Country Currency Guides

Japan

Japanese Yen (JPY)

The Japanese Yen (JPY) has been Japan's official currency since 1871 and is the third-most-traded currency globally. Issued by the Bank of Japan, banknotes come in ¥1,000, ¥2,000 (rare), ¥5,000, and ¥10,000 denominations, with coins in ¥1, ¥5, ¥10, ¥50, ¥100, and ¥500.

United Kingdom

British Pound Sterling (GBP)

The British Pound Sterling (GBP, symbol £) is one of the oldest currencies in continuous use — over 1,200 years — and the fourth-most-traded currency globally. Issued by the Bank of England, banknotes come in £5, £10, £20, and £50 denominations, with coins in 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1, and £2.

the Eurozone

Euro (EUR)

The Euro (EUR, symbol €) is the official currency of 20 European Union member states — the Eurozone — collectively serving over 340 million people. Introduced as an accounting currency in 1999 and physical cash in 2002, it is managed by the European Central Bank from Frankfurt.

Australia

Australian Dollar (AUD)

The Australian Dollar (AUD, often written A$ to distinguish from USD) replaced the Australian Pound in 1966 at a 2:1 rate. Issued by the Reserve Bank of Australia, it is one of the most-traded "commodity currencies" globally — heavily correlated with iron ore, coal, and copper prices given Australia's export profile.

Switzerland

Swiss Franc (CHF)

The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the official currency of Switzerland and Liechtenstein and one of the world's most stable currencies — widely regarded as a "safe haven" during global financial stress. Issued by the Swiss National Bank, banknotes come in CHF 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 1000 denominations (the 1000-franc note is the highest-value banknote in regular circulation among major currencies).

Mexico

Mexican Peso (MXN)

The Mexican Peso (MXN, written as $ within Mexico — distinguished from USD by context) is Latin America's most-traded currency and the world's most-traded emerging-market currency. Issued by the Bank of Mexico (Banco de México), banknotes come in $20, $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1000 pesos; coins in 5, 10, 20, 50 centavos, $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20 pesos.

Canada

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

The Canadian Dollar (CAD, often written C$ or CAD$ to distinguish from USD) is one of the world's major "commodity currencies" — heavily correlated with oil prices given Canada is the world's fourth-largest crude oil producer. Issued by the Bank of Canada, banknotes are polymer in C$5, C$10, C$20, C$50, and C$100 denominations; coins are 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), C$1 (loonie), and C$2 (toonie).

Hong Kong

Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)

The Hong Kong Dollar (HKD, often written HK$) has been pegged to the US Dollar at HK$7.75–7.85 per US$1 since 1983 under the Linked Exchange Rate System — making it one of the most stable currencies in the world. Uniquely, Hong Kong banknotes are issued by three private commercial banks (HSBC, Standard Chartered, and Bank of China Hong Kong) rather than a central bank, all under the supervision of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority.

the United States

US Dollar (USD)

The United States Dollar (USD, symbol $) is the world's primary reserve currency, involved in roughly 88% of all daily forex transactions globally. Issued by the Federal Reserve System, banknotes come in $1, $2 (rare), $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations — all the same size and color, unlike most currencies.

China

Chinese Yuan Renminbi (CNY)

The Chinese Yuan (CNY, also called Renminbi or RMB; symbol ¥) is the official currency of mainland China. Issued by the People's Bank of China, the yuan is a managed float — the PBOC sets a daily reference rate ("the fix") and allows trading within a ±2% band.

South Korea

South Korean Won (KRW)

The South Korean Won (KRW, symbol ₩) is the official currency of South Korea. Issued by the Bank of Korea, banknotes come in ₩1,000, ₩5,000, ₩10,000, and ₩50,000 denominations; coins in ₩10, ₩50, ₩100, and ₩500.

Singapore

Singapore Dollar (SGD)

The Singapore Dollar (SGD, written S$ to distinguish from USD) has been Singapore's official currency since 1967. Issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), banknotes come in S$2, S$5, S$10, S$50, S$100, S$1,000, and S$10,000 denominations (the S$10,000 is largely ceremonial); coins in 5¢, 10¢, 20¢, 50¢, and S$1.

New Zealand

New Zealand Dollar (NZD)

The New Zealand Dollar (NZD, written NZ$ to distinguish from USD/AUD/CAD) replaced the New Zealand Pound in 1967. Issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, banknotes are polymer in NZ$5, NZ$10, NZ$20, NZ$50, and NZ$100 denominations.

