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Currency of South Ossetia

Zarin
Зæрин (Iron Ossetic)
A 20 Zarin Coin issued in 2013 commemorating South Ossetian Independence
ISO 4217
Codenone
Unit
PluralZariny (ЗæринЫ)
Denominations
Banknotes100 Zarin
Coins20, 25, 35, 50, 100 Zarin
Demographics
User(s) South Ossetia (alongside Russian ruble)

Russia (Only in North Ossetia, alongside Russian ruble)

Abkhazia (Uncommon, alongside Russian ruble and Abkhazian apsar)
Issuance
Central bankNational Bank of the Republic of South Ossetia
MintMoscow Mint
Websitewww.mmint.ru
Valuation
Pegged with1 Z = ₽ 10[1]

The Zarin (Iron Ossetic: Зæринcode: oss promoted to code: os ) is one of the two official currencies of South Ossetia, alongside the Russian ruble. So far, coins in denominations of 20, 25, 35, 50, and 100 Zarin have been issued along with a 100 Zarin banknote in 2025. While the coins and banknotes are legal tender in the Republic of South Ossetia, their usage is limited, and they are mostly made for collectors. In South Ossetia, the Russian ruble is used in practice. The first Zarin coins were introduced in 2013.[2]

The name derives from the Ossetian word for gold, сыгъзӕрин, syghzærin, shortened to зӕрин, zærin, from the Alanic *zærīñæ.

The National Bank of the Republic of South Ossetia is responsible for the Zarin coins, and they have issued several series of coins, including one commemorating Red Army soldiers from the Great Patriotic War and another showing local Ossetian churches.

20, 25, 35 Zarin coins are made of silver; and 50, 100 Zarin coins are made of gold. The Zarin is legal tender in Russia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia.[2]

History

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On August 20, 2025, the National Bank of the Republic of South Ossetia announced the first run of 100 Zarin banknotes commemorating South Ossetia's 35th anniversary on September 20.[3] The bank also stated that South Ossetia would be presenting the 100 Zarin banknote to The Maastricht Numismatic and Bonistic Exhibition, a governing body on Numismatics and Bonistics in The Netherlands and that further bills will be introduced at a later date.[4]

References

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