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Brazilian real

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(Redirected from Reais)
This article is about the modern Brazilian currency unit. For the currency of Brazil from the colonial period to 1942, see Brazilian real (old).
"BRL" redirects here. For other uses, see BRL (disambiguation).

Brazilian real
Real brasileiro (Portuguese)
Banknotes of reais (from 2 reais to 100 reais)200 reais banknote
ISO 4217
CodeBRL (numeric: 986)
Subunit0.01
Unit
Unitreal
Pluralreais
SymbolR$‎
Nicknamepila, prata, mango, pau, conto, réis (plural)
Denominations
Subunit
 1⁄100centavo
BanknotesR$ 2, R$ 5, R$ 10, R$ 20, R$ 50, R$ 100, R$ 200
Coins
 Freq. used5, 10, 25, 50 centavos, and R$ 1
 Rarely used1 centavo
Demographics
Date of introduction1 July 1994
ReplacedCruzeiro Real
User(s)Brazil
Issuance
Central bankCentral Bank of Brazil
 Websitewww.bcb.gov.br
PrinterCasa da Moeda do Brasil
 Websitewww.casadamoeda.gov.br
MintCasa da Moeda do Brasil
 Websitewww.casadamoeda.gov.br
Valuation
Inflation4.71% (December 27th 2024)
 SourceIBGE
 MethodCPI

The Brazilian real (pl. reais; sign: R$; code: BRL) is the official currency of Brazil. It is subdivided into 100 centavos. The Central Bank of Brazil is the central bank and the issuing authority. The real replaced the cruzeiro real in 1994.

As of April 2019, the real was the twentieth most traded currency.[1]

History

[edit]

Currencies in use before the current real include:

The current real was introduced in 1994 at 1 real = 2,750 cruzeiros reais.

The modern real (Portuguese plural reais or English plural reals) was introduced on 1 July 1994, during the presidency of Itamar Franco, when Rubens Ricupero was the Minister of Finance as part of a broader plan to stabilize the Brazilian economy, known as the Plano Real. The new currency replaced the short-lived cruzeiro real (CR$). The reform included the demonetisation of the cruzeiro real and required a massive banknote replacement.

At its introduction, the real was defined to be equal to 1 unidade real de valor (URV, "real value unit") a non-circulating currency unit. At the same time, the URV was defined to be worth 2,750 cruzeiros reais, which was the average exchange rate of the U.S. dollar to the cruzeiro real on that day. As a consequence, the real was worth exactly one U.S. dollar when it was introduced; as of June 2024, that was equivalent to R$8,08 corrected for inflation[2]. Combined with all previous currency changes in the country's history, this reform made the new real equal to 2.75 × 1018 (2.75 quintillion) of Brazil's original réis.

Soon after its introduction, the real unexpectedly gained value against the U.S. dollar, due to large capital inflows in late 1994 and 1995. During that period it attained its maximum dollar value ever, about US$1.20=R$1. Between 1996 and 1998 the exchange rate was tightly controlled by the Central Bank of Brazil, so that the real depreciated slowly and smoothly to the dollar, dropping from near US$1=R$1 to about US$1=R$1.2 by the end of 1998. In January 1999 the deterioration of the international markets, disrupted by the Russian default, forced the Central Bank, under its new president Arminio Fraga, to float the exchange rate. This decision produced a major devaluation, to a rate of almost US$1=R$2.[3]

In the following years, the currency's value against the dollar followed an erratic but mostly downward path from 1999 until late 2002, when the prospect of the election of leftist candidate Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, considered a radical populist by sectors of the financial markets, prompted another currency crisis and a spike in inflation. Many Brazilians feared another default on government debts or a resumption of heterodox economic policies and rushed to exchange their reais into tangible assets or foreign currencies.

The crisis subsided once Lula took office, after he, his finance minister Antonio Palocci, and Arminio Fraga reaffirmed their intention to continue the orthodox macroeconomic policies of his predecessor (including inflation-targeting, primary fiscal surplus and floating exchange rate, as well as continued payments of the public debt). The value of the real in dollars continued to fluctuate but generally upwards, so that by 2005 the exchange was a little over US$1=R$2. In May 2007, for the first time since 2001 (six years), the real became worth more than US$0.50 — even though the Central Bank, concerned about its effect on the Brazilian economy, had tried to keep it below that symbolic threshold. Lula started his government in 01/01/2003 with an exchange rate of US$1=R$3.52 and finished it in 12/31/2010 with an exchange rate of US$1=R$1.66.[4]

The exchange rate as of September 2015 was US$1=R$4.05. After a period of gradual recovery, it reached US$1=R$3 by February 2017.

