The
pataca is the currency of
MacauMacau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
. It is subdivided into 100
avos (Cantonese: 仙;
sin), with 10 avos called
ho (毫) in Cantonese. The abbreviation
MOP$ is commonly used.
Macau has a
currency board systemA currency board is a monetary authority which is required to maintain a fixed exchange rate with a foreign currency. This policy objective requires the conventional objectives of a central bank to be subordinated to the exchange rate target....
under which the
legal tenderLegal tender is a medium of payment allowed by law or recognized by a legal system to be valid for meeting a financial obligation. Paper currency is a common form of legal tender in many countries....
, Macanese pataca, is 100 percent backed by
foreign exchange reservesForeign-exchange reserves in a strict sense are 'only' the foreign currency deposits and bonds held by central banks and monetary authorities. However, the term in popular usage commonly includes foreign exchange and gold, Special Drawing Rights and International Monetary Fund reserve positions...
, in this case currently the
Hong Kong dollarThe Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
. Moreover, the currency board,
Monetary Authority of MacaoThe Monetary Authority of Macao is a regulatory institution established on December 20, 1999, upon the transfer of the sovereignty of Macau from Portugal to the People's Republic of China as the Macau Special Administrative Region .- History :...
(AMCM), has a statutory obligation to issue and redeem pataca on demand against the Hong Kong dollar at a fixed exchange rate and without limit.
History
The pataca was introduced in
MacauMacau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
and
Portuguese TimorPortuguese Timor was the name of East Timor when it was under Portuguese control. During this period, Portugal shared the island of Timor with the Netherlands East Indies, and later with Indonesia....
in the year 1894, but only as a unit of account. The unit initially corresponded to the Mexican dollar, and it replaced the
Portuguese realThe real was the unit of currency of Portugal from around 1430 until 1911. It replaced the dinheiro at the rate of 1 real = 840 dinheiros and was itself replaced by the escudo at a rate of 1 escudo = 1000 réis...
at a rate of 1 pataca = 450 réais. The name
pataca derives from the fact that the Portuguese always referred to the Mexican dollar as the 'Pataca Mexicana'.
At the end of the 19th century, there was no single currency in use in Macau, but the predominant circulating coins were the silver Mexican dollars, the British silver trade dollars of
Hong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and the
Straits SettlementsThe Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
, as well as the silver dollars and fractional coinage of the neighbouring province of
CantonGuangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
. In 1901, it was decided to have a uniquely Macau currency, and for that purpose, the
Banco Nacional UltramarinoBanco Nacional Ultramarino was a Portuguese bank with operations throughout the world, especially in Portugal's former overseas provinces. It ceased existence as an independent legal entity in Portugal following its merger with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the government-owned savings bank, in...
was granted exclusive rights to issue legal tender banknotes that were to be denominated in patacas. On January 27, 1906, pataca notes in denominations of 1, 5, 50 and 100 were introduced and all foreign coinage was outlawed, the idea being to make the pataca paper notes the sole legal tender currency in Macau. However, the Chinese, being so accustomed to using silver for barter, were suspicious of this new paper money, and as such, the paper pataca always circulated at a discount in relation to the silver dollar coins. On the contrary, a similar action at exactly the same time in the
Straits SettlementsThe Straits Settlements were a group of British territories located in Southeast Asia.Originally established in 1826 as part of the territories controlled by the British East India Company, the Straits Settlements came under direct British control as a crown colony on 1 April 1867...