Sweden

Swedish Krona (SEK)

The Swedish Krona (SEK, plural kronor; symbol kr) is the official currency of Sweden. Issued by Sveriges Riksbank (the world's oldest central bank, founded 1668), banknotes come in 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 kronor denominations; coins in 1, 2, 5, and 10 kronor.

Norway

Norwegian Krone (NOK)

The Norwegian Krone (NOK, plural kroner; symbol kr) is the official currency of Norway and is heavily linked to oil and natural gas prices — Norway is Western Europe's largest oil and gas producer. Issued by Norges Bank, banknotes come in 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 kroner denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, and 20 kroner.

India

Indian Rupee (INR)

The Indian Rupee (INR, symbol ₹) is the official currency of India and one of the most-traded emerging-market currencies globally. Issued by the Reserve Bank of India, banknotes come in ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹200, ₹500, and ₹2,000 (being phased out since 2023); coins in ₹1, ₹2, ₹5, ₹10, and ₹20.

Thailand

Thai Baht (THB)

The Thai Baht (THB, symbol ฿) is the official currency of Thailand. Issued by the Bank of Thailand, banknotes come in ฿20, ฿50, ฿100, ฿500, and ฿1,000 denominations; coins in 25 satang, 50 satang, ฿1, ฿2, ฿5, and ฿10.

Brazil

Brazilian Real (BRL)

The Brazilian Real (BRL, symbol R$) is the official currency of Brazil, replacing several hyperinflation-era currencies (most recently the Cruzeiro Real in 1994) as part of the successful Plano Real stabilization plan. Issued by the Central Bank of Brazil (Banco Central do Brasil), banknotes come in R$2, R$5, R$10, R$20, R$50, R$100, and R$200 denominations; coins in 5, 10, 25, 50 centavos and R$1.

Vietnam

Vietnamese Dong (VND)

The Vietnamese Dong (VND, symbol ₫) is the official currency of Vietnam. Issued by the State Bank of Vietnam, banknotes come in ₫500, ₫1,000, ₫2,000, ₫5,000, ₫10,000, ₫20,000, ₫50,000, ₫100,000, ₫200,000, and ₫500,000 denominations — among the largest face values of any major currency (₫500,000 ≈ $20 USD).

Indonesia

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, symbol Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia — the world's fourth-most-populous country and Southeast Asia's largest economy. Issued by Bank Indonesia, banknotes come in Rp1,000, Rp2,000, Rp5,000, Rp10,000, Rp20,000, Rp50,000, and Rp100,000 denominations; coins in Rp25, Rp50, Rp100, Rp200, Rp500, and Rp1,000.

the Philippines

Philippine Peso (PHP)

The Philippine Peso (PHP, symbol ₱) is the official currency of the Philippines. Issued by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), banknotes come in ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500, and ₱1,000 denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, 25 sentimo, ₱1, ₱5, ₱10, and ₱20.

Turkey

Turkish Lira (TRY)

The Turkish Lira (TRY, symbol ₺) is the official currency of Turkey. Issued by the Türkiye Cumhuriyet Merkez Bankası (TCMB), banknotes come in ₺5, ₺10, ₺20, ₺50, ₺100, and ₺200 denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 kuruş, ₺1.

Egypt

Egyptian Pound (EGP)

The Egyptian Pound (EGP, symbol E£ or LE) is the official currency of Egypt. Issued by the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE), banknotes come in 25 piastres (rare), 50 piastres (rare), E£1, E£5, E£10, E£20, E£50, E£100, and E£200 denominations; coins in 25 and 50 piastres, E£1.

the United Arab Emirates

UAE Dirham (AED)

The UAE Dirham (AED, also written د.إ or Dhs) has been pegged to the US Dollar at 3.6725 AED per USD since 1997 — one of the most stable currency arrangements in the world. Issued by the Central Bank of the UAE, banknotes come in AED 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 denominations; coins in 25, 50 fils, AED 1.

Argentina

Argentine Peso (ARS)

The Argentine Peso (ARS, symbol $ within Argentina — distinguished from USD by context) has experienced one of the most dramatic currency collapses in modern history. USD/ARS went from 17 (2017) to over 1,400 (2025) — peso lost 99% of value in 8 years.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Riyal (SAR)

The Saudi Riyal (SAR, symbol ﷼ or SR) has been pegged to the US Dollar at 3.75 SAR per USD since 1986 — one of the longest-running currency pegs in the world. Issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), banknotes come in SR 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 halalas, SR 1 and SR 2.

