121) Brazilian Currency: Brazilian Real or “Real Brasileiro” (in Portuguese):

121) Brazilian Currency: Brazilian Real or “Real Brasileiro” (in Portuguese):

Brazilian Currencies leading up to the present Banknote issues: 

The Portuguese Real was the currency used by the first Portuguese settlers who arrived in the Americas.

The first official money to circulate widely bearing the name Real was minted in 1654 by the Dutch during their occupation of part of the Brazilian Northeast.

Since 1790, the currency circulating in Brazil was the Portuguese Real when Brazil was a colony of Portugal. 

Even after Brazil became independent in 1822, the Real continued to be in circulation till 1942. This currency was designated as the “old Brazilian Real” (also called the “Reis” – in singular and “Reais” in plural.

From 1942 to 1967, the Cruzeiro (first) – equal to 1000 Reais – was in circulation.

Thereafter, 1967 to 1970 the Cruzeiro (novo) – equal to 1000 Cruzeiros – in circulation.

From 1970 to 1986, the Cruzeiro (second) – equal to 1 Cruzeiro novo – remained in circulation.

From 1986 to 1989, the Cruzado – equal to 1000 Cruzeiros – was in circulation.

From 1989 to 1990, the Cruzado (novo) – equal to 1000 Cruzados – was in circulation.

From 1990 to 1993, the Cruzeiro (third) – equal to 1000 Cruzados novos – was circulated. 

From 1993 to 1994, the Cruzeiro Real – equal to 1000 Cruzeiros – remained in circulation. 

From 1994 onwards, a new currency was introduced and the old name “Rea”l was revived for this currency. The “Real (modern)” – pronounced as “Reis” (singular) or “Reais” (plural) has been in circulation. As a matter of academic interest, on a calculation basis regarding comparative values, the Real (Modern) is equivalent to 2750 Cruzeiros Reais.

Brazilian Real - BRL:

The Brazilian Real (modern) or Reais (plural) is the present circulating currency of Brazil. Each Brazilian Real is equivalent to/subdivided into 100 centavos. The Portuguese term “Real” stands for “Royal” as well as “Real”. 

The Brazilian Real circulates not only in Brazil, but is also accepted on the Brazil-Uruguay and Brazil Paraguay borders where Brazilians go for purchasing at duty free stores/outlets.

On 01.07.1994, the modern Real was introduced as part of the “Plano Real”, which was part of a Monetary Reform measure aimed at rooting out rampant inflation (which had been plaguing Brazil for around thirty years) and stabilising the Brazilian economy.

Assessment of Equivalent values:

When the Brazilian Real (modern) was first circulated it was defined as being equal to 1 “Unidade Real de Valor” (URV or “Real Value Unit”). 

Interestingly, the URV is only a means for calculating values and is not a circulating currency unit. The URV was defined as being equivalent to 2750 cruzeiros Reais which was the value of one US dollar on the date of introduction of the new currency. Later the value of the Brazilian Real gained appreciably and traded at 1.20 Reais to a US dollar and even 1 Reis to 1 US dollar at one point of time between 1996 to 1998, before slipping up somewhat to about 2 Reais to a US dollar by 2007, a valuation which it has retained to the present day.

 Thus, going back, one modern Brazilian Real upon introduction, equalled 2.75 “sextillion” Reais (or 2.75 with 19 zeros) times the old Portuguese Real.

The Banco Central do Brazil or the Central Bank of Brazil:

The Banco Central do Brazil was established on 31.12.1964 and is the Central Bank and principal monetary authority of Brazil. Prior to its creation the Brazilian Monetary Authorities were divided into the Currency and Credit Superintendence (SUMOC), the Bank of Brazil or Banco do Brasil (BB) and the National Treasury.

Casa da Moeda do Brazil:

The Casa da Moeda do Brazil is the Brazilian Mint owned by the Brazilian Government established way back in 1694, with its present headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.

Since inception it was minting gold, silver and copper coins and is presently producing legal tender coins, Banknotes, medals, security prints – passports, subway tokens, postage stamps etc. This mint has the best technology as well as the biggest production capacity for any South American nation.

Banknotes of the Brazilian Real (modern):

The First Series of Banknotes – (introduced in 1994):

The denominations which went into circulation under the First Series of Banknotes:

The Front of all the Banknotes under this Series depicted the Brazilian Republic in the form of a bust/portrayed as a sculpture. The size of all the Banknotes was 140 x 65 mm.

On the Back, the 100 Reais Banknote showed a “Dusky Grouper” (Garoupa or Epinephelus marginatus), which is a fish of the family Serranidae and it is one of the most well known fishes on the Brazilian coast. Also mentioned on this face is “CEM REAIS” (meaning “HUNDRED REALS”).The colour of this Banknote is blue.

On the Back, the 50 Reais Banknote showed a Jaguar (“Onca pintada” or the “Panthera onca”).  It is a large and beautiful cat, which is threatened with extinction. It is found in the Amazon Basin and in the Mato Grosso forests. Also mentioned on this face is “CINQOENTA REAIS” (meaning “FIFTY REALS”).The colour of this Banknote is brown.

