The Surrogate Money exposition was opened online in the museum of Temirtau city, as part of the Exhibit of Month project on October 9, 2022,.
It is believed that at the dawn of civilization, the need for any product was solved simply - by natural exchange. But this way of trading caused a lot of controversy. Each participant believed that he put more effort and time into the work than the second. A universal object was required, with the help of which it would be possible to evaluate any product or service. This is how the first primitive forms of money appeared, unique for different regions of the globe.
In the 7th century BC, in the state of Lydia, now western Turkey, for the first time in history, coins were minted with an official royal seal. This was the birth of the first official currency. From now on, each state will strive to produce its own money.
But in the history of mankind there have been many wars, disasters, economic crises. During such periods, as a rule, prices rise sharply, because of which a severe shortage of cash begins. People have to use temporary substitutes for the official currency - surrogate money.
At the dawn of Independence, Kazakhstan also had to go through a period of surrogate money. Along with the collapse of the USSR, economic ties were broken. Prices skyrocketed, cash Soviet rubles were in short supply, and Kazakh tenge was in development.
In 1991, a coupon system was introduced throughout the country, thanks to which citizens could purchase scarce goods.
In addition to coupons, a new local currency began to be used in Temirtau in 1992 - coupons from the Karaganda Metallurgical Plant. The workers called them "svichinki" after the then director of the plant, Alexander Grigoryevich Svichinsky. In a special store at the plant, workers could purchase food, industrial goods for coupons - "svichinki".
Coupons and "svichinki" were born in a difficult time. But don't underestimate their value. This surrogate money helped thousands of people survive the most difficult period, and became part of the history of Independent Kazakhstan.
The opening of the exposition took place in social networks. The exposition will run for a month.
