Cambodia has issued many banknotes since its first issue in 1955, and there have been several different denominations made available for circulation. Collecting rare Cambodia banknotes offers a wide variety of possibilities despite the relatively short history of banknotes in the Khmer country. When buying Cambodian banknotes for your collection it pays to understand what exists in the marketplace, and why.
Cambodian banknote issues
Cambodia has prepared thirteen different issues of its riel banknotes since its first in 1955. The issues have, overall, featured eighteen different denominations (three as fractional riel amounts, with 1 riel = 10 kak.) The different issues and their denominations are:
- First issue (1955-1956): 1 riel, 5 riels, 10 riels, 50 riels
- Second issue (1956): 1 riel, 20 riels, 50 riels, 100 riels, 500 riels
- Third issue (1963): 5 riels, 10 riels, 100 riels
- Fourth issue (1972): 100 riels, 500 riels, 1,000 riels, 5,000 riels
- Fifth issue (1975): 1 kak, 5 kak, 1 riel, 5 riels, 10 riels, 50 riels, 100 riels (these notes were never issued publicly)
- Sixth issue (1979): 1 kak, 2 kak, 5 kak, 1 riel, 5 riels, 10 riels, 20 riels, 50 riels
- Seventh issue (1987): 5 riels, 10 riels
- Eighth issue (1990-1992): 50 riels, 100 riels, 500 riels
- Ninth issue (1992-1993): 200 riels, 1,000 riels, 2,000 riels
- Tenth issue (1995): 1,000 riels, 2,000 riels, 5,000 riels, 10,000 riels, 20,000 riels, 50,000 riels, 100,000 riels
- Eleventh issue (1995-1999): 100 riels, 200 riels, 500 riels, 1,000 riels
- Twelfth issue (2001-2005): 50 riels, 100 riels, 500 riels, 1,000 riels, 5,000 riels, 10,000 riels, 50,000 riels
- Thirteenth issue (2007-2013): 1,000 riels, 2,000 riels, 20,000 riels, 100,000 riels
Some of the notes that were prepared — and printed in significant quantities — were not actually released for use by the public. Notably, the entire Khmer Rouge’s 1975 fifth issue was held back because the regime abolished the monetary system after the bills were printed.
1955-6 (1st issue)
The Kingdom of Cambodia’s first banknote issue was a series of four undated notes released in 1955 and 1956. The denominations of the notes were 1 riel, 5 riels, 10 riels, and 50 riels. The notes were designed with Khmer script and, occasionally, French. Specimens and other collectibles exist for this initial run of Cambodian banknotes.
1956 (2nd issue)
The second set of Cambodian banknotes came in 1956. These notes were, as those of the first issue, undated. The second issue continued the 1 riel and 50 riel notes of the first, and added some new denominations in its 20-riel, 100-riel, and 500-riel banknotes. Also copying a design element from the first series, this second issue featured banknotes with both Khmer script and the occasional French phrase (as in the face value, for example). There are several variations in the second series of banknotes, with different signatures showing on different notes. The 500-riel note of this issue was withdrawn in 1970 due to problems with counterfeit notes.
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1963 (3rd issue)
Cambodia issued a third set of banknotes in 1963, which were undated, following the precedent set by its first and second issues. The third series revived the 5-riel and 10-riel banknotes of the first series, and the 100-riel notes of the second series. There are several variations in signatures on these notes, and collectors may be able to find specimen notes and various other interesting items for sale in the marketplace online.
1972 (4th issue)
Cambodia designed and printed four new banknotes for its fourth issue in 1972, all denominated in riels; however, only one of these, the 500-riel note, was actually released to the public. The others — valued at 100 riels, 1,000 riels, and 5,000 riels (the latter two being totally new banknote values for the country) — were not issued and are the subject of special attention from collectors now.
This time marked the beginning of a turbulent era of Cambodian history, as the Khmer Rouge would gain power soon afterwards and abolish all money.
1975 (5th issue) (unissued)
The Khmer Rouge of Cambodia had several banknotes designed and printed in 1975, which were to be the fifth issue in the country’s paper money history. But after abolishing the monetary system altogether, the regime would not end up actually issuing the notes to the public. For obvious reasons, these notes can be highly collectible, and fortunately not too expensive.
Specimens and other special examples of the unissued fifth series of Cambodian banknotes may appeal to other collectors. In 1979, the sixth issue would be the first banknotes released to the public after the Khmer Rouge era. The unissued Khmer Rouge banknotes included the country’s first fractional riel paper money — 1 kak and 5 kak notes (worth .1 riel and .5 riel, respectively). Also part of the issue were notes of 1 riel, 5 riels, 10 riels, 50 riels, and 100 riels.
