DE LA RUE DESIGN WINS BANKNOTE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Commemorative Kazakhstan 10,000 Tenge note wins the prestigious International Bank Note Society annual award

London: June 19, 2012: Commemorative Kazakhstan 10,000 Tenge note designed by the world’s largest integrated commercial banknote printer, De La Rue and the National Bank of Kazakhstan, has won the 2011 International Bank Note Society Banknote of the year award.

Issued in July 2011 to celebrate 20 years of independence, this high denomination banknote from the National Bank of Kazakhstan was designed by the Bank, working in close collaboration with De La Rue’s world class design team. The note was printed in the National Bank’s state-of-the-art banknote factory in Almaty, a main business centre in Kazakhstan located in the south of the country. 

The note depicts the Kazakh Eli monument, the National Emblem and the National Flag on the front, along with images of doves flying. The Residence of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the emblem of 20 years of independence and commemorative text can be seen on the reverse. The design is complemented by a wide range of world class security features including an Optiks™ security thread along with StripeChrome™ and SPARK™ security ink.  The banknote contrasts many other currencies in having a portrait orientation for one side of the note and a more traditional landscape on the other.

This is not the first time that the distinctive banknote designs of the National Bank have received recognition. In 2007 its 10,000 Tenge circulating banknote won the International Association of Currency Affairs award for the Best New Banknote.  Chief Designer Mendybai Alin is known worldwide for his individual design style and exciting creative vision.  Commenting on the award, Mr Alin said “I am delighted once again to see a Kazakhstan note win approval from the international banknote community”.

Working closely with Mr Alin was the design team at De La Rue.  Designer Steve Pond who collaborated with Mr Alin commented: “Working so closely with a national designer gives me a much greater insight into the culture and essence of a country than I could achieve through working alone. I am sure our close collaboration was an important factor in enabling us to win this award.”

“This is the ninth design award that De La Rue has won in the past five years, a record of which the company is justifiably proud.”