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Chinese coins were imported into Mongolia during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). From then until 1925, Mongolia relied upon imported Chinese coins for their currency.

In the 1200s Genghis Khan (Temujin) united the Mongol tribes and established a huge empire that stretched westward across Asia. A grandson, Kublai Khan (reigned 1259-1294) established the Mongol dynasty that ruled over China. The last great Mongol leader was Ligdan Khan (reigned 1604-1634), who united many Mongol tribes to defend their homeland against the rising power of the Manchu dynasty. After he died, the Manchus subdued the Mongols and present-day Mongolia became part of China. Mongolia was founded as a separate country from China on December 1, 1911. It was briefly annexed to China from February 19, 1920 until February 3, 1921, and the Sino-Soviet Treaty of May 31, 1924 recognized Mongolia an integral part of the Republic of China, though this suzerainty ceased in 1945. The Mongolian People's Republic was officially proclaimed on 26 November 1924.

Mongolia was part of the Chinese Empire and used Chinese Tael (CNT) and Yuan (CND) until 1921. In March 1915, Mongolia adopted the Tugrik (MNT) at par with the Russian Ruble by issuing a silver coin of the same weight as the Ruble. Russian Silver Rubles (RUES) also circulated. The government began issuing banknotes in 1921. The Mongolian Tugrikâ's value was set at 1 Mongolian Tugrik = 1.314 Soviet Rubles in December 1925, at par in 1927, and at 4.444 Mongolian Tugrik = 1 Soviet Ruble on January 1, 1961.

The Tugrik remained linked to the Russian Ruble until 1961 when Mongolia chose not to devalue its currency in line with the Russian Ruble. The Tugrik is divisible into 100 Mongo. Banknotes were issued by the Treasury from 1921 until 1925, by the Commercial and Industrial bank from 1925 until 1955, by the State Bank of Mongolia from 1955 until 1981, and by the Mongol Bank from 1981 on.

1 Tugrik (Tukhrik) = 100 Mongo

This note is a 1 Tugrik note dated 1955. The note is black and brown on pale brown-orange and multicolored underprint. The obverse features Damdin Sukhbaatar (along with Khorloin Choibalsan, was a Mongolian Communist leader in the fight for freedom from the Japanese in 1921) to the right and the Socialist Coat-of-Arms to the left. The reverse is dark brown text on pale brown-orange and multicolored underprint and shows an ornate design with the denomination on eaither side.

• Krause# Pick-28

Here is 10 Mongo coinage note printed in 1993. This note is red-violet on pale red-orange underprint. The image of 2 archers are to the center of both the obverse and reverse. The obverse also features "Soemba" arms. If anyone can tell me what the word soemba translates into, please contact me.

• Krause# Pick-49

This note is a 20 Mongo conage note printed in 1993. This note also bears the 'Soemba' arms feature on the obverse. The note is brown on ochre and yellow-brown underprint. The image of 2 athletes are to the center of both the obverse and reverse.

• Krause# Pick-50

Here is a 50 Mongo coinage note printed in 1993. This note is greenish-black on blue and pale green underprint. The 2 sides again share an image, this time of 2 horsemen, and the 'Soemba' arms.

• Krause# Pick-51

Here is an undated 1 Tugrik note printed in 1993. The note is dull olive-green and brown-orange on ochre underprint. The obverse features a stylized Chinze (or Chinthe) in and surrounded by an ornate design. A Chinthe is a leogryph (lion-like creature) that is often seen at the entrances of pagodas and temples in Burma and other Southeast Asian countries. The reverse depicts a geometric design surrounding soemba arms. The note carries a watermark depicting Genghis Khan.

• Krause# Pick-52

Here is a 5 Tugrik note that is undated, but printed in 1993. The note is deep orange, ochre and brown on multicolored underprint. The obverse features soemba arms and a youthful portrait of Damdin Sukhbaatar. Suhkbaatar was a Mongolian military leader in the 1921 revolution. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in Mongolia's struggle for independence. The reverse shows a Mongolian mountainous landscape with grazing horses. There is a watermark present on this note of Genghis Khan.

• Krause# Pick-53

This 10 Tugrik note is undated but printed in 1993. The note is green, blue and light green on multicolored underprint. The obverse features soemba arms and a youthful portrait of Damdin Sukhbaatar. Sukhbaatar literally meaning "Axe hero" in the Mongolian language. The reverse shows a Mongolian mountainous landscape with grazing horses. The watermark on this note is Genghis Khan.

• Krause# Pick-54

This undated note is denominated at 20 Tugrik and was printed in 1993. The note is Violet, orange and red on multicolor underprint. The obverse features soemba arms and a youthful portrait of Damdin Sukhbaatar. In Sukhbaatar's honor, Mongolia's capital was renamed Ulaanbaatar ("Red Hero") in 1924. The reverse shows a Mongolian mountainous landscape with grazing horses. There is a watermark on this note of Genghis Khan.

• Krause# Pick-55

Here is a 10 Tugrik note dated 2002. The note is dark green on multicolor underprint. The obverse features soemba arms and a youthful portrait of Damdin Sukhbaatar. Sukhbaatar's widow Yanjmaa went on to serve in a number of senior positions in the Mongolian government, including acting President. The reverse shows a Mongolian mountainous landscape with grazing horses. The watermark on this note is Genghis Khan.

• Krause# Pick-62

This is a 10 Tugrik coinage note dated 2005. This note is green, blue and light green on multicolored underprint. The obverse features an image of the 1920's war hero Sukhe-Bator, who helped lead many battles in the fight for liberation from the Chinese, dieing in Febuary 1923 at the age of 33. On January 5th, 1946 China recognized Mongolian independence. Soemba arms are shown to the center of the obverse, and horses grazing in a mountainous landscape is shown on the reverse.

• Krause# Pick-62

Here is a 2002 dated 20 Tugrik note. The note is multicolored. The obverse features soemba arms and a youthful portrait of Damdin Sukhbaatar. Suhkbaatar was a Mongolian military leader in the 1921 revolution. He is remembered as one of the most important figures in Mongolia's struggle for independence. The reverse shows a Mongolian mountainous landscape with grazing horses. There is a watermark present on this note of Genghis Khan.

• Krause# Pick-63

Here is a 20 Tugrik note dated 2005. The note is multicolored. The obverse features an image of the 1920's war hero Damdin Sukhbaatar, who helped lead many battles in the fight for liberation from the Chinese, dieing in Febuary 1923 at the age of 33. On January 5th, 1946 China recognized Mongolian independence. Soemba arms are shown to the center of the obverse, and horses grazing in a mountainous landscape is shown on the reverse. The watermark on this note shows Genghis Khan.

• Krause# Pick-63

This note is a 50 Tugrik note dated 2000. The note is brown-gold. The obverse features soemba arms and a youthful portrait of Damdin Sukhbaatar. In Sukhbaatar's honor, Mongolia's capital was renamed Ulaanbaatar ("Red Hero") in 1924. Soemba arms are shown to the center of the obverse, and horses grazing in a mountainous landscape is shown on the reverse.

• Krause# Pick-64

• Krause# Pick-