South Africa

South African Rand (ZAR)

The South African Rand (ZAR, symbol R) is the official currency of South Africa, Lesotho (alongside loti), Eswatini (alongside lilangeni), and Namibia (alongside Namibian dollar). Issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), banknotes come in R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200 denominations featuring Nelson Mandela on every note (since 2012); coins in 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2, R5.

Israel

Israeli New Shekel (ILS)

The Israeli New Shekel (ILS, symbol ₪, often abbreviated NIS) is the official currency of Israel and the de facto currency of the Palestinian Territories. Issued by the Bank of Israel, banknotes come in ₪20, ₪50, ₪100, and ₪200 denominations; coins in 10 agorot, 50 agorot (half-shekel), ₪1, ₪2, ₪5, and ₪10.

Pakistan

Pakistani Rupee (PKR)

The Pakistani Rupee (PKR, symbol ₨ or Rs) is the official currency of Pakistan. Issued by the State Bank of Pakistan, banknotes come in Rs 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1,000, and 5,000 denominations; coins in Rs 1, 2, 5, and 10.

Bangladesh

Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)

The Bangladeshi Taka (BDT, symbol ৳) is the official currency of Bangladesh. Issued by Bangladesh Bank, banknotes come in ৳2, ৳5, ৳10, ৳20, ৳50, ৳100, ৳200, ৳500, and ৳1,000 denominations; coins in 1, 2, and 5 taka (paisa subdivisions are largely obsolete).

Kenya

Kenyan Shilling (KES)

The Kenyan Shilling (KES, symbol KSh) is the official currency of Kenya. Issued by the Central Bank of Kenya, banknotes come in KSh 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000 denominations; coins in KSh 1, 5, 10, 20, and 40.

Indonesia

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR, symbol Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia, the world's fourth-most populous country and Southeast Asia's largest economy. Issued by Bank Indonesia, banknotes come in Rp 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 denominations; coins in Rp 100, 200, 500, and 1,000.

the Philippines

Philippine Peso (PHP)

The Philippine Peso (PHP, symbol ₱) is the official currency of the Philippines. Issued by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), banknotes come in ₱20, ₱50, ₱100, ₱200, ₱500, and ₱1,000 denominations; coins in ₱1, ₱5, ₱10, and ₱20.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Riyal (SAR)

The Saudi Riyal (SAR, symbol ر.س or SR) has been pegged to the US Dollar at 3.75 SAR per USD since 1986 — one of the longest-standing currency pegs in the world. Issued by the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), banknotes come in SAR 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 halalas and SAR 1, 2.

Nigeria

Nigerian Naira (NGN)

The Nigerian Naira (NGN, symbol ₦) is the official currency of Nigeria — Africa's largest economy by GDP and most populous country (220+ million). Issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), banknotes come in ₦5, ₦10, ₦20, ₦50, ₦100, ₦200, ₦500, and ₦1,000 denominations; coins in 50 kobo, ₦1, and ₦2 (largely obsolete).

South Africa

South African Rand (ZAR)

The South African Rand (ZAR, symbol R) is the official currency of South Africa and accepted in Lesotho, Eswatini, and Namibia as part of the Common Monetary Area. Issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB), banknotes come in R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200 denominations (featuring the "Big Five" — lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, buffalo); coins in 10, 20, 50 cents and R1, R2, R5.

Colombia

Colombian Peso (COP)

The Colombian Peso (COP, symbol $ within Colombia — distinguished from USD by context) is the official currency of Colombia. Issued by the Banco de la República (BanRep), banknotes come in COP$1,000, $2,000, $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $50,000, and $100,000 denominations; coins in $50, $100, $200, $500, and $1,000.

Qatar

Qatari Riyal (QAR)

The Qatari Riyal (QAR, symbol ر.ق or QR) has been pegged to the US Dollar at 3.64 QAR per USD since 2001 — one of the world's most stable currency arrangements. Issued by the Qatar Central Bank (QCB), banknotes come in QAR 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, and 500 denominations; coins in 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 dirhams (1 riyal = 100 dirhams).

Morocco

Moroccan Dirham (MAD)

The Moroccan Dirham (MAD, symbol د.م. or DH) is the official currency of Morocco.