Let's tell you what currency is now used in Belarus and why it is called "bunnies". Separately, we will focus on exchangers and the current rate.
Belarus has its own rubles. They are similar to Russian ones only in name, and even then, locals often call them "bunnies". Where did such a diminutive name come from, and why is this currency remarkable? Let's start from afar.
From 1 2016, the ISO code for the Belarusian ruble is BYN (before that it was BYR). To determine the exact exchange rate to the Russian ruble, euro or dollar, use a special calculator.
Belarusian currency comparatively young. Until 1991, only Soviet rubles were used in the country, but with the collapse of the USSR, the question arose of the need to create their own banknotes. The fact is that, compared with the rest of the countries of the Soviet Union, Belarus had the lowest prices for food products, and in order to prevent their mass export by foreigners, the government introduced special coupons for goods.
At first, coupons were used along with Soviet rubles, and at the end of 1992 the country switched to settlement tickets, the exchange rate of which was equal to 10 Soviet rubles. The new national currency itself at that time lay on electronic accounts and was waiting in the wings.
Some public figures first proposed to name the means of payment "thaler" - in honor of an old German coin. Sketches of banknotes and coins ("pennies") were even developed. However, in the end, only the poet Nil Gilevich supported this name, while the majority voted for a more familiar name - “Belarusian ruble” or “ruble”.
From mid-1993, Soviet money gradually began to be withdrawn from circulation, and in 1994 local ruble acquired the status of the only legal means for making payments on the territory of an independent state.
In order to move away from the political topic as much as possible, it was decided to use neutral images for the banknote design. So various animals appeared on banknotes: bison, bear, squirrel, lynx, elk, wolves, beavers and the notorious hare, thanks to which the people began to call the new money “bunnies” (hare = 1 ruble).
Animals decorated banknotes up to 100 rubles. But on larger banknotes there are images of architectural monuments.
There are no animals on the banknotes of the new sample (2011 modification), instead, the images on the banknotes are dedicated to different regions of the country. Nevertheless, Belarusians still call local money "bunnies" out of habit.
The currency of Belarus has gone through difficult times. If in 1992-1994. one local ruble could be purchased for 10 Soviet rubles, then in subsequent years its rate began to fall steadily under the influence of inflation.
In 1994, the Bank of Belarus carried out the first denomination of its currency 10 times. After 6 years, another denomination was required - this time 1000 times! And on July 1, 2016, a 10,000-fold denomination took place, and for the first time coins with a face value from 1 kopeck to 2 rubles appeared in everyday life. Previously, only commemorative coins were issued in the country.
Since the Belarusian ruble is a non-convertible currency, it cannot be bought outside the republic. But within the country, any currency can be freely exchanged for the national one. You can do this at exchange offices located at airports, bus stations, hotels and large shopping malls.
For the exchange procedure, a passport may be required. Receipts and checks received during the exchange should be kept: they will be required when leaving the country.
The official currency of the Republic of Belarus is the Belarusian ruble. Currency unit firmly established on the territory of the country, and also received recognition in the post-Soviet states and in Europe. In the international banking system The currency of Belarus received the code BYR.
It took a little time before the currency of Belarus was officially approved. After the disappearance of the USSR political map in 1991, Soviet rubles were used in trade. A year later, a decree was issued on what currency should be in Belarus.
Within two years, the transition to the official monetary unit was carried out. As a result, banknotes were issued, on the obverse of which images of animals characteristic of Belarus appeared: a hare on a 1-ruble note, a squirrel on a 50-ruble note, etc.
In 2000, the state was forced to carry out a denomination in the ratio of 1 to 1000. This is how the modern currency of Belarus appeared, which is used, according to forecasts, until 2016.
Gradually, small banknotes with a face value of 1, 10, 20 rubles were removed from the exchange of goods. In 2015, 50-ruble bills were finally taken out of use. As a result, today Belarusians carry paper money worth 100, 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000, 200000 rubles in their wallets. 
The country appreciates its culture and traditions, so the currency of Belarus on the obverse and reverse shows the treasures of architecture, as well as paintings, monuments and sculptures:
Each bill carries a piece of history and invites us to visit the most significant places in Belarus.
Almost all CIS countries and former USSR know what currency is in Belarus. In parallel with the formation of new trade relations, the Belarusian ruble is spreading in the states of Europe. In some countries, you can even exchange the national currency.
Strong commodity-money relations are established with Russia. Back in 1999, a decree was issued by which the leaders of both states decided to issue a common currency. However, due to the wave of economic crises, the plan lay on the shelf for a long time. Already in 2016-2017, another denomination of the currency will be carried out, which will bring the value of the Belarusian ruble closer to the Russian unit. 
