Nicaraguan córdoba

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Short description: Currency of Nicaragua
Nicaraguan córdoba
Córdoba nicaragüense (Spanish)
1 córdoba banknote issued in 1941, displaying the daughter of Anastasio Somoza García[1]
ISO 4217
CodeNIO (numeric: 558)
before 1991: NIC
Subunit0.01
Unit
SymbolC$
Denominations
Subunit
 ​1100centavo
BanknotesC$10, C$20, C$50, C$100, C$200, C$500, C$1000
Coins10, 25, 50 centavos, C$1, C$5, C$10
 Rarely used5 Centavos, 10 Cordobas
Demographics
Date of introduction1912[2]
ReplacedNicaraguan peso
User(s) Nicaragua
Issuance
Central bankCentral Bank of Nicaragua
 Websitewww.bcn.gob.ni
Valuation
Inflation0.87% (2025)[3]

The córdoba (es, sign: C$; code: NIO) is the currency of Nicaragua. It is subdivided into 100 centavos.[4]

History

The first córdoba was introduced with the new National Bank of Nicaragua (Banco Nacional de Nicaragua Incorporado) which was created in 1912, after which the government of Adolfo Díaz promulgated the Monetary Conversion Law, in March 1912. This law created the monetary unit "córdoba", named after Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, founder of Nicaragua and the cities of León and Granada, but due to the prevailing political instability at that time, the córdoba did not circulate until 1913. It replaced the peso moneda corriente, the Nicaraguan currency between 1878 and 1912.[5]

In 1960 the Central Bank of Nicaragua (BCN) was founded and the banknotes and coins that until that date were issued by the National Bank of Nicaragua, began to be issued by the central bank.[5]

From 1979 onwards, a period characterised by high inflation began, which caused the currency to lose value and led to the currency exchange and conversion operation of 14 February 1988, in which the córdoba, under the Sandinista regime's "Operation Berta" (Operación Berta), was replaced by the "new córdoba" (córdoba nuevo) at an exchange rate of 1,000 to 1. In the period 1988–1990, the period of high inflation continued, which led to the córdoba nuevo being replaced by the córdoba oro, with parity against the US dollar. In 1992, the "córdoba" was established and persists to this day.[5][6]

Coins

First córdoba

File:Córdobas anteriores a la Revolución Sandinista.JPG
Various coins before the FSLN took power in 1979
File:Córdobas del perido de la Revolución Sandinista.JPG
Various coins after the FSLN took power in 1979

In 1912, coins were introduced in denominations of ​12, 1, 5, 10, 25, and 50 centavos and 1 córdoba. The ​12 and 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 ​12 centavo production ceased in 1937.

File:Un córdoba de 1984.jpg
1 córdoba coin from the Nicaraguan Revolution depicting Augusto César Sandino


Second córdoba

Third córdoba (córdoba oro)

1994 Series
Value(₡) Years Composition Shape Diameter Weight Obverse Reverse Image
5 Centavos[7] 1994 Chromium plated Steel Circular 15 mm 2.1 g National coat of arms Dove over map of Nicaragua with date and value below
10 Centavos[8] 17 mm 2.68 g
25 Centavos[9] 19 mm 3.86 g
50 Centavos[10] 22 mm 4.6 g
1997 Series
Value(₡) Years Composition Shape Diameter Weight Obverse Reverse Image
50 Centavos[10] 1997 Nickel clad Steel Circular 22 mm 5 g National coat of arms Face value and date
1 Córdoba[11] 1997, 2000 25 mm 6.25 g
5 Córdobas[12] 28 mm 7.8 g
2002 Series
Value(₡) Years Composition Shape Diameter Weight Obverse Reverse Image
5 Centavos[7] 2002 Copper plated Steel Circular 18.5 mm 3 g National coat of arms Face value and date
10 Centavos[8] Brass plated Steel 20.5 mm 4 g
25 Centavos[9] 2002, 2003, 2007 23.25 mm 5.1 g
1 Córdoba[11] 2002, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 Nickel clad Steel 25 mm 6.25 g File:Nicaraguan córdoba.png
2007 Series
Value(₡) Years Composition Shape Diameter Weight Obverse Reverse Image
10 Centavos[8] 2007, 2012, 2015 Aluminium Circular 20.5 mm 1.4 g National coat of arms Face value and date
25 Centavos[9] 2007, 2014 Brass plated Steel 23.25 mm 5.1 g
50 Centavos[10] Nickel clad Steel 22 mm 5 g
5 Córdobas[12] 28 mm 7.8 g
10 Córdobas[13] 2007 Brass plated Steel 26.5 mm 8.5 g Statue of Andrés Castro with face value, date, and latent image

In 2012, the Central Bank issued a 5 Córdobas coin to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Córdoba.[12]

2022 Series
Value(₡) Years Composition Shape Diameter Weight Obverse Reverse Image
25 Centavos[14] 2022 Aluminium Circular N/a N/a National coat of arms Face value and date
50 Centavos[14] Stainless Steel N/a N/a
1 Córdoba[15] N/a 6 g
5 Córdobas[14] N/a N/a

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 half- and 1-peso moneda corriente 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-córdoba notes were introduced, followed by 1,000-córdoba notes in 1953.

A 1,000-córdoba banknote, which was reprinted with a value of 200,000 córdobas during the inflationary period of the late 1980s.

In 1962, the Central Bank of Nicaragua took over paper money issuance by a bank resolution of 8 February 1962 and executive decree No. 71 of 26 April 1962.[16] The 1-córdoba notes were replaced by coins in 1972. After 5-córdoba coins were introduced in 1981, 2 and 5-córdoba notes were withdrawn. In 1987, 5000-córdoba 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 1,000), and 1,000,000 (on 1,000) córdobas notes as inflation drastically reduced the córdoba's value.

Second córdoba

Third córdoba (córdoba oro)

File:Франсиско Эрнандеса де Кордоба.jpg
1991 córdobas with conquistador Hernández de Córdoba

In 1991, notes were introduced for 1, 5, 10, and 25 centavos, ​12, 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.

2002 series (Resolution of 10 April 2002)
Image Value Main Color Description Date of printing
Obverse Reverse
C$10 Green Miguel Larreynaga Islets of Granada 2002
170px C$20 Orange José Santos Zelaya Atlantic Beach
C$50 Purple Pedro Joaquín Chamorro Fortress of El Castillo de la Inmaculada Concepción
170px C$100 Blue Rubén Darío Rubén Darío National Theatre
170px 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 circulate alongside their paper counterparts.[17] 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.[18] A commemorative design of the 50 córdobas was introduced on September 15, 2010, to commemorate the Banco Central de Nicaragua's 50th anniversary of its establishment.[19] In 2012, the Banco Central de Nicaragua (Central Bank of Nicaragua) began issuing a new series of córdoba banknotes with revised security features, beginning with the 10, 20, and 200 córdoba polymer banknotes, which is similar to their first issue, but the notable change is the embossed "10", "20", and "200" on the see-through window now being of an opaque white.[20] [21][22]

The 100 córdoba banknote was also revised. The notable differences from the first issue is that the note was issued on the 100th anniversary of the córdoba currency. Also notable is the wider security thread, a revised registration device, a repositioned serial number, subtle underprint design changes and the commemorative text "1912-2012 Centenario del Córdoba" in pearlescent ink at the left front of the note.[23] The 500 córdoba banknote was also revised. The most notable change for the note is the bank logo patch, now a holographic patch instead of an optically variable device and a wider security thread.[24]

2009 series (Resolution of 12 September 2007) [1]
Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description Date of
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse Watermark printing issue
92px 92px 10 córdobas1 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
95px 95px 20 córdobas2 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
99px 99px 50 córdobas 141 × 67 mm   Violet National ceramic of Nicaragua Canyon of Somoto National ceramic of Nicaragua, "50" watermark December 3, 2009
50px 50px 67 x 141 mm First building of the Central Bank "50" watermark 2010 September 16, 2010
102px 102px 100 córdobas 146 × 67 mm   Blue Monument to Rubén Darío León Cathedral Emblem of the Central Bank of Nicaragua; watermark of a lion. 2009 June 1, 2009
106px 106px 200 córdobas 151 × 67 mm   Brown El Güegüense Ometepe Island, the national bird, the Momotus momota. "200", The Güegüense with watermark and cape.
109px 109px 500 córdobas 156 × 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 pixel per millimetre (18 pixel per inch). For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

