top of page
smithwicknumismati

Soyombo Money 2: 20 Möngö (Mongolia, 1993)-Article

Updated: Apr 16

This vertical Mongolian banknote represents the 2nd denomination of Series 1993 (Tögrög). Although popular amongst collectors, these small Mongolian notes are rarely used, in modern Mongolia. The majority of day to day payments are made with the larger Tögrög notes. The first 3 denominations of Series 1993 are Möngö notes, 100 Möngö equals 1 Tögrög.


Observe

The observe features in Mongolian numerals and script, which is written vertically. The text translates to “Mongolia” (left), Möngö (inner right), and Bank of Mongolia (right). The vertical serial number is the standard alphabet and numerals. The note's value is displayed diagonally across the lower left, center, and upper right. The center features an elaborate floral engraving.


The upper center features a Soyombo symbol, the national symbol of Mongolia. The term Soyombo is derived from Sanskrit "svayambhu", meaning "self-created”. In Mongolia official documents begin and end with the 2 Soyombo symbol variants.


The lower observe features a pair of wrestlers. Bökh (wrestling) is the national sport of Mongolia and has been traced to cave painting dating to 7000BC. Historically Bökh been used not only for entertainment, at festivals. But also for ranking candidates in martial exams, skilled wrestlers were entitled to higher positions.

Reverse

The reverse mostly mirrors the observe, with the exclusion of the Soyombo symbol. It features Mongolian Cyrillic and Standard numerals. This is due to the Mongolian People's Republic's (1945–1992) relations, with the mostly Russian Soviet Union (1922-1991).


The position of the text is altered, yet unchanged in its context. The text translates to “Mongolia” (top), Möngö (center), and Bank of Mongolia (bottom). The note's numerals remain the same, other than transitioning from Mongolian to standard numerals.


The Bökh wrestlers imagine on the reverse lower forms the negative of a 2-color light puzzle. When back lit it forms a gold on red imagine of 2 wrestlers. It can be viewed irregardless of side, although it's intended to be viewed from the observe. The note's background is based on the Buddhist "Eternal Knots".




Ultraviolet Gallery

Size Comparison

 

Additional Notes

  • This note's dimensions are 45 × 90 mm (1.77 x 3.54 in), roughly the size of a large ticket.

  • All Möngö notes follow a standard format. Differing only in color, denomination, and national tradition being celebrated (lower note area).

Comments


bottom of page