, and for the same purpose, had the different effect of putting the new
Straits dollarThe Straits dollar was the currency of the Straits Settlements from 1904 until 1939. At the same time, it was also used in the Federated Malay States, the Unfederated Malay States, Sarawak, Brunei, and British North Borneo.-History:...
unto the gold exchange standard. Hence both the Macau pataca and the
Straits dollarThe Straits dollar was the currency of the Straits Settlements from 1904 until 1939. At the same time, it was also used in the Federated Malay States, the Unfederated Malay States, Sarawak, Brunei, and British North Borneo.-History:...
were launched at a
sterlingSterling may refer to:* Sterling silver, a grade of silver* Pound sterling, the currency of the United Kingdom- Businesses :* Hotel Sterling, a former hotel in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States* Sterling Airlines...
value of 2 shillings and 4 pence, but where the
Straits dollarThe Straits dollar was the currency of the Straits Settlements from 1904 until 1939. At the same time, it was also used in the Federated Malay States, the Unfederated Malay States, Sarawak, Brunei, and British North Borneo.-History:...
remained at that value until the 1960s, the Macau pataca fluctuated with the value of silver, just like the Hong Kong unit.
In 1935, when Hong Kong and China abandoned the silver standard, the Hong Kong unit was pegged to
sterlingSterling may refer to:* Sterling silver, a grade of silver* Pound sterling, the currency of the United Kingdom- Businesses :* Hotel Sterling, a former hotel in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States* Sterling Airlines...
at a rate of 1 shilling and 3 pence, while the Macau pataca was pegged to the Portuguese escudo at a rate of 5.5 escudos. This meant that the Macau pataca was worth only 1 shilling
sterlingSterling may refer to:* Sterling silver, a grade of silver* Pound sterling, the currency of the United Kingdom- Businesses :* Hotel Sterling, a former hotel in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States* Sterling Airlines...
and was therefore at a discount of 3 pence
sterlingSterling may refer to:* Sterling silver, a grade of silver* Pound sterling, the currency of the United Kingdom- Businesses :* Hotel Sterling, a former hotel in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, United States* Sterling Airlines...
in relation to the Hong Kong unit.
The first exclusively Macau coinage was not introduced until the year 1952, which happened to be the year after the last pataca fractional coins were minted for
East TimorThe pataca was a monetary unit of account used in Portuguese Timor between 1894 and 1958, except for the period 1942-1945, when the occupying Japanese forces introduced the Netherlands Indies gulden and the roepiah...
. In that year in Macau, denominations below 10 patacas were replaced by coins.
| Pegs for the Macanese pataca |
| Date established | 1 pataca = |
| 1894 |
1 Mexican dollar |
| 1935 |
5.5 Portuguese escudos |
| 1949 |
5 Portuguese escudos |
| 1967 |
4.75 Portuguese escudos |
| 1973 |
5.015 Portuguese escudos |
| | 1 Hong Kong dollar = |
| 1977 |
1.075 patacas |
| 1978 |
1.0025 patacas |
| 1979 |
1.0425 patacas |
| 1983 |
1.03 patacas |
In 1980, the Macau government set up the Issuing Institute of Macau (Instituto Emissor de Macau; abbr. as IEM), which was given the monopoly right to issue pataca notes. The BNU became the IEM's agent bank and continued to issue banknotes. On agreement with the BNU on October 16, 1995, the Macau branch of
Bank of ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
(中國銀行澳門分行) became the second note-issuing bank. The authority to issue patacas was transferred to the Monetary Authority of Macau.
Coins
Coins were not issued for use in Macau until 1952, with the 20 cent coin of
Canton ProvinceGuangdong is a province on the South China Sea coast of the People's Republic of China. The province was previously often written with the alternative English name Kwangtung Province...
circulating. In 1952, bronze 5 and 10 avos, cupro-nickel 50 avos and .720 fineness silver 1 and 5 patacas were introduced. Nickel-brass replaced bronze in 1967, including the last issue of 5 avos. Nickel replaced silver in the 1 pataca in 1968. In 1971, a final (.650 fineness) silver issue of 5 patacas was produced.
Brass 10, 20 and 50 avos and cupro-nickel 1 and 5 patacas were introduced in 1982. The 20 avos and 5 patacas became
dodecagonIn geometry, a dodecagon is any polygon with twelve sides and twelve angles.- Regular dodecagon :It usually refers to a regular dodecagon, having all sides of equal length and all angles equal to 150°...
al in 1993 and 1992, respectively, whilst a bimetallic 10 patacas was introduced in 1997 and a
cupronickelCupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
2 patacas in 1998. Coins are issued by the
Monetary Authority of MacaoThe Monetary Authority of Macao is a regulatory institution established on December 20, 1999, upon the transfer of the sovereignty of Macau from Portugal to the People's Republic of China as the Macau Special Administrative Region .- History :...