By the end of 2016 - beginning of 2017 will be replaced banknotes. The denomination is carried out in the ratio of 10,000 to 1, i.e. will remove 4 zeros from the value of the bill. Banknotes worth less than 5,000 rubles will be replaced by coins. For example, a 100-ruble bill is equivalent to 1 kopeck.
Denomination national currency carried out in order to simplify calculations and improve the system monetary circulation in the country.
During 2016, any product will be offered a price in the old and new currencies. This is done to simplify the transition between monetary units, because not every Belarusian will be able to immediately manage kopecks and new banknotes.
To exchange money in Belarus, it is enough to contact any of the banks or exchange offices. The exchange rate is set in the morning, but during the period of unstable economic situation it may change during the day.
Belarusian banks are open from 9:00-9:30 to 17:00-17:30 on weekdays. Among them: "BelVeb", National Bank Belarus, BPS-Sberbank, Belagroprombank, Technobank, Moscow-Minsk Bank, Belinvestbank, Paritetbank and others. In any of these institutions you can find out the real exchange rate and exchange money.
Depending on the situation in Russia, the currency of Belarus against the ruble is constantly changing. Both currencies are strongly linked due to close trade relations between both countries. 
You should not change currency at private entrepreneurs or on the street, otherwise a number of difficulties may arise, especially for tourists. For foreign guests, it is best to keep the receipt of their money exchanges until returning home. The legality of the exchange is the guarantor of stay in the country.
Other currencies of Belarus: Belarusian ruble (BYR)
In the Republic of Belarus, the official Belarusian currency is now represented in the form of a monetary unit called the Belarusian ruble. One Belarusian ruble is divided into 100 kopecks, but coins and banknotes are not issued in kopecks. Banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000 rubles are in circulation. Among the people, the Belarusian ruble is often referred to as a bunny, since this animal was depicted on a banknote in denominations of 1 ruble (1992 sample). After the collapse of the All-Union monetary system at the beginning of 1992, a coupon system was introduced in the country, after which - settlement notes of the National Bank. In 1993, the withdrawal of Soviet rubles began, which became the starting point for the national currency of Belarus. Since the beginning of the 21st century, the question of creating a single currency with Russia has been raised on the basis of an agreement on a union state. But due to disputes over the location of the emission center and the unpreparedness of the housekeepers of both countries, it was decided to postpone the issue. From the beginning of 2009, the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus established fixed exchange rates, which led to the denomination of the Belarusian ruble by 20%. A peculiar case of bilingualism is a banknote in denominations of 500 Belarusian rubles sample 1992. The inscriptions on the banknote are made in the Belarusian language. The obverse of the banknote depicts Victory Square in Minsk along with the first two words in Russian "The feat of the people is immortal", laid out on one of the semicircular buildings encircling the square and being one of the sights of Minsk. Grodno Yarmarka, which reported this fact in one of the July 1994 issues, noted that thanks to this bilingualism, the banknote quickly turns into a valuable exhibit of bonist collections. Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 09:00-09:30 to 17:00-17:30. Belarusian currency can be exchanged at banks and exchange offices, and all exchange transactions must be accompanied by a special form confirming the legality of the exchange. Currency exchange on the street or at private money changers, although the Belarusian ruble exchange rate here may be more profitable, is associated with certain difficulties. Traveler's checks can be cashed at the offices of major banks. The use of non-cash payment means outside the capital and other large cities is difficult.
Belarusian ruble- the official currency of the Republic of Belarus. Bank code - BYR. 1 Belarusian ruble is equal to 100 kopecks, but they are not currently used. Banknote denominations: 100 thousand, 50 thousand, 20 thousand, 10 thousand, 5 thousand, 1 thousand, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 ruble. At the beginning of 2012 banknotes denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 ruble are gradually withdrawn from circulation.
Architectural monuments are depicted on the front side of the banknotes, reproductions of paintings, monuments and interiors of historical buildings are depicted on the reverse side: 100 rubles - the National Academic Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of the Republic of Belarus and a scene from the ballet "The Chosen One" by Yevgeny Glebov, 500 rubles - the Republican Palace of Culture of Trade Unions in Minsk and sculptures mounted on the pediment of this building, 1 thousand - National Art Museum and a reproduction of one of the paintings from its collection - "Flowers and Fruits" by Ivan Khrutsky, a Belarusian artist of the 19th century, 5 thousand - Sports Palace in Minsk and the Raubichi sports complex ”, 10 thousand - a panorama and a summer amphitheater in Vitebsk, 20 thousand - the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace in Gomel and its display in the painting by Adam Idzkovsky, 50 thousand - Mir Castle in the Grodno region and elements of its decoration, 100 thousand - Nesvizh the castle and it is also in the painting of the 18th century artist Napoleon Orda.
