Russian Ruble & CIS Currencies

 

 

 

Obtaining and exchanging Russian Rubles and other CIS currencies is not nearly as difficult as even a few years ago. Many small cities and towns now have bank machines plus most banks within the former CIS are adopting better western-style customer service.

 

Currency exchange is possible at most banks plus at currency exchange kiosks in the center of large cities, in hotels, at airports and train stations. Another possible solution is to ask friends or acquaintances if they need to exchange money. Although paying the bank's exchange rate may be insignificant to you, the savings of foregoing the this extra expense may be much appreciated by a local resident.

 

If you need to change traveler's checks simply look for a big respectable looking bank. Many hotels, restaurants and retail stores now take Visa and MasterCard, however American Express is not very popular. There are occasional incidence of credit card fraud throughout Eastern Europe, so you may want to think twice before charging it.

 

 

Russian Ruble

 

      Paper bills have denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500 & 1000 Russian Rubles.
      There are 100 kopeks in a Russian Ruble with 1, 5, 10 and 50 kopek coins.
      There are also 1, 2 and 5 Ruble coins.
      For a thorough database of Russian Commemorative Coins, follow the link.
      To learn more about Russia's Banking System and Russian Ruble banknotes
         and coins, follow the link to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation.
 

 

Ukraine Hryvnia

 

      Paper bills carry denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Hryvnias.
      There are 100 kopeks in a Hryvnia with 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kopek coins. 
      There is also a 1 Hryvnia coin. 
      Pronounced Hree-vnia in Ukrainian, Gree-vnia in Russian.
      Don't be confused if you hear vendors and locals use the term Ruble.
         They are not referring to the Russian Ruble. This was the name of the
         currency under the former USSR and some people's habits are simply
         hard to break.
      To learn the History of the Hryvnia, follow the link.
      To see a list of Ukrainian Commemorative Coins, follow the link.
      To learn more about Ukraine's Banking System and Ukraine banknotes
         and coins, follow the link to the National Bank of Ukraine.
 

 

Belarus Ruble

 

      Paper bills carry denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000,
         10000, 20000, 50000, 100000 Rubles (as of Nov 2005).
      There are 100 kopeks in a Ruble, however with the current rate of inflation

         the kopek has lost its significance.
      For a thorough database of Belarus Commemorative Coins, follow the link.
      To learn more about Belarus's Banking System and Belorussian banknotes
         and coins, follow the link to the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus.
 

 

Moldova Leu

 

      Paper bills have denominations of 1 Leu, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 Lei.
      There are 100 bani in a Leu, with 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 bani coins.
      For a list of Moldova Commemorative Coins, follow the link.
      To learn more about Moldova's Banking System and Moldova banknotes
         and coins, follow the link to the National Bank of Moldova.
 

 

Latvia Lat

 

      Paper bills carry denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 Lats.
      There are 100 santims in a Lat, with 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 santim coins.
      There are also 1, 2 and 100 Lat coins in circulation.
      For a list of Latvia Commemorative Coins, follow the link.
      To learn about the History of Latvian Money, follow the link.
      To learn more about Latvian Banking System and Latvia banknotes
         and coins, follow the link to the Bank of Latvia.
 

 

Kazakhstan Tenge

 

      Paper bills carry denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000
         and 10000 Tenge.
      There are 100 tyins in a Tenge, however due to inflation the tyin coins
         have become obsolete.
      Currently there are 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Tenge coins in circulation.
      To learn more about Kazakhstan's Banking System and to see
         banknotes and coins, follow the link to the National Bank of Kazakhstan.
 

 

Kyrgyzstan Som

 

      Paper bills carry denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500
         and 1000 Som.
      There are 100 tyjyns in a Som, with 1, 10 and 50 tyjyn bank notes.
      For a complete list of Kyrgyz Commemorative Coins, follow the link.
      To learn more about Kyrgyzstan's Banking System and Kyrgyzstan
         banknotes and coins, see the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic.