Can you exchange older US dollar banknotes in Batumi, and do Bank of Georgia ATMs dispense USD cash?
From messages by 3 participants in 1 source · Last activity: 14 days ago
A bank can exchange older US dollar notes, including 1990s issues and $1 bills, but at a less favorable rate than newer banknotes.
31 days ago 1990s notes and $1 bills
Older US dollar notes can be deposited into a bank account without a fee; the report indicated no issues with this type of deposit.
14 days ago Fee-free deposit of older USD notes
One traveler noted that old-style dollar bills are getting harder to find accepted at Batumi exchange spots, with banks pushing newer banknotes at a markup of about 1.7-2 versus the standard rate. The advertised rate is around 80, but the actual exchange rate can rise to 82.
Rate ~80-82, markup 1.7-2
The chat specifically raised the issue of withdrawing USD from Bank of Georgia ATMs and branches, but no confirmed answer was given. If you need cash in USD, it is safer to check with a specific BoG branch or verify the dispensing currency on the ATM screen.
Bank of Georgia (BoG)
According to travelers in the chat, older US dollar banknotes are accepted without issues at Batumi exchange offices. For cash exchange, this appears to be a more reliable option than relying on unconfirmed bank policies.
Batumi exchange offices
One traveler brought newer banknotes because they were unsure about bank rules, but later found that regular exchange offices also take older bills. In practice, the uncertainty seems to be with banks rather than with exchange counters.