Russian Central Bank issues commemorative banknote
The Russian Central Bank (RCB) issued today a commemorative hundred ruble banknote for the upcoming World Cup, which will start on June 14th and will be contested in eleven cities and twelve stadiums throughout the country.
On the front side of the banknote, made in blue and green tones, a child who dreams of emulating the feat of the legendary Soviet goalkeeper Lev Yashin is observed, seeing him flying in pursuit of a ball.
"For the first time, a (Russian) banknote bears the portrait of a person who is not the head of state," said Arkadi Trachuk, director of Goznak (Mint) of Russia, at a press conference.
The back side of the banknote bears an imprinted football flying in space, representing Earth, highlighting the map of Russia, and below, the names of the eleven host cities of the World Cup.
"This banknote has been made based on a polymer. It is the first time we have used this new technology, which has yielded good results," said Olga Skorobogatova, vice governor of the RCB.
She added that by the end of this month, this numismatic novelty will be available in all regions of the country.
According to the RCB, it is planned to issue up to 20.4 million units of the commemorative World Cup banknote.