1993 Mongolia 1 Tögrög Banknote – P‑52a
A Post‑Soviet Transitional Issue Featuring the Mongolian Lion & Traditional National Motifs
The 1993 Mongolia 1 Tögrög banknote (Pick 52a) is part of the first fully redesigned currency series issued after Mongolia’s transition from a socialist republic to a democratic state in the early 1990s. According to the MongolBank official listings, the 1993 1 Tögrög features a lion on the obverse, representing strength, guardianship, and national identity.
This note is the lowest denomination of the 1993 series and is widely collected for its bold traditional artwork, cultural symbolism, and its role in Mongolia’s early post‑communist monetary reforms.
Key Features & Catalogue Details
Attribute Details
Country Mongolia
Issuer Bank of Mongolia (MongolBank)
Denomination 1 Tögrög
Year of Issue 1993
Pick Number P‑52a
Series 1993 Tögrög Issue
Material Paper
Dimensions Standard small‑format low denomination
Watermark None (typical for low‑value notes of the series)
Printer State‑approved security printer (series‑standard)
Theme National symbolism & traditional Mongolian motifs
Design Overview
Obverse – The Mongolian Lion
Features a stylised lion, a traditional guardian figure in Mongolian culture.
Strong geometric patterns and traditional border designs frame the central motif.
Printed in brown and red tones, typical of the low denominations of the 1993 issue.
The lion symbolises protection, courage, and the safeguarding of the Mongolian state — a fitting emblem during a period of national transition.
Reverse – National Ornamentation
Displays traditional Mongolian decorative patterns, reflecting the country’s nomadic artistic heritage.
Clean, symmetrical layout with bold linework characteristic of early‑1990s Mongolian design.
Historical Context
The 1993 Tögrög series marked Mongolia’s first major currency redesign after the fall of the socialist government in 1990. These notes replaced earlier communist‑era issues and introduced a modernised aesthetic rooted in national identity rather than Soviet‑influenced iconography.
The 1 Tögrög note represents:
The beginning of Mongolia’s modern monetary era
A shift toward cultural symbolism and national pride
A low‑value note that circulated widely during the early 1990s economic reforms
Today, it stands as an accessible yet historically meaningful piece for collectors.