The history of the Belarusian ruble dates back to the collapse of the USSR in 1991. The first national banknotes were issued in May 1992, before that Soviet rubles were in circulation. The exchange was carried out in a ratio of 1 to 10. The final transition to new currency took about two years.
Belarusian rubles of the first issue had images of animals on the front side and were called settlement tickets. There was a hare on the ruble banknote, which led to the fact that all Belarusian money was popularly called "bunnies".
In August 1994, Belarus carried out the first denomination of the national currency in the ratio of 1 to 10.
The republic, having gained independence, actually did not conduct economic reforms. As a result, the inflation rate there has not decreased for many years. By 2000, it became necessary to carry out another denomination in the ratio of 1 to 1,000 and put into circulation new monetary units - today's Belarusian rubles.
For several years, a plan was being prepared for implementation to merge the Belarusian monetary system with the Russian one. According to the Treaty on the Establishment of the Union State signed in 1999, the single currency was supposed to appear by January 1, 2008, but due to economic difficulties, the countries were not ready for this.
The Belarusian ruble has experienced a series of devaluations. The first occurred on January 2, 2009, when the National Bank reduced its rate by 20% at a time. The dollar began to cost 2,650 Belarusian rubles, and the euro - 3,703.
2011 in Belarus passed under the sign of the economic crisis. The reason for it is considered to be an increase in salaries before the presidential elections, a decrease in the competitiveness of export products, and high administrative costs of the state. As a result of the aggravated shortage of foreign currency, the National Bank was forced to let go of the Belarusian ruble, and it fell in price by more than half. At the beginning of 2012, the official exchange rate amounted to 8,160 rubles per dollar, 1,070 per euro and 276 per Russian ruble.
The Belarusian ruble is not a freely convertible currency. In some cases, as was the case during 2011, administrative restrictions may be imposed on its exchange. As of early 2012, due to the fact that official exchange rate actually fixed by the National Bank at a level different from the real one, the black currency market is flourishing in the country.
Despite the difficult situation, Belarus has a high economic potential. It is considered one of the most developed republics of the former USSR. To date, the country retains a powerful complex of manufacturing industries: auto and tractor building, instrument making, radio electronics, household appliances, and machine tool building. Many people know such brands as tractors "Belarus", refrigerators "Atlant", etc. Knitwear, linen, leather and footwear, food, forestry and woodworking industries are developed.
Thus, if ever there is a rejection of the state course for the construction of market socialism, officially proclaimed by Minsk, the economy of the republic can become a good object for investment.
In July 2016, the next denomination of the national currency was carried out, the monetary value decreased by four zeros. Now there are banknotes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 rubles, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 kopecks, 1 and 2 rubles.
On July 1, 2016, for the first time, citizens of the Republic will pick up new banknotes and coins. So far we have only seen sketches on the screens, but some idea is already taking shape.
Banknotes of seven denominations will appear in circulation: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 rubles, and eight coins: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 kopecks, 1 and 2 rubles.
The size of banknotes is not too different from those that we have become accustomed to since 2000 - 150 × 74 mm. The semantic content, in general, is the same: architecture, national patterns, but the design has become more “European”. This is understandable - in Europe, there is a manufacturer of banknotes that won the competition of the National Bank (where exactly - has not yet been reported).
It also follows from the statement that there are no plans to create a mint in Belarus, the production is too expensive, obviously not profitable for a small state. By the way, from the same source we managed to find out that the production of one banknote or coin ranges from 1 to 4 euro cents, i.e. coins of 1 kopeck, at the current rate, are almost half the cost.
It should be noted that both coins and banknotes were printed back in 2009, as evidenced by the signature of the then head of the National Bank P.P. current rules spelling. Inconsistencies are promised to be eliminated in the manufacture of the next batches of banknotes.
The money printed in 2009 could have been put into circulation earlier, but this was prevented by the global economic crisis and too high Belarusian economy in subsequent years. I am also glad that the costs of money production have already been incurred, although there remain costs for the exchange, changes in accounting, reconfiguration of ATMs and other equipment.
By the way, the question of the future operation of ATMs (especially during the transition period) is still open: only with new money or in parallel with the old ones? with or without coins?
