Cambodia Issues New 50,000-Riel and 100,000-Riel Banknotes

The Royal Government of Cambodia has issued two new banknotes, one worth 50,000 riel (about $12.5) and the other 100,000 riel (roughly $25), under two sub-decrees signed Friday by Prime Minister Hun Manet. The new notes will circulate alongside existing banknotes rather than replace them.

The new 50,000-riel specimen banknote, front and back

According to separate Prakas issued by the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), the 50,000-riel note measures 155 mm by 72 mm, dominated by dark yellow and brown tones. The 100,000-riel note is larger, at 170 mm by 75 mm, in shades of green and grey.

The front of the 50,000-riel note features a portrait of former King Norodom Sihanouk alongside a seven-headed naga statue. The back shows Bakong Temple, in the Roluos temple complex, and the image of a young elephant modelled on a stone carving at Koh Ker Temple, in Preah Vihear province.

The 100,000-riel note brings together, on its front, portraits of former King Norodom Sihanouk and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, alongside a nine-headed naga statue. The back depicts the former King, the Queen Mother and King Norodom Sihamoni, next to a standing Garuda king, a figure of power modelled on a carving at Preah Khan Temple, in Siem Reap.

The new 100,000-riel specimen banknote, front and back.

Both notes carry specific markers for visually impaired users, as well as a 10-mm hologram built on advanced technology that meets, according to the NBC, high-level security standards.