Azerbaijani musical instruments—tar, kamancha, and daf—with musical notes set against decorative patterns. The reverse features a map of Azerbaijan with architectural window motifs. This uncirculated note includes advanced security features: a holographic windowed RollingStar® thread inscribed “1” and “AMB”, color-changing “Spark Live” ink on the treble clef (gold-to-green), iridescent gold and blue ink bands reading “AZN” and “1”, a flame coat-of-arms watermark, raised “AMB” logos, tactile marks for the visually impaired, microprinting, UV-visible elements, and a sharp clear window feel—all reflecting a four-tier counterfeiting protection strategy.
Obverse
Traditional musical instruments – Tar, Kamancheh, and Daf, Musical Note and sheet music in the background, Denomination below
Script: Latin
Lettering:
AZƏRBAYCAN MƏRKƏZİ BANKI
BİR MANAT
Translation: Central Bank of Azerbaijan, One Manat
Reverse
Map of Azerbaijan, arched windows in the background, Denomination below
Script: Latin
Lettering: BİR MANAT
Translation: Central Bank of Azerbaijan
Watermark
Coat of arms of azerbaijan / Electrotype “1”
© oXide3030 (CC BY-NC-SA)
Comments
The note has a solid security strip windowed into four pieces on the reverse. This strip is holographic and has dynamic effects:
Under backlight the whole security strip can be seen and read. It has “1” and “AMB” repeated on it:
On the obverse below the signature is a raised “AMB” logo:
Also on the obverse is a music note painted in colour changing ink:
On the reverse there are two iridescent ink strips. One is gold and the other is blue. On each one is repeated “AZN” and “1”
UV activity on the 2020 note at 365nm. Both iridescent ink strips absorb UV on the reverse:
© Brandon Bertolli
Features
| Issuer | Azerbaijan |
|---|---|
| Issuing bank | Central Bank of Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan Mərkəzi Bankı) |
| Ruling authority | Republic (1991-date) |
| Type | Standard circulation banknotes |
| Years | 2020-2023 |
| Value | 1 Manat 1 AZN = GBP 0.43 |
| Currency | Third manat (2006-date) |
| Composition | Paper |
| Size | 120 × 70 mm |
| Shape | Rectangular |
