BRIEF HISTORY OF CURRENCY IN BHUTAN
Commerce in Bhutan was traditionally carried out through a system of barter in rice, butter, cheese, meat, wool, hand-woven cloth and other local produce. Bhutan first began to produce coins in silver towards the end of the 18th century, mainly for use in trade with the plains. These were followed by coins struck in alloyed silver, copper or brass, which were used for minor local purchases. These pieces, known as "Ma-trum" or "Chhe-trum" were struck by several local chieftains, rather than by the central government. Coin production continued into the 20th century under the reign of the first King, Druk Gyalpo Ugyen Wangchuck (1907-26), who gradually improved the quality of striking. In 1928/29, during the reign of the second King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Wangchuck (1926-52), fine machine struck silver and copper coins were introduced into circulation, marking the beginning of modern coinage in Bhutan. However, throughout this period the use of coins remained limited, and barter remained the predominant means of carrying out transactions, and even government officials were paid in kind, rather than in cash. In the mid 1950's, during the reign of the third King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Dorji Wangchuck (1952-72), the economy gradually started to become more widely monetised, with further issues of "silver" coins, using the dies of his father, but of a nickel alloy. In 1968, the Bank of Bhutan was established as a further step towards full monetisation. By this time most salaries were paid in cash, rather than in kind.
Monetary reform commenced in 1974, during the reign of the present King, Druk Gyalpo Jigme Singye Wangchuck, with the issue by the Ministry of Finance of the first bank notes in 1974 coinciding with His Majesty's Coronation. The unit of currency was accordingly standardised with 100 Chhetrum being equal to 1 Ngultrum. In 1982 the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan (RMA) was established to act as the central bank of Bhutan. The RMA commenced its operations in 1983, when it assumed liability for all notes and coins previously issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Denomination of Banknotes and Coins
in Bhutan
At present, notes in Bhutan are issued in the
denominations of Nu.5, Nu.10, Nu.20, Nu.50, Nu.100 and Nu.500. The printing
of notes in the denominations of Nu.1 and Nu.2 have been discontinued,
and the Nu.1 denomination has been coinised. However, such notes issued
earlier which are still in circulation and are still legal tender.
Coins are available in denominations of Ch.5, Ch10, Ch.25, Ch.50
and Nu.1.
Currency Management
The various denominations of banknotes and coins
are decided by the RMA's Board of Directors on the advice of the RMA.
The designs and security features of the banknotes and coins are also
proposed by the RMA and subject to approval by the Board of Directors.
The RMA estimates the quantities of notes and coins of different denominations
that are likely to be needed, and after obtaining the approval of the
Board, invites tenders from renowned international security printing
companies and mints. The notes and coins received from the printers
are stored in the vaults and issued to the banks and the public on request.
Notes and coins returned from circulation by the banks and the public
are examined and only notes and coins which are fit for circulation
are reissued. "Soiled and mutilated" notes are destroyed by
shredding so as to maintain the quality of the notes in circulation.
Refund of soiled and mutilated
notes
Soiled notes are those which have become dirty
and limp due to use, and mutilated notes are those which are torn, disfigured,
burnt etc. Such notes can be exchanged at the RMA. Full value is payable
against soiled notes. Payment of value against mutilated notes is made
in accordance with the Note Refund Rules which have been framed by the
Board of Directors under Section 21 (9) of the RMA Act.General features
of bank notes
The first series of banknotes issued by the Ministry of Finance and
the Bank of Bhutan were all of the same size, irrespective of the denomination.
However, this sometimes made it difficult for the largely rural population
to differentiate between the denominations.
NGULTRUM FIVE (5)
Size: 13.0 x 6.2 cm
Paper quality: 100 % cotton
Security
feature:
Watermark: Running along the border
of notes at the top and bottom showing part of the wording "Royal
Monetary Authority.
Intaglio Printing: The name of the Issuing Authority
ie Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan on the face of the note in Dzongkha
and in English on the reverse, denomination in English and Dzongkha,
guarantee and promise clause, RMA Chairman's signature are printed in
intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be felt by touch.
Fluorescence: Fluorescence fiber yellow which is not
visible to naked eye but visible only under ultraviolet light.
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Design:
Obverse
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Design:
Reverse
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NGULTRUM TEN (10)
Size: 14.0 x 7.0 cm.
Paper: 100 % cotton.
Security
feature:
Watermark: Running along the border
of notes at the top and bottom showing part of the wording "Royal
Monetary Authority.
Security Thread: Contain a plain,
fully embedded security thread on the left side of the notes.