1979 (6th issue)
After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia (under the rule of the Vietnamese) issued the first new banknotes to its people in several years, denominated in riels, as the sixth issue (1979). These notes featured the first fractional riel notes actually used by the public (1 riel = 10 kak; such notes included 1-kak, 2-kak, and 5-kak pieces). Other notes in the sixth issue included those with face values of 1 riel, 5 riels, 10 riels, 20 riels, and 50 riels. This would be the final appearance of 20-riel banknotes in Cambodia, and the final appearance of the fractional kak notes and the 1-riel as well.
1987 (7th issue)
Cambodia’s seventh banknote issue came in 1987, the first since 1979’s sixth issue, and included only two denominations: 5 riels and 10 riels. Both of these notes would be discontinued in later issues, and so the notes of the sevenths issue are the last chance for collectors to find Cambodian paper money with these face values.
1990-2 (8th issue)
Cambodia issued several new banknotes from 1990 to 1992 which are collectively known as the country’s eighth issue. Three different values were made for the eighth issue: 50 riels, 100 riels, and 500 riels. Of these, only the 100- and 500-riel notes remain in general circulation, though not necessarily of this era.
1992-3 (9th issue)
The ninth issue of Cambodian banknotes consisted of three different notes from 1992 and 1993: 200 riels, 1,000 riels, and 2,000 riels. Of these, however, only the 200-riel notes, the first of their kind, were actually issued to the general public. Collectors can find examples of the others, including some rare specimens and other interesting collectibles, in the current marketplace. The ninth issue followed the eighth issue of the directly preceding years, and would be followed in 1995 by the tenth issue, when large-denomination riel notes (in the thousands of riels) would finally be introduced in significant numbers.
1995 (10th issue)
The tenth issue of Cambodian banknotes in 1995 was a key point in the history of Khmer paper money: it was the first time that the modern large-denomination riel notes would be not only designed and printed, but actually issued to the public. Tenth-issue notes included money valued at 1,000 riels, 2,000 riels, 5,000 riels, 10,000 riels, 20,000 riels, 50,000 riels, and even 100,000 riels. Of these, the latter four were the highest riel notes ever used in Cambodia, and the 2,000 notes were used for the first time (after equal-value notes of the ninth issue were not released for the public).
1995-9 (11th issue)
Cambodia spent the years from 1995 to 1999 revisiting some of the smaller-riel denominations of the past, after the tenth issue of 1995 introduced banknotes over 1,000 riels to the public for the first time in the country’s paper money history. In this eleventh issue, notes of 100 riels, 200 riels, 500 riels, and 1,000 riels (again, as in the tenth issue) were printed and released. Of these, all may still be seen in circulation.
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2001-5 (12th issue)
From 2001 to 2005, Cambodia released what is known as the twelfth issue of its riel banknotes. An ambitious time for Khmer paper money, this twelfth issue included several different denominations: 50 riels, 100 riels, 500 riels, 1,000 riels, 5,000 riels, 10,000 riels, and 50,000 riels. Of these, only the 50-riel note has fallen out of favor. Many of the notes from this era are rare and of interest to buyers and collectors of Cambodian banknotes of all types.
2007-13 (13th issue)
From 2007 to 2013, Cambodia released a few updated banknotes with its riel unit of currency as the thirteenth issue in the nation’s banknote history. The lucky thirteenth includes paper currency of 1,000 riels, 2,000 riels, 20,000 riels, and 100,000 riels. Many of these notes have special variations and interesting specimens and other rare examples that can appeal to many different types of Cambodian paper money collectors.
Cambodia banknotes by face value
Cambodia has issued banknotes in 18 different denominations over the years; most have been in the country’s main unit of currency the riel, but there have been fractional banknotes in kak (1 riel = 10 kak).
In order of face value, the various denominations of Cambodian banknotes have been released in the issues of the following years:
- 1 kak (.1 riel): 1975, 1979
- 2 kak (.2 riel): 1979
- 5 kak (.5 riel): 1975, 1979
- 1 riel: 1955-6, 1956, 1975, 1979
- 5 riels: 1955-6, 1963, 1975, 1979, 1987
- 10 riels: 1955-6, 1963, 1975, 1979, 1987
- 20 riels: 1956, 1979
- 50 riels: 1955-6, 1956, 1975, 1979, 1990-2, 2001-5
- 100 riels: 1956, 1963, 1972, 1975, 1990-2, 1995-9, 2001-5
- 200 riels: 1992-3, 1995-9
- 500 riels: 1956, 1972, 1990-2, 1995-9, 2001-5
- 1,000 riels: 1972, 1992-3, 1995, 1995-9, 2001-5, 2007-13
- 2,000 riels: 1992-3, 1995, 2007-13
- 5,000 riels: 1972, 1995, 2001-5
- 10,000 riels: 1995, 2001-5
- 20,000 riels: 1995, 2007-13
- 50,000 riels: 1995, 2001-5
- 100,000 riels: 1995, 2007-13
1-kak Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia printed banknotes with a face value of 1 kak (1/10 of a riel) twice in the 1970s. The first 1-kak banknote was made in 1975 by the Khmer Rouge, but (as with all notes of that issue) they were never actually released to the public since the Khmer Rouge outlawed money. Collectors can find these KR 1-kak notes, however, for sale. The next series of banknotes came at the end of the Khmer Rouge’s reign, in 1979. These 1-kak banknotes were actually released to and used by the public, and also can be found for sale in the collectors’ marketplace.
