The Uzbekistani Som, abbreviated as UZS, emerged from the significant economic shifts following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Introduced in 1994, it replaced the Soviet Ruble as the nation’s legal tender in a remarkable illustration of Uzbekistan’s nascent independence. The Som’s name itself is derived from the word “Som,” which means “pure” in many Turkic languages, signifying purity and authenticity—a nod to its embrace of a new identity.

An intriguing aspect of the Som is its high face value denominations, such as the 50,000 Som note, partly due to historical hyperinflation. This denomination reflects the economic journey Uzbekistan has undergone as it transitions toward stabilization and growth—an evolving story behind each note in circulation today.