The Somoni is the currency of the Republic of Tajikistan. It was named after the founder of Tajikistan, Ismoil Somoni. Its ISO code is “TJS”, a somoni is divided into 100 dirams.
History of the currency of Tajikistan
During the Soviet Union, between 1919 and 1993, the ruble was the currency denoted in Tajik: сўм. Russia wanted to maintain the currency union, and the politically unstable Tajikistan was the only country to agree to the “small currency union”.
However, the monetary union failed due to the lack of cash supply. The liquidation came with the Tajik ruble in May 1995. The somoni replaced the Tajik ruble on October 30, 2000 at the rate of 1 somoni equal to 1,000 rubles.
Coins have existed since 2001 for 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 dirams and 1, 3 and 5 somoni. They are made of steel, brass-plated, nickel-brass or copper-nickel.
The coins of 1, 3 or 5 somoni are rarely used; instead, small banknotes are preferred. These are available for 1, 5, 20 and 50 dirams and for 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50, 100 and 200 somoni and a “replacement banknote from 2010 for 500 somoni.
The coins have the value on one side and the crown with seven stars from the emblem on the other, the edges are smooth. The copper-nickel coins of 1, 3 and 5 TJS show Ismoil Somoni, the coat of arms of Tajikistan and Abuabdullo Rudaki.
The edges of the 3 Somoni have an inscription, the others are ribbed interrupted On the bills, you can see famous heads and the value written in Arabic numerals and Tajik on one side, and well-known local buildings on the other.
Exchange into local currency
You are allowed to import national and foreign currencies without restriction, but you have to declare them.
You are not allowed to export the somoni, the foreign currency until the declared import.
You can exchange euros in Tajikistan without any problems, US dollars are also sensible to take with you because you can also pay with them. US dollars are best taken in small denominations and only new bills. It can be exchanged in exchange offices and hotels.
Cash can be withdrawn from some ATMs with an EC card with the Maestro symbol. The new V-Pay cards are not accepted outside of the euro zone.
Withdrawing with a credit card is usually cheaper than using the EC card in Tajikistan for the foreign transaction fee. The amount is often from 5 to 10 euros per withdrawal. A maximum of 200 US dollars or 800 somoni can be withdrawn. Some banks issue free credit cards for toll-free withdrawals in Tajikistan and around the world.