GEL Currency Denominations and Symbols Explained
Author:XTransfer2025.08.19GEL
People in Georgia use the Georgian Lari for money every day. The gel currency has coins and banknotes. The coins are 5, 10, 20, and 50 tetri. There are also 1 and 2 lari coins. Banknotes you can find are 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 lari. 1 and 2 lari notes are not common. The table below shows these amounts:
|
Currency Unit |
Denominations in Circulation |
|
Coins |
5, 10, 20, 50 Tetri; 1, 2 Lari |
|
Banknotes |
5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 Lari |
The gel currency uses the ₾ lari symbol. This symbol comes from the Georgian letter ლ. People see this symbol with the currency code GEL. Knowing these symbols and values helps people use money in Georgia. Travelers and locals can feel sure when handling money.
Highlights
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The Georgian Lari (GEL) has coins and banknotes with clear values. The ₾ symbol comes from the Georgian letter ლ.
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Coins are called tetri (5, 10, 20, 50) and lari (1, 2). Each coin has a special design. These designs show Georgian culture and history.
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Banknotes have common values like 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 lari. They have strong security features to stop fake money.
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Always look for security marks on banknotes. These include watermarks, security threads, and raised printing. This helps you know the money is real.
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Using digital exchange services helps travelers get better rates. It also helps avoid extra fees when changing money to GEL.
GEL Currency Symbol
₾ Symbol
The Georgian lari uses the ₾ symbol. This symbol comes from the Georgian letter ლ, called "Lasi." Designers picked this letter because it starts the word "lari" in Georgian. The symbol looks simple and modern. Two lines cross the main line, so it stands out. People see the lari symbol on price tags, receipts, and bank papers. It helps everyone spot the gel currency fast.
The lari symbol gives the gel currency its own look. It makes the Georgian lari different from other money. Many people think the symbol is easy to write and read. The design is like other money symbols, such as $, €, and £. This makes it easy for travelers and locals to know. The lari symbol helps people trust and understand money deals.
Usage and Unicode
People use the ₾ symbol all over Georgia. It shows up on official papers, like Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy pages online. These papers list Georgia with the GEL code and the ₾ symbol. This shows the gel currency is used in print and online. Businesses, banks, and government offices use the symbol to show prices in Georgian lari.
The Unicode for the lari symbol is U+20BE. This code lets computers and phones show the symbol right. People can type the symbol on most new devices or copy and paste it. The gel currency symbol is in money apps, online stores, and banking apps. This helps people in Georgia and visitors see prices and values fast.
The gel currency symbol helps everyone know and use the Georgian lari. Its clear look and strong digital support help people avoid mistakes and make good money choices.
GEL Coin Denominations
Tetri Coins
Tetri coins are the smaller coins in Georgia’s money. People can find 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 tetri coins. But 1 and 2 tetri coins are not used much. Most stores and banks give change with 5, 10, 20, and 50 tetri coins. Each coin has its own special design. These designs show things from Georgian culture and history.
The table below lists what the tetri coins look like and their designs:
|
Denomination |
Mass (g) |
Diameter (mm) |
Thickness (mm) |
Composition |
Obverse Design |
Reverse Design |
|
1 tetri |
1.38 |
15 |
1.25 |
Stainless steel |
Borjgali (sun symbol) above Tree of Life, 1993 date, "REPUBLIC OF GEORGIA" in Georgian and English |
"1 თეთრი" (1 tetri), grape clusters, ornamental border |
|
2 tetri |
2.0 |
17 |
1.25 |
Stainless steel |
Grapevine symbol |
"2 თეთრი" (2 tetri), grape clusters |
|
5 tetri |
2.5 |
19 |
1.35 |
Copper-nickel |
Traditional Georgian cross-stone (khachkar) |
"5 თეთრი" (5 tetri), stylized border |
|
10 tetri |
3.0 |
21 |
1.45 |
Copper-nickel |
Georgian alphabet script |
"10 თეთრი" (10 tetri), decorative elements |
|
20 tetri |
3.5 |
23 |
1.55 |
Copper-nickel |
Borjgali symbol (sun with seven wings) |
"20 თეთრი" (20 tetri), ornamental border |
|
50 tetri |
4.0 |
25 |
1.65 |
Copper-nickel |
Svetitskhoveli Cathedral |
"50 თეთრი" (50 tetri), cathedral motif |
Designers picked symbols like Borjgali and grapevines for these coins. These pictures show Georgia’s old traditions. The 50 tetri coin shows the Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. This building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These coins help people learn about Georgia’s past every day.
