Nicaraguan córdoba

Nicaraguan córdoba
Córdoba Nicaragüense (Spanish)
ISO 4217 code NIO
User(s)  Nicaragua
Inflation 3.70%
Source [2], 2010
Subunit
1/100 centavo
Symbol C$
Coins 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos, C$1, C$5, C$10
Banknotes C$10, C$20, C$50, C$100, C$200, C$500
Central bank Central Bank of Nicaragua
Website www.bcn.gob.ni

The córdoba (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈkorðoβa], sign: C$; code: NIO) is the currency of Nicaragua. It is divided into 100 centavos

Contents

History

The first córdoba was introduced on March 20, 1912. It replaced the peso at a rate of 12½ pesos = 1 córdoba & was initially equal to the US dollar. It was named after the founder of Nicaragua, Francisco Hernández de Córdoba.

On February 15, 1988, the 2nd córdoba was introduced. It was equal to 1000 1st córdobas. On April 30, 1991 the third córdoba, also called the córdoba oro, was introduced, worth 5,000,000 2nd córdobas. As of September 17, 2009, 20.555 córdobas oro equals one dollar.

Coins

First córdoba

In 1912, coins were introduced in denominations of ½, 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos and 1 córdoba. The ½ & 1 centavo were minted in bronze, the 5 centavos in cupro-nickel and the higher denominations in silver. The 1 córdoba was only minted in 1912, whilst ½ centavo production ceased in 1937.

In 1939, cupro-nickel replaced silver on the 10, 25 & 50 centavos. In 1943, a single year issue of brass 1, 5, 10 & 25 centavos was made. These were the last 1 centavo coins. In 1972, cupro-nickel 1 córdoba coins were issued, followed, in 1974, by aluminium 5 and 10 centavos.

A new series of coins, featuring a portrait of Augusto César Sandino, was introduced in 1981, consisting of aluminum 5 & 10 centavos, nickel-clad steel 25 centavos & cupro-nickel 50 centavos, 1 & 5 córdobas. Nickel clad steel replaced cupro nickel between 1983 and 1984. In 1987, the final coins of the 1st córdoba were issued, featuring Sandino's characteristic hat. Aluminum 5, 10 & 25 centavos and aluminium-bronze 50 centavos, 1 & 5 córdobas were issued, together with aluminium 500 córdobas.

25 centavos,50 centavos & 1 córdoba minted in 1985 were mostly recalled and destroyed by central bank. a few of 1 cordoba were circulated as seen.

2nd córdoba

No coins were issued for this currency.

3rd córdoba (córdoba oro)

In 1994, coins were issued in denominations of 5, 10, 25 & 50 centavos. All were minted in chrome-plated steel. In 1997, nickel-clad steel 50 centavos, 1 & 5 córdobas were introduced, followed by copper-plated steel 5 centavos & brass-plated steel 10 & 25 centavos in 2002 & brass-plated steel 10 cordobas in 2007.

All current coins have the coat of arms of the country on the obverse and the numeral of the denomination on the reverse.

1997 Series
Value Technical parameters Description Date of first minting
Diameter Mass Composition Edge Obverse Reverse
5 centavos 18.5 mm 3 g Copper plated steel Plain Coat of arms Value, "EN DIOS CONFIAMOS"1, year of minting 2002
10 centavos 20.5 mm 4 g Brass plated steel Reeded and plain sections Coat of arms Value, "EN DIOS CONFIAMOS", year of minting 2002
25 centavos 23.2 mm 5 g
50 centavos Nickel clad steel Coat of arms Value, "EN DIOS CONFIAMOS", year of minting 1997
1 córdoba
5 córdobas
10 cordobas 26.5 mm 8.5 g Brass plated steel Lettered Coat of arms Value, figure, year of minting 2007
For table standards, see the coin specification table.

Remarks

  1. "EN DIOS CONFIAMOS" - In God we trust

Banknotes

First córdoba

In 1912, the National Bank of Nicaragua introduced notes for 10, 25 and 50 centavos, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 córdobas, together with old 50 centavos and 1 peso notes overprinted for 4 and 8 centavos of the new currency. In 1934, all circulating banknotes were exchanged for notes which had been overprinted with "REVALIDO" ("revalidated"). The last notes for less than 1 córdoba were dated 1938. In 1945, 500 córdobas notes were introduced, followed by 1000 córdobas in 1953.