2-kak Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia released a 2 kak banknote (a.k.a. .2 riels) only once, in their sixth issue of 1979 after the fall of the Khmer Rouge. The 2-kak notes are colored green-grey. Although this denomination was only used once by Cambodia, specimens and proofs and other collectible examples of the 1979 2-kak banknotes can usually be found for sale to collectors in the marketplace at any given time.
5-kak Cambodia banknotes
The Cambodian 5 kak banknote (1/2 of a riel) has been planned for use twice, in the country’s fifth banknote issue of 1975, and the sixth issue of 1979. The 1975 issue, printed by the Khmer Rouge before the regime ended up outlawing the monetary system altogether, was never actually issued to the public. Examples can certainly be found for sale among collectors without too much trouble.
The second time the 5 kak banknote was made was 1979, and this time it was actually released and used in general circulation. After this issue, half-riel paper money was discontinued in Cambodia, so buyers must look to the online marketplace to see the best selection of 5 kak banknotes for sale.
1-riel Cambodia banknotes
The basic 1-riel banknote of Cambodia has been printed four different times in the southeast Asian country’s history, but has not been seen for several decades due to the changing value of the currency. The first 1-riel banknote was issued in the country’s very first modern banknote issue of 1955-1956; it was redesigned and issued soon afterwards in the second issue, also in 1956.
After these early examples, the 1-riel banknote was reintroduced in 1975 by the new Khmer Rouge regime; the notes were printed but the KR then decided not to issue any of the notes from this fifth series. They can be found, however, for sale to collectors.
After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia once again printed (and actually used) 1-riel banknotes, in the sixth issue of 1979.
5-riel Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia has printed 5-riel banknotes five times in its paper money history, including in its very first issue of 1955-1956. It was again issued in the third series of 1963, when only three denominations were made. The Khmer Rouge designed and printed a 5-riel note in 1975 for the fifth series, but did not issue the note to the public. However, the next two issues — the sixth of 1979 and the seventh of 1987 — the 5-riel banknote was again printed, released to the public, and used for transactions among the populace.
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Five-riel paper money has not been issued since 1987, and would be too worthless to be of practical use now. However, Cambodian banknote collectors often look for nice 5-riel banknotes for sale, including various specimens and proofs and other interesting examples.
10-riel Cambodia banknotes
Ten-riel Cambodian banknotes have been issued five times, in each of the same series as the country’s 5-riel notes: the first issue of 1955-1956; the third issue of 1963; the fifth issue of 1975; the sixth issue of 1979, and the seventh issue of 1987. All but the fifth issue version of the 10-riel note were actually released and used among the public. The Khmer Rouge did not end up releasing their 1975 notes at all, though they can be found for sale pretty easily. Collectors can find specimens and other interesting variations of 10-riel notes for sale in the marketplace at any given time.
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20-riel Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia has issued 20-riel notes exactly twice in its paper money history: first in its second issue of 1963, and again in the sixth issue which was printed and released in 1979 after the fall of the Khmer Rouge and the entrance of the Vietnamese. Twenty riels now would not be worth much at all in transactions, and the notes are not used. However, there are quite a few nice examples for sale by and to collectors in the online marketplace at any given time.
50-riel Cambodia banknotes
Banknotes worth 50 riels have a long history in Cambodia, and have appeared in several of the country’s paper money issues. The current 50-riel notes may be occasionally used in transactions today, but are increasingly rare; most 50-riel banknotes are now for collectors and international buyers online.
The first time Cambodia used 50-riel banknotes was in its very first issue of 1955-1956. Cambodia issued more 50-riel notes in its second issue of 1956, but no new 50-riel banknotes were issued for several years afterwards. In 1975, for its planned fifth series, the Khmer Rouge designed and printed 50-riel notes but did not issue them to the public.
The next issue, the sixth (1979), saw new 50-riel notes and these were actually released to the public. In 1992, as part of its eighth series, Cambodia released more 50 riel notes. Finally, in 2002 Cambodia issued an updated version of its 50-riel paper money as part of its twelfth issue.
100-riel Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia has released banknotes with a face value of 100 riels more often than any other denomination in its history; 100-riel paper money has been designed and printed seven times, though only released and used by the people six of those times.
