Kazakhstan. New Silver Proof Coins Mark 30th Anniversary of National Constitution

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the country’s adoption of the constitution which outlined Kazakhstan’s commitment to democracy, independence and freedom. The country had been denied its freedom for more than 140 years since it was overtaken by Imperial Russia.

The Kazakh Khanat was established by Janibek Khan and Kerei Khan in 1465 who traced their lineage back to Genghis Khan. The state lasted until 1847 when the Kazakh lands and peoples fell under the full control of the Russian Empire. With the downfall of the last Czar in 1917, an autonomous state was founded that same year. However, by 1920, communist Bolsheviks had defeated the free White Russian forces in the region and occupied Kazakhstan. The country was then forcibly absorbed into the newly formed Union of Soviet Socialist Republics – USSR in August 1920 and lasted until the 25th October 1990. On that day, the Supreme Soviet of the Kazakh SSR declared its sovereignty on all its soil and the former Kazakh SSR was renamed the Republic of Kazakhstan on the 10th December 1991. Kazakhstan was the last Central Asian soviet republic to declare their independence from the USSR which was itself signed out of existence at midnight on the 26th December 1991.

As part of establishing a viable republic, the former first secretary of the defunct Kazak Soviet republic Nursultan Nazarbayev was elected as Kazakhstan’s president in April of that year and remained its head of state until 2019. A committee was established to set out the writing of a constitution which would set Kazakhstan on a path to creating a country which would abide by the concept of the rule of law and strengthen democratic institutions. The Constitution is considered the foundation of independence, a symbol of unity and civil harmony. The Constitution was approved by a constitutional referendum on the 30th August 1995 and recognised as the highest law of Kazakhstan, as stated in Article 4.

The preamble states –

"We, the people of Kazakhstan, united by a common historic fate, creating a state on the indigenous Kazakh land, considering ourselves a peace-loving and civil society, dedicated to the ideals of freedom, equality and concord, wishing to take a worthy place in the world community, realizing our high responsibility before the present and future generations, proceeding from our sovereign right, accept this Constitution."

The constitution remains in force since its approval in 1995 with amendments last added on the 5th June 2022 and in September 2022. In 2017, Kazakhstan officially launched the process of transitioning its official alphabet from Cyrillic, considered as a remnant of the Russian/soviet-era, to the Latin alphabet. The decision was initiated by President Nursultan Nazarbayev as part of a broader effort to strengthen its national identity, while also aligning with international standards. The transition is expected to be completed by the end of this year. 

The silver proof and uncirculated circulation type coins are produced by the National Mint of Kazakhstan at their facilities in Oskemen, East Kazakhstan on behalf of the National Bank. The obverse side which is shared on both denominations features the image of an open book representing the constitution with an outline of the country shown with a linear centre in the background. In the centre of the map of Kazakhstan is a cross-linear insignia representing the sun. Superimposed over the open book is an ornamental numeral 30 with the commemorative years 1995 and 2025 placed just under the two covers of the constitution. Above the primary design and along the upper rim is the commemorative inscription ҚАЗАҚСТАН КОНСТИТУЦИЯСЫНА (Constitution of Kazakhstan) and below along the lower rim is the word ЖЫЛ (year) The lower half of the design includes a traditional decorative border pattern. The silver proof coins also include specifications Ag 925 31.1 g placed just below the commemorative inscription. The reverse side features an image of the national crest of Kazakhstan centred. Above the primary design and along the upper rim is the text QAZAQSTAN ULTTYQ BANKI with additional text placed below the crest along the lower rim NATIONAL BANK OF KAZAKHSTAN. Just below the crest is the denomination 1000 TENGE (silver) or 100 TENGE (base metal). The primary design is completed with ornamental designs placed on both sides of the crest and denomination.

Each proof quality coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the online webshop of the National Bank.