Kyrgyzstan Unveils Record-Breaking Collector Coin
The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan has unveiled the most expensive collector coin in its history - a gold coin titled “Aikol Manas.” The initiative aims to promote oral folk traditions and preserve the cultural heritage of the Kyrgyz people. The coin was officially released on December 2. The National Bank emphasized the cultural significance of the epic Manas, which holds a central place in Kyrgyz's spiritual life and is recognized as a global masterpiece of oral folk art. The epic narrates the story of the legendary warrior Manas, who, through his courage and leadership, united the Kyrgyz tribes to secure independence and freedom for their native land. The coin's obverse features an intricate depiction of Manas in battle armor astride his horse, Akkula, set against the snowy peaks of the Ala-Too mountains. Above, the inscription “Aikol Manas” is engraved, with details of the gold's purity (Au 999) and weight (15.55g) on the right. At the bottom are the coin’s face value (200 KGS) and the symbol of the Kyrgyz currency. On the reverse, the coat of arms of the Kyrgyz Republic is framed by traditional national ornaments symbolizing Kyrgyz warriors. Along the circumference, the text “National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic” is engraved, with the year of issue, 2024, displayed at the bottom. The coin is an official means of payment in Kyrgyzstan, packaged in an acrylic capsule within a protective case and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Priced at 123,400 KGS ($1,420), it is available for purchase at the National Bank’s cash desks. Since gaining independence, Kyrgyzstan has issued several gold collector coins celebrating its cultural heritage. The first was released in 1995 to honor the 1,000th anniversary of the Manas epic. In 2015, the National Bank introduced the “Snow Leopard” coin, featuring diamond inlays. For the 30th anniversary of independence in 2021, a gold coin with a face value of 100 KGS was issued.