Cambodia’s second-ever banknote issue, in 1956, included a 100-riel note, as did the next three issues: the third in 1963; the fourth in 1972; and the fifth in 1975. These 1975 notes were never issued to the public, however; the Khmer Rouge had them printed but then abolished the monetary system, rendering all notes useless.
One-hundred-riel banknotes were revived for the eighth issue of 1990-1992. In the eleventh issue of 1995-1999, 100-riel notes were again released; the twelfth issue, of 2001-2005, saw more recent 100-riel banknotes of Cambodia. They are still circulating within the country, and there are many interesting specimens and special collectible and rare hundred-riel banknotes for sale, from all issues, for sale at any one time from several different dealers.
200-riel Cambodia banknotes
Twice, Cambodia has printed and issued banknotes with a face value of 200 riels: in their ninth issue of 1992-1993, and once again in the eleventh issue of 1995-1999. Unlike other notes, such as the 100-riel note and the 500-riel note, paper money worth 200 riels has not been regularly used among Cambodian people in recent years. Specimens and various other interesting and/or rare collectibles of two hundred-riel banknotes from Cambodia can be found for sale by various vendors in the marketplace.
500-riel Cambodia banknotes
There have been five different 500-riel banknotes issued by Cambodia over the years, and they are still circulating in Cambodia unlike some of the other smaller-denominated paper money that has been issued. The first 500-riel banknote was issued in the country’s second issue in 1956; the next came in the fourth series which was issued in 1972.
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After these two early versions, the 500-riel banknote was quiet until the Cambodian eighth banknote issue of 1990-1992. The next new 500-riel note was in the 1995-1999 eleventh issue, while a more recent version was issued as part of the twelfth issue of 2001-2005. Specimens and other special proofs and interesting collectible 500-riel Cambodian banknotes are easy to find in the online sales listings.
1000-riel Cambodia banknotes
The Cambodian 1,000-riel banknote has proven popular, and has been issued six different times in the country’s history. One example is the thousand-riel banknote released in 2005 as part of the thirteenth issue, but the first such note was actually part of the fourth issue in 1972. After this first 1,000-riel note, it did not get a redesign until the ninth issue of 1992-1993, after which it would be re-issued during each subsequent series: the tenth issue of 1995; the eleventh issue of 1995-1999; the twelfth issue of 2001-2005; and the aforementioned thirteenth issue.
There are quite a few rare and collectible examples of all versions of the 1,000-riel banknote of Cambodia for sale; you may be looking for specimens or a complete set or other type of note for your own collection.
2000-riel Cambodia banknotes
In the 1990s, Cambodia introduced a new 2,000-riel banknote, and the denomination has been issued three different times. The first such note was as part of the ninth banknote issue of 1992-1993, and 2,000-riel notes were again designed and released in 1995 for the tenth issue. After these first two examples, Cambodia updated the 2,000-riel banknote during the thirteenth series of 2007 and later; these are the notes still circulating in the country.
5000-riel Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia’s first banknote worth 5,000 riels was issued in 1972 as the country issued its fourth series of paper currency; however, new 5,000-riel notes would not be seen again until 1995 and the tenth issue. Useful for transactions in the modern Cambodian economy, 5,000-riel banknotes were again issued for the twelfth issue of 2001-2005, and still circulate today.
10,000-riel Cambodia banknotes
There have been two different 10,000-riel banknotes issued in Cambodia: the first as part of the tenth issue of 1995, and the most recent as part of the twelfth issue of 2001-2005. Still circulating in Cambodia, some 10,000-riel banknotes are of special interest to collectors of international or Asian paper currency.
20,000-riel Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia has issued banknotes with a value of 20,000 riels twice. The first 20,000-riel notes came in 1995 in the tenth issue, and more recently a second 20,000-riel note came as part of the thirteenth issue of 2007. Collectors can find some great examples of collectible 20,000-riel Cambodian banknotes for sale in the marketplace, including specimens, errors, and other goodies.
50,000-riel Cambodia banknotes
The 50,000-riel banknote of Cambodia is the highest-value regularly-used note in the country; the 100,000-riel note is of interest primarily to collectors and investors. Cambodia has issued fifty-thousand-riel banknotes twice, both times in the twenty-first century. The first such note was part of the tenth issue of 2001-2005 and showed King Sihanouk; the 50,000-riel banknote of the twelfth issue (2001-2005) also showed the beloved King. Collectors can search current for-sale listings for some nice examples of 50,000-riel Cambodian paper money, including some especially rare and collectible examples.
100,000-riel Cambodia banknotes
Cambodia issued its first 100,000-riel banknote in 1995 as part of the tenth banknote issue in the country’s history; its large value made it primarily of interest to investors and collectors. Another 100,000-riel note followed during the thirteenth issue in 2007. Those interested in acquiring 100,000-riel Cambodian notes for their own collections can view the current listings to see what is available for sale from a variety of vendors.