Jair Bolsonaro's tenure, initially welcomed with enthusiasm by the financial markets, started with US$1=R$3.86. Fueled by meager results of the economy, quick disenchantment followed, resulting in a lack of foreign investments and a real's strong depreciation.[5] On 13 May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, which deeply affected Brazil,[6] the real reached a historical low against the US dollar, being negotiated at US$1=R$5.90.[7]

Following Lula's reelection in the 2022 general elections, the market, which was expected to have reacted poorly, turned out favorable in the first week.[8][9] The US dollar exchange hit its lowest point since 29 August 2022, dropping from roughly US$1=R$5.30 immediately before the second round of the election, to about US$1=R$5.05 a week after Lula's win. However, two years into Lula's government, at 29 November 2024, the US dollar exchange hit its highest point in history of US$1=R$6.10.[10]

Coins

[edit]

First series (1994–1997)

[edit]

Along with the first series of currency, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 5, 10 and 50 centavos and 1 real on 30 June 1994; the 25 centavos piece was soon followed on 30 September 1994 due to the constant lack of change in intermediate values in the centavos range, which caused the validity of the old Cruzeiro and Cruzeiro Real banknotes to be extended for two months beyond what was initially intended for the exchange of banknotes and coins until then in circulation for new ones in the pattern that began to circulate in the second half of 1994. All were struck in stainless steel.

The coins issued in 1994 are identical in size and weight to the older cruzeiro real coins, save for the 1-centavo piece which corresponded to the even older 1000-cruzeiro coin, as no CR$1 coin was made. This influenced the replacement of this family with a newer one in 1998.

The original 1-real coins, produced only in 1994, were demonetized on 23 December 2003,[11] due to frequent counterfeiting.[12] All other coins remain legal tender.

First series
Image Value Design Emission start date Withdrawn
1 centavo Obverse: Large denomination flanked by linear patterns.
Reverse: Head of Republic. 		1 July 1994 Current
5 centavos Obverse: Large denomination flanked by linear patterns.
Reverse: Head of Republic.
10 centavos Obverse: Large denomination flanked by linear patterns.
Reverse: Head of Republic.
50 centavos Obverse: Large denomination flanked by linear patterns.
Reverse: Head of Republic.
1 real Obverse: Large denomination flanked by linear patterns.
Reverse: Head of Republic. 		23 December 2003
25 centavos Obverse: Large denomination intersected by wavy lines.
Reverse: Head of Republic. 		30 September 1994 Current

Commemorative coins

[edit]

In 1995, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Central Bank of Brazil released two commemorative variants of the 10 and 25 centavos coins.

Circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's first series
Image Value Details
10 centavos Release date: 31 May 1995
Occasion: The 50th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Units produced: 1 million for each design
Reverse: The 10 centavos coin depicts hands offering a plant shoot with folious ramifications, and the 25 centavos coin depicts crop cultivation. Both coins contain the inscriptions "FAO—1945/1995" and "alimentos para todos" (food for all).[13][14]
25 centavos
The 1995 R$20 non-circulating commemorative coin celebrating Brazil's 4th FIFA World Cup win the year prior.

Additionally, non-circulating commemorative coins have also been minted, with non-standard face values – namely R$2, R$3, R$4 and R$20 coins.[15] Although worth more than their face value to collectors, they are nevertheless legal tender.[16]

Non-circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's first series
Value Details
2 reais Release date: 4 October 1994
Occasion: 300th anniversary of the Brazilian mint (1694–1994)
Units produced: 7 thousand
4 reais Release date: 23 December 1994
Occasion: Commemorating Brazil's 4th FIFA World Cup win
Units produced: 9 thousand
20 reais Release date: 10 February 1995
Occasion: Commemorating Brazil's 4th FIFA World Cup win
Units produced: 2 thousand
3 reais Release date: 31 March 1995
Occasion: 30th anniversary of the Central Bank of Brazil (1965–1995)
Units produced: 5 thousand
2 reais Release date: 4 December 1995
Occasion: Tribute to Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna (1960–1994)
Units produced: 10 thousand
20 reais Release date: 4 December 1995
Occasion: Tribute to Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna (1960–1994)
Units produced: 5 thousand
3 reais Release date: 24 October 1997
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the city of Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais
Units produced: 20 thousand

Second series (1998–present)

[edit]
Separated parts of the second series, post-2002 R$1 coin

In 1998, a second series of coins was introduced. It featured copper-plated steel coins of 1 and 5 centavos, bronze-plated steel 10 and 25 centavos, cupronickel 50 centavos coin, and a bimetallic nickel-brass and cupronickel coin of 1 real. In 2002 cupronickel was replaced with stainless steel for the 50-centavo coin and the central part of the 1-real coin, and the nickel-brass ring was changed to a bronze-plated steel one.[12][17]

In November 2005, the Central Bank discontinued the production of the 1 centavo coins, but the existing ones continue to be legal tender. Retailers now generally round their prices to the next 5 or 10 centavos.[citation needed]