Lari Coins
Lari coins are worth more than tetri coins. The main lari coins are 1 lari and 2 lari. These coins are bigger and made with special materials. They also have extra security features.
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The 1 lari coin has two metals. It shows St. George fighting a dragon. This stands for bravery and pride.
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The 2 lari coin also has two metals. It shows Queen Tamar, a famous ruler in Georgia.
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Both coins have the national coat of arms on one side. The other side shows the coin’s value.
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Security features include tiny writing, words in two languages, and special edges.
Lari coins use different metals in the middle and around the edge. This makes them hard to copy and easy to spot. The designs mix national symbols with new security. This makes lari coins special in Georgia’s money.
|
Denomination |
Design Features |
|
1 lari |
Bi-metallic; Borjgali symbol; St. George motif; national emblem; denomination |
|
2 lari |
Bi-metallic; Queen Tamar portrait; national emblem; denomination |
People use lari coins every day to buy things and pay for rides. The strong designs and security help stop fake coins. These coins show how important Georgia’s identity is.
Georgia’s money system uses both tetri and lari coins for all payments. Each coin shares a part of Georgia’s story and values. The different coins help everyone use money easily and safely.
Lari Banknotes
Banknote Values
People in Georgia use lari banknotes to buy things every day. The banknotes you can find are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 lari. Most people use the 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 lari notes in stores. The 1 and 2 lari notes are not seen much because coins are used instead. The 200 lari note is the biggest and is not used often.
The National Bank of Georgia made some lari banknotes better and safer. In 2017, the 5 lari note got new security features. Both the old and new 5 lari notes are still used. The 20, 50, and 100 lari notes were also improved to be safer. The newest 100 lari note came out in 2020 with the best security. These changes help keep the money safe and make people trust it more.
Banknote Features
Lari banknotes are special because they have strong security and cool designs. Each note shows famous Georgians, symbols, and scenes from history. The notes have words in both English and Georgian, so everyone can read them.
Some important security features on lari banknotes are:
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Windowed security threads with words or numbers inside.
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Watermarks that show faces of famous Georgians and numbers.
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Holographic stripes on the 200 lari note that shine and change color.
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LOOK technology uses lasers to make special effects on the paper.
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PEAK mixes printing and embossing, so you can feel raised parts.
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FITmedal gives the notes a 3D look with engraved lines.
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Solid security threads run through the paper to stop fakes.
Experts say the 200 lari note is one of the safest in the world. It uses PEAK, FITmedal, and LOOK to make copying very hard. These features help people know if a lari note is real or fake.
Designers picked bright colors and detailed pictures for each note. The 20 lari note shows Shota Rustaveli, a famous poet. The 50 lari note has Queen Tamar. The 100 lari note shows Ilia Chavchavadze, a writer. Each note has English and Georgian writing, so everyone knows the value and details.
People in Georgia trust their money because of these strong security features and clear designs. Lari banknotes help share Georgia’s culture and history with everyone who uses them.
Genuine GEL
Security Features
Genuine Georgian money uses many features to keep it safe. The National Bank of Georgia adds special details to both coins and banknotes. These details help people trust the money they use every day.
Coins have different metals and colors. The 1 and 2 lari coins use two types of metal. This makes them hard to copy. Each coin has tiny writing and special edges. People can feel the edges and see the designs. These features help stop fake coins from spreading.
Banknotes use many layers of protection. Each note has a watermark. People can see the watermark when they hold the note up to the light. Banknotes also have security threads. These threads run through the paper and show the value of the note. Some notes have shiny stripes that change color. Raised printing lets people feel the surface. These features make it easy to check if a note is real.
Spotting Fakes
People can spot fake money by looking for missing features. Real coins feel heavy and have sharp designs. If a coin feels light or looks blurry, it may be fake. The two-color look of lari coins is hard to copy. People should check the edge for tiny writing.
