The Bhutanese Ngultrum, which can be represented by BTN or Nu, is the name of the currency or money used in Bhutan. 100 chhertum make up one ngultrum. The Indian rupee and the ngultrum are now fixed at parity. There are no coins, and you can anticipate receiving large sums of money. Travelers from other countries should be aware that US$50 and US$100 bills are exchanged at a better rate than US$20 or US$10 bills. The value of smaller US dollar bills is around 5% lower than that of larger ones.
The first banknotes were printed by the ministry of finance in 1974 in t he amounts of Nu.1, Nu.5, and Nu.10; these were followed by Nu.2, Nu.20, Nu.50, and Nu.100 in 1978. In 1982, the ministry of finance was replaced as the nation's central bank by the Royal Monetary Authority of Bhutan, which started printing currency the following year.
The most recent series of notes with values of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 were released by the Bhutanese Monetary Authority in 2006. Except for notes No. 1 and No. 5, all banknotes have various colors and, on one side, feature images of well-known Dzongs, and on the other, either the current or prior monarch of Bhutan.
- Nu.1 has the colors blue, red, and green. On one side are images of dragons, and on the other is a picture of Simtokha Dzong.
- Nu. 5 has Yellow, brown, and red colors. On one side are images of birds, while on the other is a picture of the Taktshang monastery.
- Dark green and yellow make up Nu.10. On one side is a photograph of the previous monarch, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, and on the other is a picture of Rinpung Dzong.
- Nu.20 is tinted yellow and green. On one side is a photograph of the reigning monarch, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, while on the other is a picture of Punakha Dzong.
- Pink, orange, and green colors make up Nu.50. On one side is a photograph of the reigning monarch, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, while on the other is a picture of Trongsa Dzong.
- Green is the color of Nu.100. On one side is a picture of Jigme Singye Wangchuk, the last king, while on the other is a picture of Tashichho Dzong.
- Pink, orange, and green colors make up Nu.500. On one side is a depiction of Ugyen Wangchuk, the first monarch of Bhutan, while on the other is a picture of Punakha Dzong.
- The colors of Nu.1000 include red, gold, and yellow. On one side is a photograph of the reigning monarch, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk, while on the other is a picture of the Tashichho Dzong.