Second series
Image Value Design
1 centavo
(no longer produced) 		Obverse: The Southern Cross in right upper side.
Reverse: Depicts Pedro Álvares Cabral, Portuguese sea captain and Brazil's colonizer, with a 16th-century Portuguese ship in the background.
5 centavos Obverse: The Southern Cross in right upper side.
Reverse: Depicts Joaquim José da Silva Xavier (also known as Tiradentes), martyr of an early independence movement known as the Minas Conspiracy. In the background, a triangle, symbol of the movement, and a dove, symbol of peace and freedom.
10 centavos Obverse: The Southern Cross in right upper side.
Reverse: Depicts Emperor Pedro I, Brazil's first monarch. In the background, the Emperor on a horse: a scene alluding to the proclamation of independence.
25 centavos Obverse: The Southern Cross in right upper side.
Reverse: Depicts Field Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, Brazil's first Republican president. The Republic's coat of arms is in the background.
50 centavos Obverse: The Southern Cross in right upper side.
Reverse: Depicts José Paranhos, Jr., the Baron of Rio Branco, the country's most distinguished Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the background, image of the country with ripples expanding outwards, representing the development of Brazil's foreign policy and the expansion and demarcation of the national borders.
1 real Obverse: The Southern Cross in right upper side.
Reverse: Outer ring depicts a sample of the marajoara art pattern. In the inner ring, the Efígie da República, symbol of the Republic.

In November 2019, the Central Bank had the Royal Dutch Mint produce 5 centavos and 50 centavos coins, which have a distinctive letter "A" to indicate they weren't minted by Casa da Moeda.[18]

  • Coins minted by the Royal Dutch Mint
  • 5 centavos coin with mint mark
    5 centavos coin with mint mark
  • 50 centavos coin with mint mark
    50 centavos coin with mint mark

Commemorative coins

[edit]
Commemorative 1 real coins for the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics Games in Rio de Janeiro. Left, allegory to Olympic boxing, right, allegory to Paralympic swimming.

On occasion, the Central Bank of Brazil has issued special commemorative versions of some of the standard coins. These commemorative coins are legal tender, and usually differ from the standard design only on their reverse side.

Until 2009, there were three circulating commemorative coin designs, from 1998, 2002 and 2005:

Circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's second series (1998–2009)
Image Value Details
1 real Release date: 10 December 1998
Occasion: The 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Units produced: 600 thousand
Reverse: The official logo of the commemorations; in bas-relief, a human figure. In the outer ring, the inscriptions "Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos" (Universal Declaration of Human Rights) and "Cinqüentenário" (50th anniversary).[19]
1 real Release date: 12 September 2002
Occasion: The 100th birth anniversary of Brazilian former president Juscelino Kubitschek
Units produced: 50 million
Reverse: A face portrait of Kubitschek. Vertically, the inscription "Centenário Juscelino Kubitschek" (Juscelino Kubitschek's centenary). In the outer ring, images alluding to the columns of the Alvorada Palace, the presidential residence in Brasília, the city that he decided would be built.[20]
1 real Release date: 23 September 2005
Occasion: The 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Central Bank of Brazil
Units produced: 40 million
Reverse: Image of the trademark Central Bank building, inspired in the official logo developed for the commemorations. In the outer ring, the inscriptions "Banco Central do Brasil" (Central Bank of Brazil) and "1965 40 anos 2005" (1965 40 years 2005).[21]

Between 2010 and 2019, many circulating commemorative coins were issued, celebrating the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics. The 50th anniversary of the Central Bank and the 25th anniversary of the Real were also commemorated:

Circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's second series (2010–2019)
Image Value Details
1 real Flag Handover.png 1 real Release date: 13 August 2012
Occasion: The Olympic Flag Handover for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics
Units produced: 2 million
Reverse: The Olympic Flag in a pole above the official logo of the Games of the XXXI Olympiad. In the outer ring, the inscriptions "Entrega da Bandeira Olímpica" (Olympic Flag Handover) and "Londres 2012—Rio 2016" (London 2012—Rio 2016)[22]
1Real (Olympic Games Rio 2016 - Atletism).png 1 Real (Olympic Games Rio 2016 - Swimming).png 1 Real (Olympic Games Rio 2016 - Basketball).png 1 Real (Olympic Games Rio 2016 - Paralympic Athletics).png 1 Real (Olympic Games Rio 2016 - Boxing).png 1 real Release dates: 28 November 2014, 17 April 2015, 7 August 2015, 19 February 2016 (four sets of four designs)
Occasion: 2016 Summer Olympics
Units produced: 20 million for each design
Reverse: Sixteen coin designs, representing athletics (triple jump), swimming, paralympic triathlon, golf, basketball, sailing, paralympic canoeing, rugby, football, volleyball, paralympic athletics (running), judo, boxing, paralympic swimming, and each mascot of the 2016 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.[22]
1 real Release date: 30 March 2015
Occasion: The 50th anniversary of the foundation of the Central Bank of Brazil
Units produced: 50 million
Reverse: The Central Bank building, its logo, and the inscription "50 anos" (50 years).[22]
1 real Release date: 28 August 2019
Occasion: The 25th anniversary of the creation of the Plano Real (1994–2019)
Units produced: 25 million
Reverse: A hummingbird feeding its chicks, based on the image of the 1 real banknote.