Returning to the design of new money, we note that the images on seven banknotes are correct, i.e. alphabetically, distributed among the regions: five-ruble notes are dedicated to the Brest region; ten-rouble notes - Vitebsk; twenty - Gomel; banknote of fifty rubles - Grodno; hundred-ruble - Minsk; two-hundred-ruble - Mogilev region; and the largest of five hundred rubles - to the city of Minsk.
The reverse side of the banknotes is filled with historical and cultural symbols, already without explicit reference to the geography of the country and the image on the front side.
The design of the coins can be reminiscent of the metal money of the Soviet period, and the two-ruble note is made up of two metals of different colors, like the euro.
On the front side of all coins, the coat of arms of the Republic, on the back, national symbols. All banknotes are marked in 2009.
Not too much information about the new money has appeared, but something can be seen already now:
The largest bill of 500 rubles(5 million for today's money).
On the front side: National Library, Prokopovich's signature, year of issue, banknote denomination in numbers and words, a straight cross in the lower left corner, a rectangular sign resembling a door above it, the inscription "RB" on the right, translucent images and a metal strip for better counterfeit protection.
On the reverse side - the denomination in digits, the serial number of the banknote in two places, and a composition on the theme of literature: a quill, an inkwell, a book, as well as a flower and a fern branch. Probably, not all symbols on the new banknotes will be understandable to a simple layman, but they are certainly not accidental.
200 rubles- the general structure of the front and back sides remains the same, the color solution shifts towards purple. On the front side - the Mogilev Regional Art Museum named after P.V. Maslennikov, in the lower left corner, instead of a straight cross, there is an image of a rectangle above it, similar to a door.
On the reverse side - a collage on the theme of urban planning and crafts: the seal of Mogilev and a golden key, a tile, a forged lattice, images of houses.
100 ruble bill: The Radziwill Castle in Nesvizh, in the corner instead of a cross is a rhombus, above it is a rectangle.
On the reverse side there are musical instruments, Slutsk belts, the Batleyka puppet theater, a goat and a Christmas carol. The common theme is ethnography, folk holidays. The color scheme is closer to turquoise.
50 rubles- on the front side: Mir Castle, in the lower left corner there is a triangle, above it there is a picture similar to a “false window”, just like there are many in Mir Castle.
On the back - a composition on the theme of art: pen, paper, lyre, notes and laurel branches. Light green colors predominate in the design.
20 rubles. On the front side: the Rumyantsev-Paskevich Palace in Gomel, in the corner - a square, above it - a window.
On the reverse side: bell, Turov Gospel, carving, views of Turov in antiquity. The common theme is spirituality. The color of the banknote is rather sandy.
10 rubles. Front side: Church of the Transfiguration in Polotsk. An example of ancient Polotsk architecture of the 12th century, a contemporary of St. Euphrosyne of Polotsk. In the lower left corner is a circle, above it is an image of a tall window.
The main theme of the reverse side is enlightenment and printing. Depicted: Cross of Efrosinya of Polotsk, books, print of Francysk Skaryna. The color of the banknote is closer to blue with gold.
5 rubles- the smallest of the banknotes. On the front side - Belaya Vezha in Kamenets (Brest region) - a defensive structure of the 13th century, a rare example of the Romanesque style for Belarus. In the corner there is a “-” sign, above it is an element of the fortress wall.
The reverse side of the banknote is dedicated to ancient Slavic history, depicts a wheel, a leather belt, a reconstruction of the ancient fortified settlement Berestye. The general background is perhaps the color of ocher, brick.
Coins will also appear in circulation:
Coins of 1 and 2 rubles made of silver gray metal. 2 ruble has a yellow rim.
On the obverse (front side) of the coins there is the coat of arms of Belarus and the number "2009".
On the reverse (back side) there is a denomination and an ornament embodying the desire for happiness and freedom. These ornaments on 1 and 2 rubles are different, but the semantic load is the same.
Kopeks, depending on the denomination, are divided into two colors, as in the Soviet Union, although there is no exact match.
Small: 1, 2 and 5 kopecks- similar to copper 10, 20, 50 kopecks- golden hue.
From May 20, 2019, updated banknotes of the 2009 sample with a face value of 5 and 10 Belarusian rubles of 2019 will be put into circulation. This decision was made by the decision of the Board National Bank of the Republic of Belarus dated April 24, 2019 No. 183 as part of ongoing measures to replace those being withdrawn from circulation old banknotes and optimization of the security complex of banknotes in circulation.
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