2015 and 2017 series

On 26 October 2015, the Banco Central de Nicaragua introduced a new family of banknotes in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Córdobas. The six lower denominations are printed in polymer, while the 500 Córdobas note is printed on cotton paper substrate.[25] On 1 December 2016, the Banco Central de Nicaragua introduced a 1,000 Córdobas banknote to ease high-value transactions. A commemorative design was issued on 1 December 2016 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of poet Rubén Darío and a regular issue was issued on 2 January 2017.[26][27][28]

In July 2019, the 500 and 1000 Córdoba banknotes were reissued in polymer, to circulate in parallel with existing issues.[29]

2015–2017 series (resolution of 26 March 2014)
Image Value Dimensions Main Color Description Material Date of issue
Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse
File:5 Cordobas front.jpg
C$5 126 x 67 mm Grey Building of the nicaraguan central bank Las Piedrecitas overpass Polymer October 2015
C$10 131 x 67 mm Green Puerto Salvador Allende, Managua La Vaquita (Patron Saint festivities of Managua)
C$20 136 x 67 mm Orange Moravian church, Laguna de Perlas Mayo Ya Festival
C$50 141 x 67 mm Violet Artisan Market, Masaya Folkloristic ballet
C$100 146 x 67 mm Blue Cathedral of Granada Horse cart
C$200 151 x 67 mm Brown Rubén Darío National Theater, Managua El Güegüense comedy ballet
C$500 156 x 67 mm Red Cathedral of León Momotombo Volcano Paper
Polymer July 2019
C$1,000 161 x 67 mm Dark green Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío Poem by Darío Paper December 2016[30]
Hacienda San Jacinto, Tipitapa Castle of the Immaculate Conception, Río San Juan January 2017
156 x 67 mm Polymer July 2019

Exchange rate

In 1991, the Central Bank of Nicaragua established a crawling peg scheme in accordance with FMI exchange rate policies with a 12% annual rate of devaluation; "as of 2014", this scheme continued to devalue the córdoba against the United States dollar by 5% per annum and decrease further at 3% per annum, subsequently.[31] Since January 2024 the Nicaraguan Central Bank has maintained a fixed exchange rate of 36.6243 córdobas to one US dollar. [32]

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

Historical exchange rates

  • US$1 =
    • 36.6243 (Banco Central de Nicaragua) (April 6, 2025)
    • 36.773 (XE) (November 2024)
    • 32.949 (XE) (July 2019)
    • 25.005 córdobas (August 2013)(XE)
    • 20.865 (Yahoo) or 20.8623 (XE) or 20.5250 (Oanda) (January 10, 2010)
    • 20.425 (Yahoo) or 20.4263 (XE) or 20.222 (Oanda) or 20.4268 (Central Bank of Nicaragua) córdobas (August 4, 2009)
    • 18.032 (Yahoo) or 19.874 (XE) or 20.113 (Oanda) córdobas (January 3, 2009)
    • 18.032 córdobas (June 19, 2008)
    • 18.032 córdobas (April 24, 2007)
    • 17.066 córdobas (June 5, 2006)
    • 17.1754 córdobas (January 13, 2006)
    • 16.300 córdobas (April 2005)
    • 15.5515 córdobas (December 2003)
  • 1 =
    • 38.899 (XE) (November 2024)
    • 37.084 (XE) (July 2019)
    • 36.9441 (XE) (October 23, 2018)
    • 30.0562 (Yahoo) or 30.0772 (XE) or 29.5661 (Oanda) (January 10, 2010)
    • 29.3674 (Yahoo) or 29.3721 (XE) or 28.93586 (Oanda) córdobas (August 4, 2009)
    • 25.1033 (Yahoo) or 27.532 (XE) or 28.008 (Oanda) córdobas (January 3, 2009)
    • 29.8987 córdobas (June 19, 2008)
    • 24.583 córdobas (April 24, 2007)
    • 22.1168 córdobas (June 5, 2006)
    • 19.910 córdobas (January 2006)
    • 21.361 córdobas (April 2005)
    • 19.6462 córdobas (December 2003)

