The date 2009 on this 5 manat note matches the year when the National Bank of Azerbaijan, after the constitutional referendum of 18 March, became the Central Bank of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The denomination’s theme is «Writing and Literature»: the obverse shows books, a quill and an extract from the national anthem. On the reverse, next to a stylised map symbolising Azerbaijan’s integration into Europe, are the rock signs of Gobustan and the Orkhon-Yenisei alphabet.

The watermark shows a book and a quill, and the numeral shifts from gold to green when tilted. The series was designed by the Austrian Robert Kalina, author of the euro banknotes.

In an Azerbaijan collection this is the first design of the «Independent Azerbaijan» series bearing the year in which the issuer was renamed. For a thematic set on «writing and books on banknotes» it offers a design where the rock signs of Gobustan sit beside the Orkhon-Yenisei alphabet. UNC condition means the note has never circulated: no folds, no wear, no soiling, even corners — just as it left the press.

You can find companions for this banknote, by series or by year of issue, in the VPcoins catalogue.