Agency: Thimphu, Bhutan – In this momentous celebration of legacy, leadership, and profound national reverence, the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan will introduce a new series of currency banknotes on November 12th 2025 to commemorate the 70th auspicious Birth Anniversary of His Majesty the Fourth Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the visionary monarch who steered Bhutan into a modern constitutional democracy.
The New Generation of Ngultrum Banknotes are with latest security features and are recyclable, sustainable and more durable compared to paper substrate which does not last long.
For this reasons many nations now opt for polymer instead of paper substrate.
Meanwhile, all series of ngultrum issued earlier shall remain as legal tender.
In short there will be no expiry dates on current and old notes and they can be used for years and decades to come.
This new currency series is not merely a legal tender but a gallery of national heritage, a tapestry woven with threads of history, spirituality, and the enduring legacy of the Wangchuck Dynasty.
Each denomination tells a story, capturing the essence of Bhutan’s journey from a unified kingdom under a visionary founder to a nation globally revered for its philosophy of Gross National Happiness.
The highest denomination pays homage to the roots of the monarchy. The obverse of the Nu. 1000 note features a dignified portrait of His Majesty King Ugyen Wangchuck, the first King of Bhutan, seated against the Wheel of the Universal Ruler. He is adorned with the sacred Raven Crown, a direct inheritance from his father, Desi Jigme Namgyel, symbolizing the unbroken lineage and the consolidation of the nation.
The reverse design is a powerful depiction of Trongsa Dzong, the ancestral seat of the Wangchuck dynasty and the historical home of the Trongsa Penlop. Flanking this architectural marvel are the Seal of the State and a pair of great hornbills, representing the rich biodiversity
of the kingdom. The sky above the dzong comes alive with mythical protectors—dragons and the Garuda—warding off negative forces and watching over the nation, just as the kings have for generations.