This space offers official information on the design, security features and circulation of cash in Costa Rica, facilitating its recognition and promoting confidence in the national currency.
Banknotes and Coins
- Banknotes
- Coins
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Historical information on banknote production
The history of paper money in Costa Rica began in 1839, when the Head of State, Braulio Carrillo, authorized the issuance of 30,000 pesos, in 5 and 10 peso vouchers, to facilitate payment to public employees. This marked the beginning of the first stage in the history of currency in the country, which arose from the need for a medium of exchange or payment, given the scarcity of metallic currency at that time.
In 1858, the first bank in Costa Rica was founded, called the National Bank of Costa Rica, which issued banknotes of 1, 2, 10 and 20 pesos, of series A and B. With this institution, a second stage in the issuance of paper money began, in which banking entities began to need the existence of coins.
The monetary reform of 1896 established the colón as the currency, and the Banking Law of 1900 allowed any bank with a capital of one million colones to have the ability to issue banknotes.
In 1914 the International Bank was created as the State's issuing bank; in 1921 it was designated as the sole issuer, and the power to issue banknotes was eliminated for the other private banks, and in 1936 it was reformed and its name was changed to the National Bank of Costa Rica, creating the Issuing Department.
In 1950 the Central Bank of Costa Rica was founded, as the only body authorized to issue currency, and in 1951 it began its own issues using as a basis the formulas of the National Bank, to which the legend "Central Bank of Costa Rica" "Provisional Series" was placed.
Historical information about coins
The history of paper money in Costa Rica began in 1839, when the Head of State, Braulio Carrillo, authorized the issuance of 30,000 pesos, in 5 and 10 peso vouchers, to facilitate payment to public employees. This marked the beginning of the first stage in the history of currency in the country, which arose from the need for a medium of exchange or payment, given the scarcity of metallic currency at that time.
In 1858, the first bank in Costa Rica was founded, called the National Bank of Costa Rica, which issued banknotes of 1, 2, 10 and 20 pesos, of series A and B. With this institution, a second stage in the issuance of paper money began, in which banking entities began to need the existence of coins.
The monetary reform of 1896 established the colón as the currency, and the Banking Law of 1900 allowed any bank with a capital of one million colones to have the ability to issue banknotes.
In 1914 the International Bank was created as the State's issuing bank; in 1921 it was designated as the sole issuer, and the power to issue banknotes was eliminated for the other private banks, and in 1936 it was reformed and its name was changed to the National Bank of Costa Rica, creating the Issuing Department.
In 1950 the Central Bank of Costa Rica was founded, as the only body authorized to issue currency, and in 1951 it began its own issues using as a basis the formulas of the National Bank, to which the legend "Central Bank of Costa Rica" "Provisional Series" was placed.