.
| Currently Circulating Coins |
| Image | Value | Description | BrassBrass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
| "Macau", "澳門" |
Value , Lion DanceLion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion dance is often mistakenly referred to as dragon dance. An easy way to tell the difference is that a lion is operated by two people, while a dragon needs many people...
Costume Head |
1993 |
|
|
20 avos |
Denomination , Dragon boat A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft traditionally made, in the Pearl River delta region of southern China - Guangdong Province, of teak wood to various designs and sizes. In other parts of China different woods are used to build these traditional watercraft...
|
|
|
50 avos |
Denomination , Dragon danceDragon dance is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture. Like the lion dance it is most often seen in festive celebrations. Many Chinese people often use the term "Descendants of the Dragon" as a sign of ethnic identity, as part of a trend started in the 1970s. Another...
|
|
|
MOP$1 |
CupronickelCupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
|
"Macau", "澳門" |
Value , Guia Lighthouse |
1992 |
|
|
MOP$2 |
Denomination , Templo de A-Má and Penha church |
1998 |
|
|
MOP$5 |
Denomination , Cathedral of Saint PaulThe Ruins of St. Paul's refers to the ruins of a 16th century complex in Macau including of what was originally St. Paul's College and the Cathedral of St. Paul also known as "Mater Dei", a 17th century Portuguese cathedral dedicated to Saint Paul the Apostle. Today, the ruins are one of Macau's...
, Chinese junkA junk is an ancient Chinese sailing vessel design still in use today. Junks were developed during the Han Dynasty and were used as sea-going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They evolved in the later dynasties, and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages...
|
1992 |
|
|
MOP$10 |
Ring: BrassBrass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
Center: CupronickelCupronickel or copper-nickel or "cupernickel" is an alloy of copper that contains nickel and strengthening elements, such as iron and manganese. Cupronickel is highly resistant to corrosion in seawater, because its electrode potential is adjusted to be neutral with regard to seawater...
|
"Macau", "澳門" |
Value , St. Dominic’s Church of Macau |
1997 |
Banknotes
In a similar arrangement to the issue of banknotes in Hong Kong, Macanese banknotes are not issued by a central bank or monetary authority but by two
commercial bankAfter the implementation of the Glass–Steagall Act, the U.S. Congress required that banks engage only in banking activities, whereas investment banks were limited to capital market activities. As the two no longer have to be under separate ownership under U.S...
s, the
Banco Nacional UltramarinoBanco Nacional Ultramarino was a Portuguese bank with operations throughout the world, especially in Portugal's former overseas provinces. It ceased existence as an independent legal entity in Portugal following its merger with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the government-owned savings bank, in...
and the
Bank of ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
. Owing to Macau's Portuguese colonial past, banknotes are printed in Portuguese as well as Chinese, including the name of the Bank of China which is written as both
"Banco da China" and "中國銀行".
Following the initial issues of pataca banknotes in 1906, the new currency was supplemented the following year by 10 and 25 pataca notes, and in February 1920, 5, 10 and 50 avo notes were added. In 1923, the Banco Vui Hang introduced 10 pataca notes which stated that they were backed by Cantonese 20 cent coins. These notes were followed until 1934 by cashier's cheques issued by various banks in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1000 dollars, presumably equivalent to the pataca. The BNU issues were augmented by 1 and 20 avo notes in 1942, and in 1944, 500 pataca notes were introduced. Also in 1944, further cashier's cheques were issued, denominated 1000 yuan and NC$5000. The 25 pataca note was discontinued after 1958.
