Rumors about an impending denomination along with a change in the design of banknotes have been circulating since the 2008 crisis. From time to time, possible variants of “future money” appear on the network, most of which copy the design of the existing series. Sometimes very interesting examples appeared among them, which can now be called visionary. Below are several denominations, the design of which is dedicated to the federal districts of the Russian Federation.
The appearance in 2017 of banknotes of a new format only spurred rumors. Experienced people hinted at a possible replacement for money, noting that since 2010 the Central Bank has not modified the 1997 bank notes. Confirmation of the development of a new line came in September 2018 from the general director of the joint-stock company “Gopnik” Arcady Tkachuk, who did not say anything specific, but urged not to be surprised at the loss of usual banknotes from circulation. At the same time, he firmly insisted that the denomination was not included in the plans of the Russian government.
It is indicated that in 2020 2.8 trillion rubles went into circulation, which led to an increase in the total amount of cash to 13.4 trillion rubles. With the dynamic development of the country, the total amount of cash by 2026 may increase to 16 trillion, despite the fact that 55% of Russian citizens (more than half of the country’s population) do not see an opportunity for themselves to do without cash. Therefore, from 2022, banknotes of a new sample, similar in design to the series of 2017, will begin to function. It is stated that the new line is not a rejection of the existing “urban” series, but its natural evolution. The sights of the administrative center of the federal district will be depicted on the front side, and the reverse side will be dedicated to the iconic objects of this federal district.
Analysis of the number of cities by federal districts represented on banknotes of 1997 and 2017 shows that the leader is still the North-West (St. Vladivostok). South of Russia and Siberia (Sevastopol and Krasnoyarsk, respectively) have one city each. Let’s see how the new concept works on the 2000 ruble banknote that has already been put into circulation. The front side is dominated by a cable-stayed bridge leading from the mainland of Vladivostok to Risky Island.
The reverse side shows the launch complex of the Vostochny Cosmo drome – the most significant object of the federal district. There is one exception in the concept announced by the Central Bank – the administrative center of the Southern Federal District is still Rostov-on-Don. This district has suffered much more transformations in its history than others. Originally created as “North Caucasian”, it is almost immediately renamed “Yushin”. In 2010, part of the regions was separated from it, uniting them as a new North Caucasian Federal District. But in 2016, the Crimean Peninsula was annexed to it, after joining the Russian Federation it had the status of a separate Federal District. Considering that soon after the release of the 2000 ruble note, Buryatia and the Trans-Baikal Territory are transferred from the Siberian Federal District to the Far East, and Vladivostok becomes the capital of the latter instead of Khabarovsk, seekers of secret meanings predict unpleasant prospects for Rotovates. For example, the loss of the honorary status of the administrative center of the Federal District and its transfer to Sevastopol, depicted on the 200-ruble note.
Reasons and procedure for replacement
The main reason for the introduction of new banknotes from the point of view of the Central Bank is the optimization of cash circulation. The illustration below shows that the improvement in the quality of banknotes was taken as a basis, the implementation of which will be carried out in three directions.
In addition, the Bank of Russia is striving to bring the entire banknote range to a single standard. For example, the 1997 series was developed at a time when the ruble graphic symbol did not yet exist. In the 2017 series, the “₽” symbol is already present (including as a security element). 200 and 2000 rubles have new generation degrees of protection, which have been successfully tested and are to be introduced on the entire new line of paper money in Russia.
The Bank of Russia is far from the only Central Bank that systematically modernizes banknotes. For example, the European Central Bank has already completed the launch of a new lineup, updated between 2013 (€ 5) and 2019. (100 and 200 euros). Withdrawal from circulation not only worn out, but also technologically obsolete banknotes leads to a decrease in the number of counterfeits. Below is a graph of the decline in counterfeit Russian banknotes in circulation.
“The reward does not cover the risk at all. Stealing cash is much more difficult than you imagine, “explains the hero of Danny King’s book” School for Scoundrels “to juvenile delinquents. “Even if you hide the booty in an armored bunker and bury it somewhere in the Swiss Alps, after your release this money will not even be worth the paper on which it is printed … Because every few years the Bank of England changes the design of banknotes. You will get a suitcase of outdated pieces of paper that will not be accepted even on the program “Antique Tours”. Indeed, national banks in many countries of the world use the transition to a new design of settlement notes to cut off surplus money supply, giving the old-style money a certain period of circulation, after which it is not accepted for exchange. However, the Bank of Russia did not limit the circulation period of 1997 banknotes. They will remain a means of payment until they disappear completely from circulation.
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