There were no circulating commemorative coins for the 200th anniversary of the Independence of Brazil, in 2022. Instead, the first circulating commemorative coin after the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil was released in 2024, for the 30th anniversary of the Real:

Circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's second series (2020–2029)
Image Value Details
1 real Release date: 24 September 2024
Occasion: The 30th anniversary of the creation of the Plano Real (1994–2024)
Units produced: 45 million[23]
Reverse: In the outer ring, the texts "30 years of the Real" and "1994 · 2024". In the inner ring, the Efígie da República, symbol of the Republic, alongside the symbol "R$".
The 2000 R$20 non-circulating commemorative coin celebrating the 500th anniversary of Brazil's discovery by the Portuguese (1500–2000)

Similarly to the first series, non-circulating commemorative coins have also been minted, with the following non-standard face values: R$2, R$5, R$10 and R$20 coins.[15] Likewise, even if they are worth more than their face value to collectors, they are nevertheless legal tender.[16]

There were 18 types of non-circulating commemorative coins released from 2000 through 2009:

Non-circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's second series (2000–2009)
Value Details
5 reais Release date: 27 October 2000
Occasion: 500th anniversary of Brazil's discovery by the Portuguese (1500–2000)
Units produced: 15.286
20 reais Release date: 27 October 2000
Occasion: 500th anniversary of Brazil's discovery by the Portuguese (1500–2000)
Units produced: 6.558
2 reais Release date: 12 September 2002
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the birth of Juscelino Kubitschek (1902–2002)
Units produced: 11.414
20 reais Release date: 12 September 2002
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the birth of Juscelino Kubitschek (1902–2002)
Units produced: 2.499
2 reais Release date: 12 December 2002
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the birth of Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902–2002)
Units produced: 6.959
20 reais Release date: 12 December 2002
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the birth of Carlos Drummond de Andrade (1902–2002)
Units produced: 2.499
5 reais Release date: 20 December 2002
Occasion: Commemorating Brazil's 5th FIFA World Cup win
Units produced: 9.999
20 reais Release date: 20 December 2002
Occasion: Commemorating Brazil's 5th FIFA World Cup win
Units produced: 2.499
2 reais Release date: 2 August 2003
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the birth of Ary Barroso (1903–2003)
Units produced: 4.958
20 reais Release date: 2 August 2003
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the birth of Ary Barroso (1903–2003)
Units produced: 2.481
2 reais Release date: 18 December 2003
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the birth of Candido Portinari (1903–2003)
Units produced: 2 thousand
2 reais Release date: 30 January 2004
Occasion: 100th anniversary of FIFA (1904–2004)
Units produced: 12.166
20 reais Release date: 30 January 2004
Occasion: 100th anniversary of FIFA (1904–2004)
Units produced: 4.060
2 reais Release date: 23 October 2006
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the Santos-Dumont 14-bis' famous flight (1906–2006)
Units produced: 4 thousand
2 reais Release date: 4 April 2007
Occasion: Commemorating the 2007 Pan American Games, which took place in Rio de Janeiro
Units produced: 10 thousand
5 reais Release date: 4 April 2007
Occasion: Commemorating the 2007 Pan American Games, which took place in Rio de Janeiro
Units produced: 4 thousand
5 reais Release date: 4 April 2007
Occasion: 200th anniversary of the arrival of the Portuguese royal family (1808–2008)
Units produced: 2 thousand
2 reais Release date: 18 June 2008
Occasion: 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigration to Brazil (via the Kasato Maru ship) (1908–2008)
Units produced: 10 thousand

From 2010 through 2019, 15 types of non-circulating commemorative coins were released:

Non-circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's second series (2010–2019)
Value Details
5 reais Release date: 21 April 2010
Occasion: 50th anniversary of the foundation of Brasília, capital of Brazil (1960–2010)
Units produced: 6 thousand
5 reais Release date: 21 May 2010
Occasion: Commemorating the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Units produced: 9 thousand
5 reais Release date: 1 July 2011
Occasion: 100th anniversary of Ouro Preto, former capital of Minas Gerais (1711–2011)
Units produced: 2 thousand
5 reais Release date: 13 August 2012
Occasion: The Olympic Flag Handover for the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics
Units produced: 14.127
5 reais Release date: 29 October 2012
Occasion: Commemorating the United Nations's International Year of Cooperatives (2012)
Units produced: 5 thousand
5 reais Release date: 15 November 2012
Occasion: Commemorating the city of Goiás, former capital of the state of Goiás
Units produced: 3 thousand
5 reais Release date: 6 December 2013
Occasion: Commemorating the city of Diamantina, Minas Gerais
Units produced: 3 thousand
10 reais Release date: 29 January 2014
Occasion: Commemorating the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Brazil
Units produced: 5 thousand
5 reais Release date: 29 January 2014
Occasion: Commemorating the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Brazil
Units produced (2 versions): 17.819 (mascot); 19.038 (globe)
2 reais Release date: 29 January 2014
Occasion: Commemorating the 2014 FIFA World Cup, which took place in Brazil
Units produced (6 versions): 19.959 (goalkeeper); 19.929 (chest); 19.723 (heading); 19.802 (pass); 19.952 (dribble); 19.993 (goal)
10 reais Release date: 28 November 2014 (100 metres); 17 April 2015 (pole vault); 7 August 2015 (freestyle wrestling); 19 February 2016 (Olympic torch)
Occasion: Commemorating the 2016 Summer Olympics, which took place in Rio de Janeiro
Units produced: 5 thousand (each)
5 reais Release date: 28 November 2014; 17 April 2015; 7 August 2015; 19 February 2016
Occasion: Commemorating the 2016 Summer Olympics, which took place in Rio de Janeiro
Units produced (4 versions): 18.700 + 17.500 + 18 thousand + 13.850 (rowing); 18.700 + 17.500 + 17 thousand + 13.900 (cycling); 18.700 + 17.500 + 17 thousand + 13.300 (athletics); 18.700 + 17.500 + 17.759 + 13.750 (beach volleyball)
5 reais Release date: 5 December 2014
Occasion: Commemorating the city of São Luís, capital of Maranhão
Units produced: 3 thousand
5 reais Release date: 3 December 2015
Occasion: Commemorating the city of Salvador, capital of Bahia
Units produced: 3 thousand
5 reais Release date: 25 November 2016
Occasion: Commemorating the city of Olinda, a city in Pernambuco
Units produced: 3 thousand

