Since antiquity, great civilizations have immortalized their achievements on coins and banknotes—symbols of heritage, triumph, and cultural milestones. In our time, Treasurium proudly continues this tradition by unveiling Georgia’s first collectible banknote, printed in Europe, to celebrate an extraordinary legacy: 8,000 years of uninterrupted winemaking.
Recognized as the Motherland of Wine, Georgia holds the oldest known viticultural heritage in the world. This commemorative note is more than a tribute—it is a statement of history, a testament to the nation’s deep-rooted connection to wine, and a legacy for generations to come.
“Created in collaboration with European partners, this landmark collectible cements Georgia’s place in the global story of wine, ensuring its unparalleled heritage is honored and remembered forever,” says Mr. Ajami, the initiator of the project and founder of Treasurium.
The Making of the Legacy
This historic project took over six months of meticulous legal work by local and international experts to ensure compliance with European and international regulations. Meanwhile, world-class banknote designers and Georgian artists dedicated countless hours to crafting a design that honors Georgia’s 8,000- year winemaking heritage. The result is more than a commemorative note—it’s a timeless tribute to history and culture.
The Birth of the Banknote: A Georgian-Dutch Collaboration
This historic commemorative banknote was brought to life through a Georgian-Dutch collaboration at Royal Joh. Enschede, one of the world’s most prestigious high-security printing facilities. Established in 1703 in the Netherlands, it has produced official currencies for multiple nations, including the Euro. Limited to just 5,000 pieces, this exclusive series ensures exceptional value and collectability.
A Historic Launch: Celebrating Georgia in the Heart of Europe
In a historic moment for Georgia, the project was launched at Château Neercanne in Maastricht, the birthplace of the Euro. Treasurium hosted a Georgian wine tasting in the renowned Marl Cave and wine cellar, where the signatures of the European Union’s founders are etched into the walls. This was followed by a lavish Michelin-star dinner in the Château’s grand hall, where, in 1992, Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands hosted the heads of European states after the signing of the Maastricht Treaty.
The venue was carefully chosen for its deep symbolism in European history, now reimagined to celebrate Georgia’s winemaking legacy, with only Georgian wine flowing through the evening.
The event brought together top Georgian and Dutch delegations, including the Georgian Ambassador to the Netherlands, the Head of the Mission of Georgia to the European Union, the Deputy Mayor of Maastricht, and representatives from the Georgian National Tourism Administration and the Georgian National Wine Agency. Since the beginning of this year, sales have been open to Georgian collectors and enthusiasts, allowing them to own a piece of this historic commemorative series.
Setting the Price: A Historic Auction and Accessible Sales for Collectors
Naturally, the value of these commemorative notes raised much interest. While the face value of 8,000 represents Georgia’s 8,000 years of winemaking, their true market value is determined by rarity and demand. To set a precedent, Treasurium proposed to initiate the sale with the auction of the first note in this limited edition series.
Serial number 1991, symbolizing Georgia’s reestablishment of independence in 1991, was sold at the Crown Currency Auction House in Amsterdam for a record €3,500 (€4,200 with commissions)—the highest ever achieved for such commemorative notes in the world. This exceptional price exceeded expectations, making it impractical as a base price for the entire series.
To ensure accessibility for Georgian and international collectors, Treasurium decided to offer regular serial numbers from €170 to €1000 depending on the serial number, with special rare numbers to be sold at upcoming auctions.
By GT
