Brazilian cruzeiro real
A 1993 CR$5,000 banknote
ISO 4217
CodeBRR
Unit
Unitcruzeiro real
Pluralcruzeiros reais
SymbolCR$‎
Denominations
Subunit
 1⁄100centavo
(only used for accounting purposes)
Banknotes
 Freq. used50, 100, 500, 1000, 5000 and 50,000 cruzeiros reais
Coins
 Freq. used5, 10, 50, 100 cruzeiros reais
Demographics
ReplacedCruzeiro (3rd version)
Replaced byReal
User(s) Brazil
Issuance
Central bankCentral Bank of Brazil
 Websitewww.bc.gov.br
PrinterCasa da Moeda do Brasil
 Websitewww.casadamoeda.com.br
MintCasa da Moeda do Brasil
 Websitewww.casadamoeda.com.br
This infobox shows the latest status before this currency was rendered obsolete.

The cruzeiro real (, plural: cruzeiros reais) was the short-lived currency of Brazil between August 1, 1993, and June 30, 1994. It was subdivided in 100 centavos; however, this unit was used only for accounting purposes, and the coins and banknotes still valid for cruzeiro between 10 and 500 cruzeiros were used for the purpose of corresponding to the cents of that coin, especially when the redenomination was carried out. The currency had the ISO 4217 code BRR.

This redenomination, at the beginning of the second half of 1993, was made with the objective of facilitating the accounting of day-to-day activities, which in the previous unit implied the placement of several zeros that made it difficult to record values in calculators and machines.

The cruzeiro real was replaced with the current Brazilian real as part of the Plano Real.

History

The cruzeiro real replaced the third cruzeiro, with 1000 cruzeiros = 1 cruzeiro real. The cruzeiro real was replaced in circulation by the real at a rate of 1 real for 2750 cruzeiros reais. Before this occurred, the unidade real de valor (pegged to the U.S. dollar at parity) was used in pricing, to allow the population to become accustomed to a stable currency (after many years of high inflation) before the real was introduced.

Coins

Standard circulation stainless-steel coins were issued in 1993 and 1994 in denominations of 5, 10, 50 and 100 cruzeiros reais. The reverse of the coins portrayed iconic animals of the Brazilian fauna.

No commemorative coins were issued for the Cruzeiro Real.

Coins of the Cruzeiro Real
Reverse Obverse Value Details
CR$5 Portrays macaws
CR$10 Portrays a giant anteater
CR$50 Portrays jaguars
CR$100 Portrays a maned wolf

The macaw and jaguar were represented again in the Real's R$10 and R$50 bills, respectively, after their introduction in 1994, and the maned wolf was later portrayed in the R$200 bill since its introduction in late 2020.[1]

Banknotes

The 50,000 cruzeiro real banknote had the shortest time in circulation: it was released on March 30, 1994, Plano Real was introduced on July 1, 1994, and it ceased to be legal tender on September 15 of that year.[2]

In 1993, provisional banknotes were introduced in the form of cruzeiro notes overprinted in the new currency. These were in denominations of 50, 100 and 500 cruzeiros reais. Regular notes followed in denominations of 1000, 5000 and 50,000 cruzeiros reais. The 10,000 cruzeiros reais banknote was designed and scheduled to be put into circulation in the first months of 1994, but inflation and the impending release of a new economic plan put its release on hold and only the 50,000 Cruzeiro real banknote was released.[3]

References

  1. ^ Fonseca, Jaqueline (31 July 2020). "Conheça o lobo-guará, animal do cerrado que estampa nota de R$ 200". Correio Braziliense (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  2. ^ 50,000 Cruzeiro real banknote Brazilian Central Bank Museum, accessed in January 3, 2016.
  3. ^ Dez Mil Cruzeiros Reais (1993) - A Cédula que Nunca Circulou Archived 2015-06-07 at the Wayback Machine Dinheiro de Metal, accessed in January 3, 2016.

External links

Historical currencies of Brazil
Categories