Since 2020, 3 types of non-circulating commemorative coins were released:

Non-circulating commemorative coins of the Brazilian real's second series (2020–2029)
Value Details
2 reais Release date: 26 July 2022
Occasion: 200th anniversary of the Independence of Brazil (1822–2022)
Units produced: 40.000 (as of 10 June 2024; 40.000 authorized)
5 reais Release date: 26 July 2022
Occasion: 200th anniversary of the Independence of Brazil (1822–2022)
Units produced: 15.013 (as of 10 June 2024; 20.000 authorized)
5 reais Release date: 11 April 2024
Occasion: 200th anniversary of the first Constitution of Brazil and the creation of the Brazilian legislative body (1824–2024)
Units produced: 5.614 (as of 10 June 2024; 10.000 authorized)

Trial strike controversy

[edit]
Balsemão's trial strike, nicknamed the "Real Bromélia" or "Real Balsemão"

In 2011, a collector named Pedro Pinto Balsemão claimed to have found a trial strike of the R$1, with a never before seen design, completely different from circulating 1 real coins.[24] Despite the initial skepticism, it was later supposedly confirmed via FOIA [pt] requests and interviews that Casa da Moeda do Brasil had minted trial strikes of the R$1 coin prior to the currency design change in 1998, with custom designs that were purposefully different to the final product as to avoid leaks.[25][26]

In May 2021, however, Bentes Group published an explanation as to why the "Real Bromélia" was not included in their Brazilian coins catalog. They claim to have done extensive research into the piece, and to have concluded that it is not a trial strike or test coin, but instead a sort of vending machine token with no numismatic value.[27]

Banknotes

[edit]

First series (1994–2010)

[edit]

In 1994, banknotes print "A" were issued by Casa da Moeda do Brasil in the amounts of 1, 5, 10, 50 and 100 reais, in addition to supplementary issues of banknotes ordered abroad in the values of 5, 10 and 50 reais of the print "B" produced abroad by the companies Giesecke+Devrient, Thomas de la Rue and François-Charles Oberthur Fiduciaire respectively. In 1997, modified banknotes of 1 real (print "B"), 5 and 10 reais (print "C") were launched, bearing the national flag as a watermark instead of the effigy of the republic in order to reduce the risk of such banknotes being used for counterfeiting banknotes at higher denominations. In 2000, the 10 reais commemorative banknote (print "D") was launched, and this banknote was the first polymer banknote to be issued in the country. In 2000 and 2001, the 2 and 20 reais banknotes were launched, respectively, using the sea turtle and the golden lion tamarin in the watermark and theme, and the 20 reais banknote was the first to make use of holographic elements on the Brazilian banknotes. In 2003, the print "C" of the 1 real banknote was put into circulation, which would have the name "República Federativa do Brasil" at the top in the place where the name "Banco Central do Brasil" was customarily placed, which was placed on the under the obverse of the bill, next to the word real. Such banknote ceased to be issued in 2005.

First series[28]
Image Value Dimensions Description
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse
1 real 140 mm × 65 mm The Republic's Effigy,
portrayed as a bust 		Sapphire-spangled emerald hummingbird (Amazilia lactea)
2 reais Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
5 reais Great egret (Casmerodius albus)
10 reais Green-winged macaw (Ara chlorepterus)
20 reais Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia)
50 reais Jaguar (Onça pintada, Panthera onca)
100 reais Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus)

Commemorative banknotes

[edit]

In April 2000, in commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Portuguese arrival on Brazilian shores, the Brazilian Central Bank released a polymer 10 real banknote that circulated along with the other banknotes above. The Brazilian Mint printed 250 million of these notes, which at the time accounted for about half of the 10 real banknotes in circulation.

Obverse Reverse Value Year Material Description
10 reais 2000 Polymer Obverse: Image of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the colonizer of Brazil.
Reverse: Stylized version of the map of Brazil, with pictures highlighting the ethnic and cultural plurality of the country.