Banknotes should have clear watermarks and security threads. If a note feels too smooth or the colors look wrong, it could be fake. People can tilt the note to see if the shiny stripe changes color. Raised printing should feel rough. If any of these features are missing, the note may not be real.
A careful check helps everyone avoid fake money. People who know what to look for can feel safe when using GEL. These steps protect buyers and sellers in every transaction.
GEL Reference
Denominations Table
People in Georgia need to know the value of their money. The central bank gives out all the official coins and banknotes. The table below shows the main lari coins and notes, their symbols, and how people use them:
|
Type |
Denomination |
Symbol |
Common Use |
|
Coin |
1 tetri |
1 თ |
Rare |
|
Coin |
2 tetri |
2 თ |
Rare |
|
Coin |
5 tetri |
5 თ |
Small purchases |
|
Coin |
10 tetri |
10 თ |
Small purchases |
|
Coin |
20 tetri |
20 თ |
Change |
|
Coin |
50 tetri |
50 თ |
Change |
|
Coin |
1 lari |
1 ₾ |
Everyday use |
|
Coin |
2 lari |
2 ₾ |
Everyday use |
|
Banknote |
5 lari |
5 ₾ |
Common |
|
Banknote |
10 lari |
10 ₾ |
Common |
|
Banknote |
20 lari |
20 ₾ |
Common |
|
Banknote |
50 lari |
50 ₾ |
Common |
|
Banknote |
100 lari |
100 ₾ |
Large purchases |
|
Banknote |
200 lari |
200 ₾ |
Rare, savings |
The central bank makes sure these coins and notes stay the same. This helps keep Georgia’s money safe and steady. People trust the lari because the central bank controls how much is made and what it looks like.
Conversion Tips
The value of lari compared to other money changes a lot. The central bank updates the exchange rate every minute. This helps people know the newest rates. Here is a table with some current rates:
|
Currency Pair |
Current Rate |
Update Frequency |
|
1 lari to USD |
0.3691 USD |
Every 1 minute |
|
USD to EUR |
0.8555 EUR |
Real-time |
People should always check the exchange rate before changing money. The central bank says digital exchange services are better for good rates and less waiting. These services help people avoid long lines and big fees.
Here are some easy tips for exchanging money:
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Use digital exchange apps for quick and fair rates.
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Look at the mid-market rate to save money.
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Check rates from different places in Georgia.
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Exchange your money when the rate is good.
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Try services like Wise for sending money abroad.
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Watch out for extra fees at banks or airports.
If people follow these tips, they can save money and avoid trouble. The central bank works to keep the lari strong, so everyone can trust their money. Good exchange choices and clear rates help Georgia’s economy stay safe.
Knowing about the lari helps people use money well in Georgia. The table below lists the main types and symbols you will see:
|
Denomination Type |
Values / Notes |
|
Subunits |
100 tetri make one lari |
|
Coins |
5, 10, 20, 50 tetri; 1 and 2 lari coins (1 and 2 tetri coins stopped after 2021) |
|
Banknotes (commonly used) |
₾5, ₾10, ₾20, ₾50, ₾100 |
|
Banknotes (rarely used) |
₾1, ₾2, ₾200 |
The Georgian lari symbol (₾) shows power and trust. People should look for security marks on every lari note and coin. Travelers can get more info from the National Bank of Georgia or the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi. Learning about the lari helps everyone use money safely and easily.
FAQ
What does the ₾ symbol mean?
The ₾ symbol is for the Georgian lari. It comes from the letter ლ in Georgian. People use this symbol to show prices in Georgia. The symbol helps everyone know it is the local money.
Are 1 and 2 tetri coins still accepted?
Shops do not use 1 and 2 tetri coins much. Most people do not see these coins every day. But they are still legal tender. The National Bank of Georgia says they are still real money.
How can someone check if a lari banknote is real?
A real lari banknote has watermarks and security threads. It also has raised printing you can feel. If you tilt the note, the color changes. Feeling the note and looking for clear pictures helps find fakes. These steps keep buyers and sellers safe.
Can travelers use foreign currency in Georgia?
Most shops and restaurants only take Georgian lari. Travelers must exchange their money for GEL. Currency exchange offices and banks can help with this. Using GEL makes shopping and travel easier for everyone.
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