On August 8, 1988, BNU issued a 1000 pataca banknote, the highest value banknote yet. Because 8 in Chinese (Ba) is similar to "getting rich" (Fa; 發), this unique date, which occurs only once per century, gives the note a special meaning. Another feature is the replacement of the
Coat of arms of PortugalThe coat of arms of Portugal was officially adopted on 30 June 1911, along with the republican flag of Portugal. It is based on the coat of arms used by the Portuguese Kingdom since the Middle Ages.-History and meaning:...
with BNU's logo, shedding a political symbol in the prospect of reunification with China. In 1995, the
Banco da ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
introduced notes in denominations of 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 patacas. Both the BNU and Banco da China introduced 20 pataca notes in 1996.
Current issue
Banknotes are currently issued in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 patacas. The current series of BNU banknotes was issued in 2005, while the Bank of China notes were last issued between 1995 and 2003. The dimensions of the banknotes are "coincidentally" the same as that of
Hong Kong banknotesThe issue of banknotes of the Hong Kong dollar is governed in the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority , the governmental currency board of Hong Kong. Under licence from the HKMA, three commercial banks issue their own banknotes for general circulation in...
worth the corresponding number of dollars. On December 20, 1999, the day Macau was retroceded to China, banknotes of all values (except for 10 patacas) by both banks were reissued with that date. On January 5, 2009, the Monetary Authority of Macau announced a new series of banknotes, dated 2008, released by the Bank of China.
Commemorative issues
In 2008, the Macau branch of the
Bank of ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
issued four million 20 pataca banknotes in commemoration of the
29th Summer Olympic GamesThe 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in
BeijingBeijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
.
In 2012, the Banco National Ultramarino and
Banco da ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
will issue 10 pataca banknotes to commemorate the Year of the Dragon. The Bank of China will also issue a 100 pataca banknote to commemorate its centennial anniversary.
Banco Nacional UltramarinoBanco Nacional Ultramarino was a Portuguese bank with operations throughout the world, especially in Portugal's former overseas provinces. It ceased existence as an independent legal entity in Portugal following its merger with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the government-owned savings bank, in...
1990 Series Banknote |
| Image | |Description | |Watermark |
| Obverse | Reverse | Dimensions | Color | Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
MOP$10 |
138 × 69 mm |
Brown |
Dr. SunSun Yat-sen was a Chinese doctor, revolutionary and political leader. As the foremost pioneer of Nationalist China, Sun is frequently referred to as the "Father of the Nation" , a view agreed upon by both the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China...
Memorial Hall |
A view of Macau in the 90's, Ponte Governador Nobre de CarvalhoGovernor Nobre de Carvalho Bridge , also known as the Macau-Taipa Bridge , is a dual-lane two-way bridge connecting Macau Peninsula near Casino Lisboa and the island of Taipa at the northern slope of Taipa Pequena . It is the first bridge in Macau, to connect the peninsula and Taipa...
|
July 8, 1991 |
Chinese junkA junk is an ancient Chinese sailing vessel design still in use today. Junks were developed during the Han Dynasty and were used as sea-going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They evolved in the later dynasties, and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages...
|
|
|
MOP$10 |
Red, Violet |
January 8, 2001
June 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$20 |
143 × 71.5 mm |
Violet |
Old BNUBanco Nacional Ultramarino was a Portuguese bank with operations throughout the world, especially in Portugal's former overseas provinces. It ceased existence as an independent legal entity in Portugal following its merger with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the government-owned savings bank, in...
headquarters |
September 1, 1996
December 20, 1999
June 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$50 |
148 × 74 mm |
Yellow |
Lion danceLion dance is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture, in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion dance is often mistakenly referred to as dragon dance. An easy way to tell the difference is that a lion is operated by two people, while a dragon needs many people...
|
July 13, 1992
December 20, 1999 |
|
|
MOP$100 |
153 × 76.5 mm |
Blue |
Chinese junkA junk is an ancient Chinese sailing vessel design still in use today. Junks were developed during the Han Dynasty and were used as sea-going vessels as early as the 2nd century AD. They evolved in the later dynasties, and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages...