Second series (2010–present)

[edit]

On 3 February 2010, the Central Bank of Brazil announced the new series of the real banknotes which would begin to be released in April 2010. The new design added security enhancements in an attempt to reduce counterfeiting. The notes have different sizes according to their values to help vision-impaired people. The changes were made reflecting the growth of the Brazilian economy and the need for a stronger and safer currency. The new banknotes began to enter circulation in December 2010, coexisting with the older ones.[29][30] On 29 July 2020, the Central Bank of Brazil announced the release of the 200 reais banknote.[31] It was released into circulation on 2 September 2020.[32]

Second series
Image Value Dimensions Main color Description Date of first issue Watermark
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse
2 reais 121 mm × 65 mm Blue Wave pattern; head of Republic Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) 29 July 2013 Hawksbill turtle and electrotype 2
5 reais 128 mm x 65 mm Purple Plants; head of Republic Great egret (Casmerodius albus) 29 July 2013 Great egret and electrotype 5
10 reais 135 mm × 65 mm Red Plants; head of Republic Green-winged macaw (Ara chlorepterus) 23 July 2012 Green-winged macaw and electrotype 10
20 reais 142 mm × 65 mm Yellow Plants; head of Republic Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) 23 July 2012 Golden lion tamarin and electrotype 20
50 reais 149 mm × 70 mm Brown Jungle plants; head of Republic Jaguar (Panthera onca) 13 December 2010 Jaguar and electrotype 50
100 reais 156 mm × 70 mm Cyan Underwater plants and starfish; head of Republic; coral Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus); coral 13 December 2010 Dusky Grouper and electrotype 100
200 reais 142 mm × 65 mm Grey Savanna plants; head of Republic Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) 2 September 2020 Maned wolf and electrotype 200

Among the security features of the second series is ultraviolet printing in the design, referred to as "fluorescent elements".[33] These appear and glow under ultraviolet light.

Exchange rates

[edit]

Current exchange rates

[edit]
Current BRL exchange rates
From Google Finance: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD ARS JPY USD
From Yahoo! Finance: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD ARS JPY USD
From XE.com: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD ARS JPY USD
From OANDA: AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD ARS JPY USD