Intaglio Printing: The name of the
Issuing Authority ie Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan on the face
of the note in Dzongkha and in English on the reverse, denomination
in English and Dzongkha, guarantee and promise clause, RMA Chairman's
signature are printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be
felt by touch, in all denomination of notes.
Fluorescence: Fluorescence fiber yellow
which is not visible to naked eye but visible only under ultraviolet
light.
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Design:
Obverse
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Design:
Reverse
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NGULTRUM TWENTY (20)
Size: 15.2 x 7.0 cm.
Paper quality: 100% cotton.
Security
feature:
Watermark: Running along the border
of notes at the top and bottom showing part of the wording "Royal
Monetary Authority".
Security Thread: Contain a plain,
fully embedded security thread on the left side of the notes.
Intaglio Printing: The name of the
Issuing Authority ie Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan on the face
of the note in Dzongkha and in English on the reverse, denomination
in English and Dzongkha, guarantee and promise clause, RMA Chairman's
signature are printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be
felt by touch, in all denomination of notes.
Fluorescence: Fluorescence fiber yellow
which is not visible to naked eye but visible only under ultraviolet
light.
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Design:
Obverse
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Design:
Reverse
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NGULTRUM
FIFTY (50)
Size: 15.5 x 7.0cm
Paper Quality: 100 % cotton.
Security
feature:
Watermark:
Running along the border of notes at the top and bottom showing part
of the wording "Royal Monetary Authority".
Security Thread:Contain
a plain, non-readable fully embedded security thread on the left side
of the notes.
Intaglio Printing:
The name of the Issuing Authority ie Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
on the face of the note in Dzongkha and in English on the reverse, denomination
in English and Dzongkha, guarantee and promise clause, RMA Chairman's
signature are printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be
felt by touch, in all denomination of notes.
Fluorescence:
Fluorescence fiber yellow which is not visible to naked eye but visible
only under ultraviolet light.
See through Register:Contain
small floral design printed in precise register on both sides of the
notes . When the note is held up to the light, part of the design printed
on the back will fit exactly within unprinted areas on the front, or
alternatively printed areas of two designs may coincide perfectly.
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Design:
Obverse
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Design:
Reverse
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NGULTRUM HUNDRED (100)
Size: 16.1 x 7.0 cm
Paper Quality:100 % cotton.
Security feature:
Watermark:
Crossed Dorji (Dorji jardrum) watermark with a light and shade effect
in the watermark window on the left side of the note.
Security thread:
Windowed security thread alternately visible on the obverse with the
inscriptions 'RMBA' , but totally embedded on the reverse. When held
against the light, the window security can be seen as one continuous
line.
Intaglio Printing:
The name of the Issuing Authority ie Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
on the face of the note in Dzongkha and in English on the reverse, denomination
in English and Dzongkha, guarantee and promise clause, RMA Chairman's
signature are printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be
felt by touch, in all denomination of notes.
Fluorescence:
Fluorescence fiber yellow which is not visible to naked eye but visible
only under ultraviolet light.
See through Register:Contain
small floral design printed in precise register on both sides of the
notes . When the note is held up to the light, part of the design printed
on the back will fit exactly within unprinted areas on the front, or
alternatively printed areas of two designs may coincide perfectly.
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Design:
Obverse
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Design:
Reverse
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NGULTRUM
FIVE HUNDRED (500)
Size: 16.0 x 7.0cm
Paper Quality:100 % cotton.
Security
feature:
Watermark:
Crossed Dorji (Dorji jardrum) watermark with a light and shade effect
in the watermark window on the left side of the note.
Security thread:
Windowed security thread alternately visible on the obverse with the
inscriptions 'RMBA' , but totally embedded on the reverse. When held
against the light, the window security can be seen as one continuous
line.
Intaglio Printing:
The name of the Issuing Authority ie Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan
on the face of the note in Dzongkha and in English on the reverse, denomination
in English and Dzongkha, guarantee and promise clause, RMA Chairman's
signature are printed in intaglio i.e. in raised prints, which can be
felt by touch, in all denomination of notes.
Fluorescence:
Fluorescence fiber yellow which is not visible to naked eye but visible
only under ultraviolet light.
See through Register:Contain
small floral design printed in precise register on both sides of the
notes . When the note is held up to the light, part of the design printed
on the back will fit exactly within unprinted areas on the front, or
alternatively printed areas of two designs may coincide perfectly.
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Design:
Obverse
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Design:
Reverse
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CHETRUM
(COINS)
*Minting of Chetrum 10 & 5 has been discontinued,
as per the recommedation of Board of Directors.
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Legal
provisions against counterfeiting:
Printing and circulation of forged notes are
offences under Part V Sections 21(3) of the RMA Act 1982 and are punishable
in the courts of law by fine or imprisonment.