See also

  • Economy of Nicaragua

References

  1. Nicaragua banknotes 1 Cordoba bank note 1941 Indian girl
  2. Reseña Histórica de la Moneda Nacional
  3. Nicaragua registró una inflación del 5,6 % en 2023
  4. "Currencies Of The World" (in en-US). 2021-05-14. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/currencies-of-the-world.html. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Reseña histórica de la moneda nacional" (in es). https://www.bcn.gob.ni/billetes-y-monedas/rese%C3%B1a-hist%C3%B3rica-de-la-moneda-nacional. 
  6. "Del cacao al córdoba. Así fue evolución de la moneda en Nicaragua" (in es). https://nicaraguainvestiga.com/memoria/62377-la-evolucion-del-cordoba-en-nicaragua/. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 "Moneda de 5 Centavos de Córdoba". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/moneda-de-5-centavos-de-c%C3%B3rdoba. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Moneda de 10 Centavos de Córdoba". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/moneda-de-10-centavos-de-c%C3%B3rdoba. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Moneda de 25 Centavos de Córdoba". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/moneda-de-25-centavos-de-c%C3%B3rdoba. 
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 "Moneda de 50 Centavos de Córdoba". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/moneda-de-50-centavos-de-c%C3%B3rdoba. 
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Moneda de 1 Córdoba". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/moneda-de-1-c%C3%B3rdoba. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Moneda de 5 Córdobas". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/moneda-de-5-c%C3%B3rdobas. 
  13. "Moneda de 10 Córdobas". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/moneda-de-10-c%C3%B3rdobas. 
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 "BCN informa sobre nueva emisión de monedas de 5 córdobas, 50 centavos y 25 centavos de córdoba". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/divulgacion-prensa/bcn-informa-sobre-nueva-emisi%C3%B3n-de-monedas-de-5-c%C3%B3rdobas-50-centavos-y-25. 
  15. "BCN informa sobre nueva emisión de monedas de 1 córdoba". 2023-02-24. https://www.bcn.gob.ni/divulgacion-prensa/bcn-informa-sobre-nueva-emisi%C3%B3n-de-monedas-de-1-c%C3%B3rdoba. 
  16. Linzmayer, Owen (2012). "Nicaragua". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: www.BanknoteNews.com. http://www.banknotebook.com. 
  17. "Currency". November 14, 2010. http://consuladodenicaragua.com/nicaragua/a-h/currency/. 
  18. Articles on the banknote issues of Nicaragua BanknoteNews.com. Retrieved 2010-01-18.
  19. "Billete de C$ 50 por medio siglo del Banco Central - LA PRENSA — EL Diario de los Nicaragüenses". http://www.laprensa.com.ni/2010/09/16/economia/38002. 
  20. Nicaragua new 10-córdoba note confirmed BanknoteNews.com. July 19, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-10-28.
  21. Nicaragua new 20-córdoba note confirmed BanknoteNews.com. August 21, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-10-28.
  22. Nicaragua new 200-córdoba note confirmed BanknoteNews.com. October 4, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-10-28.
  23. Nicaragua new 100-córdoba commemorative note confirmed BanknoteNews.com. September 8, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-10-28.
  24. Nicaragua new 500-córdoba note confirmed BanknoteNews.com. October 12, 2012. Retrieved on 2012-10-28
  25. Nicaragua new note family (B506 - B511) confirmed BanknoteNews.com. October 28, 2015. Retrieved on 2015-10-31.
  26. Nicaragua new 1,000-córdoba note (B513) to be introduced 02.01.2017 BanknoteNews.com. November 22, 2016. Retrieved on 2016-11-22.
  27. Nicaragua new 1,000-córdoba commemorative note (B512) to be introduced 01.12.2016 BanknoteNews.com. November 22, 2016. Retrieved on 2016-11-22.
  28. Nicaragua new 1,000-córdoba commemorative note (B512) confirmed introduced 01.12.2016 BanknoteNews.com. December 2, 2016. Retrieved on 2016-12-06.
  29. "Banco Central de Nicaragua". https://www.bcn.gob.ni/divulgacion_prensa/notas/2019/noticia.php?nota=1273. 
  30. Lanzamiento de billete de 1000 córdobas, Palabras del Presidente del BCN, Ovidio Reyes R., 22 de Noviembre 2016
  31. Rogers, Tim (May 13, 2014). "Nicaragua seeks to de-dollarize economy". The Nicaragua Dispatch. http://nicaraguadispatch.com/2014/05/nicaragua-seeks-to-de-dollarize-economy/. 
  32. "NEW SLIDING EXCHANGE RATE OF THE NICARAGUAN CÓRDOBA IN 2024". https://ariaslaw.com/detailNew/1059/3/new-sliding-exchange-rate-of-the-nicaraguan-cordoba-in-2024. 

Sources

Template:Nicaraguan currency and coinage Template:Nicaragua topics

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