Russia to print Olympic banknotes

Tula (Russia) - Russia’s central bank announced Tuesday it is to start printing commemorative Olympic banknotes in March.

“Soon in Sochi, in Krasnaya Polyana, we will present the 100 ruble Olympic banknote,” said bank’s First Deputy Chairman Georgy Luntovsky.

“The banknote will be beautiful,” he said, refusing to elaborate on its design except to say it would differ in colour from the regular red 100 ruble note.

The first country to issue Olympic-themed currency was China in 2008, when the Bird’s Nest stadium and ancient Greek discus thrower statue, the Diskobolus of Myron, were emblazoned across a 10 yuan note.

A hundred rubles is equal to about $3.30, and is the third note denomination after the 10-ruble and 50-ruble note.

Russians also use purple 500 ruble notes, light blue 1,000 ruble notes and the orange 5,000 ruble ($165) notes issued in 2006.