DUSHANBE, December 27, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- The National Bank of Tajikistan has issued new 5- and 10-somoni banknotes with additional protective element – cinegram.

According to Tajik central bank’s press center, the new banknotes were put into circulation on December 25.

The somoni (TJS) is the currency of Tajikistan.  It is subdivided into 100 diram.  The currency is named after the father of the Tajik nation, Ismoil Somoni.

The somoni was introduced on October 30, 2000; it replaced the Tajikistani ruble, at the rate of 1 somoni = 1000 rubles.