In 1962, the Central Bank of Nicaragua took over paper money issuance. The 1 córdoba notes were replaced by coins in 1972. After 5 córdobas coins were introduced in 1981, 2 and 5 córdobas notes were withdrawn. In 1987, 5000 córdobas notes were introduced, followed by overprinted 10,000 (on 10), 20,000 (on 20), 50,000 (on 50), 100,000 (on 100), 100,000 (on 500), 200,000 (on 1,000), 500,000 (on 20), 500,000 (on 1,000) and 1,000,000 (on 1,000) córdobas notes as inflation drastically reduced the córdoba's value.

Second córdoba

The second córdoba was only issued in banknote form. Notes (dated 1985) were issued in 1988 in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 córdobas together with undated 5000 córdobas. In 1989, notes for 20,000 and 50,000 córdobas were introduced, followed the next year by 5 million and 10 million córdobas notes.

Third córdoba (córdoba oro)

In 1991, notes were introduced for 1, 5, 10 and 25 centavos, ½, 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 córdobas. The notes below 1 córdoba were replaced by coins in 1994, with 5 córdobas notes also being replaced in 1997. 500 córdobas notes were introduced in 2002.

Famous people from Nicaragua's history are depicted on the obverses of the current banknotes. The reverses depict landmarks or natural habitats in the country.

2002 Series
Image Value Main Color Description Date of printing
Obverse Reverse
C$10 Green Miguel Larreynaga Islets of Granada 2002
C$20 Orange José Santos Zelaya Atlantic Beach
C$50 Purple Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Fortress of El Castillo de la Inmaculada Concepción
C$100 Blue Rubén Darío Rubén Darío National Theatre
C$500 Red José Dolores Estrada Hacienda San Jacinto
For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

2009 Series

On May 15, 2009, polymer ten and twenty córdoba notes were issued to replace their paper counterparts.[1] A new polymer two hundred and a paper one hundred córdoba banknote was first issued on June 1, 2009. A new polymer 50 córdoba was issued on December 3, 2009. The new designed paper 500 córdoba banknote was introduced on January 12, 2010.[2] A commemorative design of the 50 córdobas was introduced on September 15, 2010.[3]

2009 Series [3]
Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse Watermark printing issue
10 Cordobas1 131 × 67 mm   Green Fortress of the Immaculate Conception, Rio San Juan Hacienda San Jacinto "10", slighted tilted above El Castillo on the upper right hand side. 2009 May 15, 2009
20 Cordobas2 136 × 67 mm   Yellow Hut of natives on the eastern coast of the Caribbean. Illustration of the Palo de Mayo dance "20", Girl pounding grain May 15, 2009
50 Cordobas 141 x 67 mm   Violet National ceramic of Nicaragua Canyon of Somoto National ceramic of Nicaragua, "50" watermark December 3, 2009
50 Cordobas 67 x 141 mm   Violet First building of the Central Bank Canyon of Somoto "50" watermark 2010 September 16, 2010
100 Cordobas 146 × 67 mm   Blue Monument to Ruben Dario Cathedral of Leon. Emblem of the Central Bank of Nicaragua; watermark of a lion. 2009 June 1, 2009
200 Cordobas 151 × 67 mm   Brown El Güegüense Ometepe Island, the national bird, the Momotus momota. "200", The Guegense with watermark and cape. 2009 June 1, 2009
500 Cordobas 156 x 67 mm   Red Residential Museum of Augusto César Sandino Native statues "500" watermark, Sandino 2010 January 12, 2010
These images are to scale at 0.7 pixels per millimeter. For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

Historical exchange rates

Current NIO exchange rates
From Google Finance: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From Yahoo! Finance: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From OzForex: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From XE.com: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
From OANDA.com: AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1900518,00.html
  2. ^ Banknote news accessed 2010-01-18
  3. ^ [1]

External links