|
July 13, 1992
December 20, 1999
June 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$500 |
158 × 79 mm |
Green, yellow, orange |
A-Ma Temple A-Ma Temple , situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen....
|
September 3, 1990
December 20, 1999
June 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$1000 |
163 × 81.5 mm |
Red |
Dragon |
July 8, 1991
December 20, 1999
June 8, 2003 |
Bank of ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
1995 Series Banknote |
| Image | |Description | |Watermark |
| Obverse | Reverse | Dimensions | Color | Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
MOP$10 |
138 × 69 mm |
Brown |
Guia Lighthouse and Monte fort |
Bank of ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
, Macau branch |
October 16, 1995 |
LotusNelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus, is a plant in the monogeneric family Nelumbonaceae...
|
|
|
MOP$10 |
Red, orange |
January 8, 2001
February 2, 2002
December 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$20 |
143 × 71.5 mm |
Violet |
A-Ma Temple A-Ma Temple , situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen....
|
September 1, 1996
December 20, 1999
December 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$50 |
148 × 74 mm |
Yellow-grey |
University of MacauThe University of Macau, ;, established in 1981, was the first and currently the largest university in Macau, a former Portuguese colony. It was formerly known as University of East Asia , and was renamed the University of Macau in 1991. The university offers about 100 Doctoral, Master's and...
|
October 16, 1995
November 1, 1997
December 20, 1999 |
|
|
MOP$100 |
153 × 76.5 mm |
Blue |
Outer Harbour Ferry Terminal, Macau |
October 16, 1995
December 20, 1999
February 2, 2002
December 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$500 |
158 × 79 mm |
Green |
Ponte de Amizade The Ponte de Amizade is a four-lane, two-way bridge in Macau that connects Macau Peninsula near the Reservatório and Taipa Island at Pac On....
|
October 16, 1995
December 20, 1999
February 2, 2002
December 8, 2003 |
|
|
MOP$1000 |
163 × 81.5 mm |
Orange |
Sai Van (Praia de Bom Porto) |
October 16, 1995
December 20, 1999
December 8, 2003 |
Banco Nacional UltramarinoBanco Nacional Ultramarino was a Portuguese bank with operations throughout the world, especially in Portugal's former overseas provinces. It ceased existence as an independent legal entity in Portugal following its merger with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the government-owned savings bank, in...
2005 Series Banknote |
| Image | |Description | |Watermark |
| Obverse | Reverse | Dimensions | Color | Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
MOP$10 |
138 × 69 mm |
Yellow/Purple |
Statue of Deusa A-Má of Macau |
BNUBanco Nacional Ultramarino was a Portuguese bank with operations throughout the world, especially in Portugal's former overseas provinces. It ceased existence as an independent legal entity in Portugal following its merger with Caixa Geral de Depósitos, the government-owned savings bank, in...
building |
August 8, 2005 |
LotusNelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus, is a plant in the monogeneric family Nelumbonaceae...
|
|
|
MOP$20 |
143 × 71.5 mm |
Violet |
Macau International Airport - Cargo airlines :The following cargo airlines serve Macau International Airport :*Air Macau*EVA Air Cargo*Shanghai Airlines Cargo*Singapore Airlines Cargo- Other Tenants :* Macau Customs Service...
|
August 8, 2005 |
|
|
MOP$50 |
148 x 74 mm |
Brown |
Sai Van Bridge Ponte de Sai Van is a cable-stayed bridge in Macau inaugurated on December 19, 2004. The bridge measures long and is the third one that connects Taipa Island and Macau Peninsula...
|
August 8, 2009 |
|
|
MOP$100 |
153 × 76.5 mm |
Blue |
Largo do Senado |
August 8, 2005 |
|
|
MOP$500 |
158 × 79 mm |
Green |
Macau TowerMacau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre , also known as Macau Tower, is a tower located in the former Portuguese colony of Macau, now a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. The tower measures 338 m in height from ground level to the highest point...