On the Back, the 20 Reais Banknote showed a “Golden Lion Tamarin” (Mico-Leao dourado, Leontopithecus rosalia). It is a reddish orange to golden brown primate, with a long tail and is found in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. It is a symbol of the conservation efforts being made for the preservation of endangered Brazilian species. Also mentioned on this face is “VINTE REAIS” (meaning “TWENTY REALS”).The colour of this Banknote is yellow and orange.

On the Back, the 10 Reais Banknote showed a “Greenwing Macaw” (Ara chlorepterus). The Greenwing Macaw is a large colourful parrot belonging to the “Psittacidae family. It is found in Brazil and in other Latin American countries. Also mentioned on this face is “DEZ REAIS” (meaning “TEN REALS”). The colour of this Banknote is crimson. This denomination was introduced in 1994.

On the Back, the 5 Reais Banknote showed a “Great Egret” (Casmerodius albus). It is a long-legged wading bird of the Family “Ardeidae”. It is found in abundance in the Brazilian territories. Also mentioned on this face is “CINCO REAIS” (meaning “FIVE REALS”). The colour of this Banknote is violet. This denomination was introduced in 1994.

On the Back, the 2 Reais Banknote showed a “Hawksbill turtle” (Eretmochelys imbricata).  It is one of the five sea turtle species found on the Brazilian coast. Also mentioned on this face is “DOIS REAIS” (meaning”TWO REALS”).The colour of this Banknote is blue and gray. This denomination was introduced in 2000.

On the Back, the 1 Real Banknote showed a “Sapphire- spangled Emerald Hummingbird” (Amazilia lactea). It is found mainly in South America and more than a hundred species are found in Brazil. Also mentioned on this face is “UM REAL” (meaning “ONE REAL”).  The colour of this Banknote is green. This denomination was introduced in 1994.

The Second Series of Banknotes (introduced on 03.02.2010):

The Central Bank of Brazil circulated a new Series of Banknotes from December 2010. These Banknotes came with additional security features for reducing counterfeiting. They also had different sizes to facilitate the visually challenged persons to easily identify the Banknote denominations. Banknotes of the first series, however, continued to circulate as legal tender. The Banknote denominations of the earlier Series were retained except for the 1 Real Banknote, which was kept out of the new Series because of the adverse cost-effectiveness for printing these Banknotes.

On the Front, the 100 Reais Banknote is depicted the Brazilian Republic in the form of a bust (head of Republica)/portrayed as a sculpture. Also shown are some underwater plants, starfish and coral. The colour of this Banknote is Aqua and light blue.

This denomination has the date of issue mentioned as 2010, but it was released for circulation on 13.12.2010. It also has a watermark of a Grouper and electrotype of the numeral “100”. The size of this Banknote is 156 mm x 70 mm.

  

 On the Back of the 100 Reais Banknote is shown a “Garoupa” (Grouper) fish and coral. 

The Dusky Grouper (Epinephelus marginatus), which is a fish of the Family Serranidae is one of the most commonly found on the Brazilian coast. On the top of the Banknote is seen the issuing Bank’s name “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRAZIL” (“Central Bank of Brazil”). On the top right hand and bottom left hand corners is the Banknote’s serial number. Also on the bottom right of the Banknote one can see “CEM REAIS” (or Hundred Reals) is mentioned, which is the denomination of this Banknote. The Banknote has been printed by CASA DA MONEDA DO BRASIL” whose name appears vertically on the right hand side of the Banknote.

On the Front, the 50 Reais Banknote is depicted the Brazilian Republic in the form of a bust (head of Republica)/ portrayed as a sculpture. Also shown are some Jungle plants. On the top is mentioned “REPUBLICA FEDETATIVA DO BRASIL” (“Federal Republic of Brazil”).  To the right of the image of “Republica” is mentioned “DEUS SEJA LOUVADO”. The colour of this Banknote is brown and olive green/beige. 

This denomination has the date of issue mentioned as 2010, but it was released for circulation on 13.12.2010. It also has a watermark of a Jaguar and electrotype of the numeral “50”. The size of this Banknote is 149 mm x 70 mm.

On the Back of the 50 Reais Banknote is shown a Jaguar (“Panthera Onca” or “Onca Pintada”), which is a large and beautiful cat, threatened with extinction, found mainly in the Amazon Basin and in the Matto Grosso forests. On the top of the Banknote is seen the issuing Bank’s name “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRAZIL” (“Central Bank of Brazil”). On the top right hand and bottom left hand corners is the Banknote’s serial number. Also on the bottom right of the Banknote one can see “CINQUENTA REAIS” (or Fifty Reals) is mentioned, which is the denomination of this Banknote. The Banknote has been printed by CASA DA MONEDA DO BRASIL” whose name appears vertically on the right hand side of the Banknote.

