Responding to a recent Internet and media campaign on of gender equality - In the Name of Maro, the National Bank of Georgia is pleased to present the GEL 19 denomination banknote, based on the style and design of circulation banknotes.

 

The National Bank of Georgia welcomes any campaign to promote the idea of ​​gender equality and, furthermore, to highlight the historic importance and role of Maro Makashvili.

 

However, the above campaign shaped a perception in the society that this banknote is a national currency with real status, that it is not a symbolic banknote but one with a purchasing power. The National Bank of Georgia deems it necessary to provide you with information on the legal basis in this regard.

 

The Constitution of Georgia and Articles 35 and 39 of the Organic Law of Georgia on the National Bank of Georgia stipulate the following:

 

• Only the National Bank of Georgia has the right to produce GEL banknotes and coins for circulation, collection and/or other purposes and to issue them on the territory of Georgia.
• The National Bank of Georgia owns the copyright on GEL banknotes and coins.
  
  
• The face value, design and other characteristics of GEL banknotes and coins are determined by the Board of the National Bank of Georgia.
  
  
• The terms and conditions for making GEL banknotes and coins are defined by the procedure set for producing GEL banknotes and coins.
  
  
• The terms and conditions for the reproduction of GEL banknotes and coins are determined in accordance with the procedures for the reproduction of GEL banknotes and coins.

 

We are pleased to additionally inform you that the decision on a specific theme for banknotes is made by the Interagency Committee for the Selection of Lari Banknote and Coin Design Sketches established by the National Bank of Georgia. The Committee brings together professionals of history, art, culture and other relevant fields. Coin design sketches are selected through an open competition, where any interested party is given the opportunity to create and submit the desired design.

 

In this particular instance, it would be advisable to discuss the initiative to issue money with the Interagency Committee for the Selection of Lari Banknote and Coin Design Sketches.

 

We also note that violation of the rules of use and reproduction of the national currency entails applicable liability.

 

We would also like to inform you that it is inadmissible to run a similar campaign in violation of the legal norms, as this may lead the public to misinterpret the purpose of national currency, and encourage the spread of counterfeit and/or illegally reproduced banknotes.

 

The National Bank of Georgia hopes that the organizers will take this into account and the campaign will comply with the requirements of legal acts.