Historical exchange rate

[edit]
Historical US$/BRL exchange rate with Lowest, Highest and Average rates
Historical US$/BRL exchange rate
The cost of one Euro in Brazilian real.
Brazilian Reais per US dollar 2002–2021
Year Lowest ↓ Highest ↑ Average
Date Rate Date Rate Rate
2002 11 April 2.2640 10 October 4.0050 2.9221
2003 2 July 2.818 14 February 3.7000 3.0780
2004 30 December 2.6540 22 May 3.2420 2.9260
2005 11 November 2.1630 15 March 2.7660 2.4349
2006 5 May 2.0560 24 May 2.4050 2.1782
2007 14 November 1.732 5 January 2.153 1.948
2008 31 July 1.5620 5 December 2.6210 1.8349
2009 15 October 1.698 2 March 2.4510 1.9974
2010 13 October 1.6550 5 February 1.8910 1.7603
2011 26 July 1.5284 22 September 1.9520 1.6750
2012 29 February 1.6920 3 December 2.1395 1.9546
2013 11 March 1.9430 21 August 2.4523 2.1576
2014 10 April 2.1825 16 December 2.7614 2.3531
2015 22 January 2.5554 23 September 4.2491 3.3910
2016 25 October 3.1023 22 January 4.1737 3.4300
2017 16 February 3.0390 19 May 3.3703 3.1855
2018 25 January 3.1463 14 September 4.2066 3.6644
2019 1 February 3.6447 28 November 4.2640 3.9437
2020 2 January 4.0195 14 May 5.8887 5.2420
2021 25 June 4.9142 14 September 5.8757 5.3975
Date Rate
1994-07-01 1.00
1994-10-14 0.83
1995-02-15 0.88
1995-12-29 0.97
1996-06-11 1.00
1996-12-31 1.04
1997-12-31 1.12
1998-12-31 1.20
1999-01-12 1.21
1999-01-13 1.31
1999-01-29 1.98
1999-03-03 2.16
1999-04-30 1.66
1999-12-31 1.78
2000-12-31 1.96
2001-05-02 2.23
2001-10-15 2.78
2002-01-25 2.38
2002-04-12 2.27
2002-06-27 2.83
2002-09-30 3.87
2002-10-12 3.93
2002-10-22 3.96
2002-12-27 3.53
2003-02-18 3.61
2003-06-28 2.87
2003-09-30 2.93
2003-12-28 2.93
2004-03-31 2.91
2004-05-23 3.18
2004-06-28 3.10
2004-09-30 2.85
2004-12-28 2.69
2005-02-19 2.56
2005-03-26 2.73
2005-06-28 2.38
2005-09-25 2.26
2005-11-11 2.17
2005-12-28 2.36
2006-03-27 2.15
2006-05-07 2.05
2006-12-29 2.13
2007-11-07 1.73
2008-08-01 1.56
2009-03-03 2.42
2009-10-14 1.71
2010-12-30 1.66
2011-07-23 1.53
2012-03-18 1.79
2012-08-19 2.01
2013-03-31 2.01
2013-07-13 2.26
2013-11-01 2.23
2014-01-23 2.40
2014-02-06 2.40
2014-10-23 2.50
2014-12-16 2.75
2015-01-22 2.56
2015-02-02 2.71
2015-03-06 3.05
2015-03-19 3.29
2015-04-24 2.95
2015-04-28 2.88
2015-05-08 2.97
2015-05-29 3.18
2015-08-06 3.53
2015-09-01 3.69
2015-09-04 3.80
2015-09-17 3.88
2015-09-22 4.05
2015-09-24 4.24
2015-09-25 3.97
2015-10-02 3.94
2015-10-09 3.75
2015-11-20 3.69
2015-12-03 3.74
2015-12-09 3.73
2016-02-23 3.97
2016-03-13 3.58
2016-06-30 3.18
2016-10-25 3.10
2017-02-14 3.09
2017-05-30 3.26
2017-07-28 3.17
2017-10-30 3.25
2017-12-29 3.30
2018-04-30 3.48
2018-08-30 4.18
2018-12-28 3.87
2019-04-30 3.97
2019-08-30 4.13
2019-12-30 4.03
2020-02-28 4.49
2020-04-30 5.42
2020-05-13 5.90
2020-08-28 5.46
2020-12-30 5.19
2021-03-30 5.76
2021-08-30 5.19
2021-12-30 5.58
2022-04-29 4.91
2022-08-28 5.06
2022-12-30 5.21
2023-04-28 5.00
2023-08-30 4.86
2023-12-29 4.84
2024-03-28 4.99
2024-05-29 5.19
2024-06-28 5.55
2024-08-30 5.65
2024-10-30 5.78
2024-12-27 6.19
Most traded currencies by value
Currency distribution of global foreign exchange market turnover[34]
Currency ISO 4217
code 		Symbol or
Abbrev.[35] 		Proportion of daily volume Change
(2019–2022)
April 2019 April 2022
U.S. dollar USD $, US$ 88.3% 88.5% Increase 0.2pp
Euro EUR € 32.3% 30.5% Decrease 1.8pp
Japanese yen JPY ¥, 円 16.8% 16.7% Decrease 0.1pp
Sterling GBP £ 12.8% 12.9% Increase 0.1pp
Renminbi CNY ¥, 元 4.3% 7.0% Increase 2.7pp
Australian dollar AUD $, A$ 6.8% 6.4% Decrease 0.4pp
Canadian dollar CAD $, Can$ 5.0% 6.2% Increase 1.2pp
Swiss franc CHF Fr., fr. 4.9% 5.2% Increase 0.3pp
Hong Kong dollar HKD $, HK$, 元 3.5% 2.6% Decrease 0.9pp
Singapore dollar SGD $, S$ 1.8% 2.4% Increase 0.6pp
Swedish krona SEK kr, Skr 2.0% 2.2% Increase 0.2pp
South Korean won KRW ₩, 원 2.0% 1.9% Decrease 0.1pp
Norwegian krone NOK kr, Nkr 1.8% 1.7% Decrease 0.1pp
New Zealand dollar NZD $, $NZ 2.1% 1.7% Decrease 0.4pp
Indian rupee INR ₹ 1.7% 1.6% Decrease 0.1pp
Mexican peso MXN $, Mex$ 1.7% 1.5% Decrease 0.2pp
New Taiwan dollar TWD $‎, NT$, 圓 0.9% 1.1% Increase 0.2pp
South African rand ZAR R 1.1% 1.0% Decrease 0.1pp
Brazilian real BRL R$ 1.1% 0.9% Decrease 0.2pp
Danish krone DKK kr., DKr 0.6% 0.7% Increase 0.1pp
Polish złoty PLN zł‎, Zl 0.6% 0.7% Increase 0.1pp
Thai baht THB ฿, B 0.5% 0.4% Decrease 0.1pp
Israeli new shekel ILS ₪, NIS 0.3% 0.4% Increase 0.1pp
Indonesian rupiah IDR Rp 0.4% 0.4% Steady
Czech koruna CZK Kč, CZK 0.4% 0.4% Steady
UAE dirham AED د.إ, Dh(s) 0.2% 0.4% Increase 0.2pp
Turkish lira TRY ₺, TL 1.1% 0.4% Decrease 0.7pp
Hungarian forint HUF Ft 0.4% 0.3% Decrease 0.1pp
Chilean peso CLP $, Ch$ 0.3% 0.3% Steady
Saudi riyal SAR ﷼, SRl(s) 0.2% 0.2% Steady
Philippine peso PHP ₱ 0.3% 0.2% Decrease 0.1pp
Malaysian ringgit MYR RM 0.2% 0.2% Steady
Colombian peso COP $, Col$ 0.2% 0.2% Steady
Russian ruble RUB ₽, руб 1.1% 0.2% Decrease 0.9pp
Romanian leu RON —, leu 0.1% 0.1% Steady
Peruvian sol PEN S/ 0.1% 0.1% Steady
Other currencies 2.0% 2.4% Increase 0.4pp
Total 200.0% 200.0%