On the Front, the 20 Reais Banknote is depicted the Brazilian Republic in the form of a bust (head of “Republica”)/ portrayed as a sculpture. Also shown are some plants. On the top is mentioned “REPUBLICA FEDETATIVA DO BRASIL” (“Federal Republic of Brazil”).  To the right of the image of “Republica” is mentioned “DEUS SEJA LOUVADO”. This denomination has the date of issue mentioned as 2010, but it was released for circulation on 23.07.2012.  The colour of this Banknote is yellow and orange/beige.

It also has a watermark of a Golden lion Tamarin and electrotype of the numeral “20”. The size of this Banknote is 156 mm x 70 mm.

On the Back of the 20 Reais Banknote is shown a Mico-Leao-Dourado (Golden Lion Tamarin – Leontopithecus rosalia). It is a reddish orange to golden brown primate, with a long tail and is found in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. It is a symbol of the conservation efforts being made for the preservation of endangered Brazilian species.

On the top of the Banknote is seen the issuing Bank’s name “BANCO CENTRAL DO BRAZIL” (“Central Bank of Brazil”). On the top right hand and bottom left hand corners is the Banknote’s serial number. Also on the bottom right of the Banknote one can see “VINTE REAIS” (or Twenty Reals) is mentioned, which is the denomination of this Banknote. The Banknote has been printed by CASA DA MONEDA DO BRASIL” whose name appears vertically on the right hand side of the Banknote.

On the Front, the 10 Reais Banknote is depicted the Brazilian Republic in the form of a bust (head of Republica)/portrayed as a sculpture . Also shown are some plants. The colour of this Banknote is red. The size of this Banknote is 135 mm x 65 mm. 

This denomination has the date of issue mentioned as 2010, but it was released for circulation on 23.07.2012. It also has a watermark of a Macaw and electrotype of the numeral “10”. 

On the Back of the 10 Reais Banknote is shown a “Greenwing Macaw” (Ara chlorepterus). The Greenwing Macaw is a large colourful parrot belonging to the “Psittacidae family. It is found in Brazil and in other Latin American countries. 

On the Front, the 5 Reais Banknote is depicted the Brazilian Republic in the form of a bust (head of Republica)/ portrayed as a sculpture. Also shown are some plants. The colour of this Banknote is purple. 

This denomination has the date of issue mentioned as 2010, but it was released for circulation on 29.07.2013. It also has a watermark of a Great Egret and electrotype of the numeral “5”.

On the Back of the 5 Reais Banknote is shown a Great Egret. It is a long-legged wading bird of the Family “Ardeidae”. It is found in abundance in the Brazilian territories.

On the Front, the 2 Reais Banknote is depicted the Brazilian Republic in the form of a bust (head of Republica)/ portrayed as a sculpture. Also shown is a wave pattern. The colour of this Banknote is blue and gray. The size of this Banknote is 140 mm x 65 mm.

This denomination has the date of issue mentioned as 2010, but it was released for circulation on 29.07.2013. It also has a watermark of asea-turtle and electrotype of the numeral “2”.

On the Back of the 2 Reais Banknote is shown a “Hawksbill turtle” (Eretmochelys imbricata).  It is one of the five sea turtle species found on the Brazilian coast.

Both Series of Banknotes are in circulation and are legal tender.

 Commemorative Polymer issue in April 2000:

In April 2000, to commemorate the 500^th Anniversary of the Portuguese coming to Brazil, a 10 Reais Banknote was issued by the Brazilian Central Bank. The Front of the Banknote, inter alia, showing Pedro Alvares Cabral, the Portuguese leader of the expedition and five ships from Cabral’s expedition. A portion of Pedro Vaz de Caminha’s letter to King Manuel I of Portugal, enumerating the first known commentary on Brazil and a copy of the map “Terra Brasilis” showing the territories of Brazil for the first time are also printed on the Banknote. In the background, the Cross of the Order of Christ is shown which was carried by all Portuguese ships at that time – an indication that all new territories were being captured/occupied by them in the name Christ.

The Back of this Banknote carries a stylised map of Brazil with images of ethnic Brazilian people.

 (The Banknotes shown in this post are from the collection of Jayant Biswas. Banknotes scanned and article researched by Rajeev Prasad)

Links to some other interesting posts on South American countries & Mexico:

1) The Travels of a silver Mexican Peso struck in 1898 and restruck in 1949 for the Chinese Government

2) Brazilian Currency: Brazilian Real

3) The 31st Summer Olympics 2015 or Rio-2016 - Brazil

4) Currency and Coinage of Guatemala

5) Currency and Coinage of the Republic of Chile (Part I)

6) Currency and Coinage of the Republic of Chile (Part II)

7) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Part I)

8) Banknotes and Coinage of Colombia (Part II)

9) Currency and Coinage of Mexico - Pesos and Centavos (Part I)

10) Currency and Coinage of Mexico - Pesos and Centavos (Part II)

11) Evita or Eva Peron - A Commemorative/Circulating 100 Pesos Banknote issued on her in 2012

12) Currency and Coinage of Peru: Nuevo Sol and Centavo (Part I)

13) Currency and Coinage of Peru: Nuevo Sol and Centavo (Part II)

14) Currency and Coinage of Peru: Nuevo Sol and Centavo (Part III)

15) 2014 FIFA World Cup held at Brazil