Malagasy ariary


The ariary is the currency of Madagascar. It is subdivided into 5 iraimbilanja and is one of only two non-decimal currencies currently circulating. The names ariary and iraimbilanja derive from the pre-colonial currency, with ariary being the name for a silver dollar. Iraimbilanja means literally "one iron weight" and was the name of an old coin worth of an ariary.

History

The ariary was introduced in 1961. It was equal to 5 Malagasy francs. Coins and banknotes were issued denominated in both francs and ariary, with the sub-unit of the ariary, the iraimbilanja, worth of an ariary and therefore equal to the franc. The ariary replaced the franc as the official currency of Madagascar on January 1, 2005.
Coins and banknotes were denominated in both the official francs and the semi-official ariary and iraimbilanja since 1961. On early issues, the franc denomination was the most prominent. However, from 1978, higher value coins were issued denominated only in ariary. In 1993, new 500 ariary-2500 franc note and 5000 ariary-25,000 franc were issued with ariary slightly more prominent. On banknotes issued since July 31, 2003, the ariary denomination is displayed prominently and the franc denomination in small print. Lower denomination coins are also now issued denominated in ariary but with the main design unchanged.

Coins

In 1965, 1 franc and 2 francs coins were issued, followed by 5 francs in 1966 and 10 and 20 francs in 1970. The term "venty sy kirobo" derives from names used in the 19th century for and of a silver dollar or 5 francs piece, since += of 5 francs is approximately 2 francs.
In 1978, 10 and 20 ariary coins were issued which did not show the denomination in francs. These were followed in 1992 by 5 and 50 ariary coins as well as smaller 10 and 20 ariary. In 2003–2004, 1 and 2 ariary coins not bearing the franc denomination were also introduced.
Coins in circulation are listed below. Bold denotes the most prominent denomination, while italic denotes an equivalence that is not shown on the coin.
DenominationNameValue in MGF
ariaryIraimbilanja1 franc
ariaryVenty sy Kirobo2 francs
1 ariaryAriary5 francs
2 ariaryAriary Roa10 francs
4 ariaryAriary Efatra20 francs
5 ariaryAriary Dimy25 francs
10 ariaryAriary Folo50 francs
20 ariaryAriary Roapolo100 francs
50 ariaryAriary Dimampolo250 francs

Banknotes

In 1961, the Institut d’Émission Malgache introduced banknotes in denominations of 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 5000 francs. These notes were overprints on earlier notes of the Bank of Madagascar and Comoros, with the denomination in ariary included in the overprint. Regular banknotes in the same denominations followed between 1963 and 1969. The denomination in ariary was written only in words, not numerals.
On 12 June 1973, the Banky Foiben’ny Repoblika Malagasy was created by Ordinance No. 73-025, taking over the functions of the Institut d’Émission Malgache, including the issuance of banknotes. In 1974 new notes were issued in the same denominations as had been used earlier.
In December 1975, a draft constitution was overwhelmingly approved in a referendum, and the Second Malagasy Republic, to be called the Repoblica Demokratika Malagasy, was proclaimed. As a result of the change in the country’s name, the former Banky Foiben’ny Repoblika Malagasy was renamed Banky Foiben’i Madagasikara. resulting in a new series of notes which included 10,000 francs notes but did not include 50 or 100 francs.
In 1993, notes for 500 ariary and 5000 ariary were introduced which bore the ariary denominations in numerals as well as the franc denominations in smaller numerals. However, in 1998, these notes were replaced by new issues which only gave the franc denominations in numerals.
In 2003–2004, new notes were introduced in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 ariary. These notes also bear the franc denominations on notes up to 1000 ariary in very small numerals.
In 2017, the Bank Foiben’i Madagasikara introduced a new family of banknotes. The new series of notes, like its previous series, remains "Madagascar and its Riches", highlighting its economic activities, biodiversity, culture and tourist sites. Part of this series includes a new denomination, 20,000 ariary. The first four denominations in this series, 2,000-, 5,000-, 10,000 and 20,000 ariary were issued on July 17, 2017. The four other denominations, 100-, 200-, 500 and 1,000 ariary, were issued on September 17, 2017.
Banknotes currently in circulation are listed below.
DenominationYear of IssueDescription
500 francs 1994girl; zebus
1000 francs 1994boy + ships; woman, fishermen
2500 francs 1998old woman; weaving
5000 francs 1995young boy; lemurs and birds
100 ariary 2004Ravinala & Tsingy; Antsiranana Bay
200 ariary 2004village gate; Aloalo
500 ariary 2004Artisan; zebus
1000 ariary 2004Endemic animals; Cactus Sisal
2000 ariary 2003baobabs; rice terraces
5000 ariary 2003Dhows; beach
10,000 ariary 2003Le palais d'argent; road building
20,000 ariary 2017