Venezuelan bolívar
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ISO 4217 Code | VEB |
| User(s) | Venezuela |
| Inflation | 16% |
| Source | The World Factbook, 2005 est. |
| Subunit | |
| 1/100 | céntimo |
| Symbol | Bs |
| Plural | bolívares |
| Coins | 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000 bolívares |
| Banknotes | 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 bolívares |
| Central bank | Banco Central de Venezuela |
| Website | www.bcv.org.ve |
The bolívar (ISO currency code: VEB; locally abbreviated as Bs.) is the currency of Venezuela. It is nominally subdivided into 100 céntimos, although coins denominated in céntimos no longer circulate.
The bolívar was introduced in 1879, replacing the short-lived venezolano at a rate of 1 venezolano = 5 bolívares. Until the 1970s, the bolívar was the region's most stable and internationally accepted currency. Subsequently, it has fallen victim to high inflation.
Since March 1, 2005, the currency has been officially pegged to the U.S. dollar at a fixed exchange rate of 2150 bolívares to the dollar by the BCV.[1]. However, Yahoo! quoted a rate of 3053.7 bolívares to the dollar on December 8, 2006. [2]
Contents |
[edit] Coins
The coins in current circulation are:
- 10 bolívares
- 20 bolívares
- 50 bolívares
- 100 bolívares
- 500 bolívares
- 1,000 bolívares (new in 2006)
All the coins have the same design. On the obverse it is depicted the left profile of the Libertador Simón Bolívar, together with the inscription "Bolívar Libertador", within a heptagon, symbolizing the seven stars of the flag. At the reverse it is depicted the coat of arms, circled by the official name of the country, the emission year and the denomination below. Since 2001 the reverse design was changed, putting the denomination of the coin at the right of the shield of the coat of arms, semicircled by the official name of the country and the year of its emission below.
[edit] Banknotes
The following is a list of Venezuelan banknotes in current circulation. The earlier designs of the 1000, 2000 and 5000 banknotes are still in use, together with their new design.
| Image | Denomination | Emission Year | Obverse | Reverse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
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500 bolívares | 1981 | Simón Bolívar | A branch of orchids |
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1,000 bolívares | 1991 | Simón Bolívar | Signing of the Venezuelan Declaration of Independence |
 |
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1,000 bolívares (new design) |
1998 | Simón Bolívar | A branch of orchids, the Cerro El Ávila, and the Panteón Nacional |
 |
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2,000 | 1994 | Antonio José de Sucre | The Battle of Junín |
 |
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2,000 bolívares (new design) |
1998 | Andrés Bello | A picture of frailejones and a view of the Pico Bolívar |
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5,000 bolívares | 1994 | Simón Bolívar and his coat of arms | A reproduction of the painting El 19 de Abril de 1810 by Juan Lovera |
 |
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5,000 bolívares (new design) |
2000 | Francisco de Miranda | Picture of two angelfishes and a panorama of the Guri Dam. |
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10,000 bolívares | 2000 | Antonio José de Sucre | A Marpesia petreus butterfly and the Tribunal Supremo de Justicia |
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20,000 bolívares | 2000 | Simón Rodríguez and the Angel Falls in the background | A Blue-and-yellow Macaw and the Angel Falls |
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50,000 bolívares | 1998 | José María Vargas | The Student's Square in the Ciudad Universitaria and the clock in it |
| Use Yahoo! Finance: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
| Use XE.com: | AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD |
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ List of BCV official exchange rates (2000 - present)
- ^ Yahoo! Finance open market quote (accessed December 8, 2006)