See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ "Triennial Central Bank Survey Foreign exchange turnover in April 2019" (PDF). Triennial Central Bank Survey. Basel, Switzerland: Bank for International Settlements. 16 September 2019. p. 10. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  2. ^ https://agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br/economia/noticia/2024-06/real-completa-30-anos-com-desafio-de-manter-poder-de-compra
  3. ^ BNDES: Brazil in the 1990: a successful transition? page 10.
  4. ^ "Cotações e boletins". www4.bcb.gov.br. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  5. ^ "Baixos índices de confiança na economia indicam incertezas para o pós-pandemia". Senado Federal (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  6. ^ "In pictures: The coronavirus is surging in Brazil". CNN. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  7. ^ "Dólar sobe a R$5,90, bate recorde nominal e fica a 1,67% dos R$6". R7.com (in Brazilian Portuguese). 13 May 2020. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  8. ^ Martins, Raphael (4 November 2022). "A reação dos mercados na primeira semana após a eleição de Lula: bolsa em alta, dólar em queda" [Market's reaction in the first week after Lula's election: stocks high, dollar dropping]. G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  9. ^ Gerbelli, Luiz Guilherme; Silva, Maria Regina; Rocha, Silvana (4 November 2022). "Dólar cai 4,49% e Bolsa sobe 3,16% em semana marcada por vitória de Lula" [Dollar drops 4.49% and stocks grow 3.16% in week highlighted by Lula's victory]. Estadão (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 5 November 2022.
  10. ^ InfoMoney, Equipe (29 November 2024). "Dólar fecha a R$ 6 por 1ª vez na história, apesar de Lira e Pacheco acalmarem mercado". InfoMoney (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 30 November 2024.
  11. ^ "1 Real stainless steel coin exchange". Central Bank of Brazil.
  12. ^ a b Alvarenga, Darlan; Gasparin, Gabriela (1 July 2014). "Única fora de circulação, moeda original de R$ 1 é negociada a R$ 10" [The only one no longer circulating, the original R$ 1 coin is sold for R$ 10]. G1 (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 17 February 2021.
  13. ^ Circulating commemorative coin of the FAO 50th anniversary, 10 cents, Central Bank of Brazil.
  14. ^ Circulating commemorative coin of the FAO 50th anniversary, 25 cents, Central Bank of Brazil.
  15. ^ a b "Moedas do Real - Comemorativas". Central Bank of Brazil. December 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  16. ^ a b "Moedas Comemorativas - Razões para Adquirir" [Commemorative Coins - Reasons to Acquire]. Central Bank of Brazil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  17. ^ "Moedas de R$ 0,50 e R$ 1 foram alteradas". Agência Senado. 5 April 2004. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  18. ^ Castro, Fabrício de (4 November 2019). "BC coloca em circulação moedas produzidas por companhia holandesa". UOL. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  19. ^ Circulating commemorative coin of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 50th anniversary, Central Bank of Brazil.
  20. ^ Circulating commemorative coin of Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira 100th anniversary, Central Bank of Brazil.
  21. ^ Circulating commemorative coin of the 40th anniversary of the Banco Central do Brasil, Central Bank of Brazil.
  22. ^ a b c Real coins—commemorative, Central Bank of Brazil (in Portuguese).
  23. ^ "Moeda comemorativa dos 30 anos do Real começa a circular" [Coin commemorating 30 years of the Real starts to circulate]. Central Bank of Brazil (in Brazilian Portuguese). 24 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  24. ^ Balsemão, Pedro Pinto (23 March 2012). "Réplica do Real 1997" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  25. ^ Pippi, Emerson (19 December 2018). "Real Balsemão: os segredos da Bromélia" [Balsemão Real: the secrets of the Bromelia] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  26. ^ Cruz, Felipe Branco (5 December 2017). "Qual é o nome da mulher que aparece nas cédulas de real?". UOL (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  27. ^ "O "token" bromélia" (in Brazilian Portuguese). Bentes Group. 18 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
  28. ^ "BC - Cédulas comuns" [Central Bank - Common banknotes]. Central Bank of Brazil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on 31 October 2003. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  29. ^ Cucolo, Eduardo (13 December 2010). "Novas cédulas do real devem chegar a todas as capitais em até 48 horas" [New Real banknotes should arrive within 48 hours in all capitals]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  30. ^ Brazil introduces new 10- and 20-real banknotes on 23 July 2012 Archived 16 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine BanknoteNews.com. Retrieved 2012-07-24.
  31. ^ "Banco Central lançará cédula de 200 reais". Banco Central do Brasil. Retrieved 2020-07-29
  32. ^ "Cédula de R$ 200 entra em circulação hoje". Agência Brasil. Retrieved 2020-09-02
  33. ^ "Segunda Família do Real – Cartilha de treinamento" (PDF) (in Brazilian Portuguese). Central Bank of Brazil. 2013. p. 18.
  34. ^ Triennial Central Bank Survey Foreign exchange turnover in April 2022 (PDF) (Report). Bank for International Settlements. 27 October 2022. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 October 2022.
  35. ^ "Currency Units". Editorial Style Guide (PDF). World Bank Publications. p. 134–139.
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