|
August 8, 2005 |
|
|
MOP$1000 |
163 × 81.5 mm |
Orange |
Macau Cultural Centre |
August 8, 2005 |
Bank of ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
2008 Series Banknote |
| Image | |Description | |Watermark |
| Obverse | Reverse | Dimensions | Color | Obverse | Reverse |
|
|
MOP$10 |
138 × 69 mm |
Red, orange |
A-Ma Temple A-Ma Temple , situated on the southwest tip of the Macau Peninsula, is one of the oldest and most famous Taoist temples in Macau. Built in 1488, the temple is dedicated to Matsu, the goddess of seafarers and fishermen....
|
Bank of ChinaBank of China Limited is one of the big four state-owned commercial banks of the People's Republic of China. It was founded in 1912 by the Government of the Republic of China, to replace the Government Bank of Imperial China. It is the oldest bank in China...
, Macau branch |
August 8, 2008 |
LotusNelumbo nucifera, known by a number of names including Indian Lotus, Sacred Lotus, Bean of India, or simply Lotus, is a plant in the monogeneric family Nelumbonaceae...
|
|
|
MOP$20 |
143 × 71.5 mm |
Violet |
Ruins of St. Paul's |
|
|
MOP$50 |
148 × 74 mm |
Brown |
Dom Pedro V Theatre Dom Pedro V Theatre , situated at Largo de Santo Agostinho, Macau, is one of the first western-style theatres in China. The theatre is an important landmark in the region and remains a venue for important public events and celebrations today. The Dom Pedro V Theatre was built in 1860 by local...
|
|
|
MOP$100 |
153 × 76.5 mm |
Blue |
Guia Lighthouse and Monte fort |
|
|
MOP$500 |
158 × 79 mm |
Green |
Casa do Mandarim |
|
|
MOP$1000 |
163 × 81.5 mm |
Orange |
Leal SenadoThis article is about the building. For the organization known as the Leal Senado, see Municipal Council of Macau.The Leal Senado Building was the seat of Macau's government during its time as a Portuguese colony. It is located at one end of the Senado Square...
|
The 2005 series of BNU was printed by
Royal Joh. EnschedéRoyal Joh. Enschedé is a printer of security documents, stamps and banknotes based in Haarlem, Netherlands. Joh. Enschedé specialises in print, media & security. The company hosts the Museum Enschedé and has branches in Amsterdam, Brussels and Haarlem....
, a security printing firm in the
NetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
.
Historical exchange rate
Despite the fact that the pataca is the official currency of Macau, most of the money in circulation in the territory is actually Hong Kong dollars. Patacas accounted for only 29.9% of Macau's money supply at the end of 1998.
The exchange rate is pegged and is approximately MOP$103 for HK$100 as of February 2004. For United States dollars, to which the Hong Kong dollar is in turn
loosely peggedA linked exchange rate system is a type of exchange rate regime to link the exchange rate of a currency to another. It is the exchange rate system implemented in Hong Kong to stabilise the exchange rate between the Hong Kong dollar and the United States dollar...
, the exchange rate is around 8 patacas to 1 US dollar. Although it is possible to exchange patacas in Macau, it is either difficult or impossible to do so elsewhere. The few places in
Hong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
where patacas are available are concentrated on Cleverly Street, a short distance from the Macau Ferry.
Although the pataca is the legal tender of Macau, the Hong Kong dollar is almost universally acceptable in the city, and in some cases, is preferred to the Pataca. Circulation of the pataca is mandated by a decree (Decreto-Lei n.º 16/95/M) prohibiting refusal by merchants, but some casinos flout this rule and refuse bets in patacas. The Hong Kong dollar and
renminbiThe Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
are generally accepted throughout Macau from casinos to restaurants. Payments to government agencies can also be made in both Hong Kong dollars and patacas.
As there are currently no restrictions on the import or export of either local or foreign currency into or from Macau, visitors can change their currency in
hotelA hotel is an establishment that provides paid lodging on a short-term basis. The provision of basic accommodation, in times past, consisting only of a room with a bed, a cupboard, a small table and a washstand has largely been replaced by rooms with modern facilities, including en-suite bathrooms...
s,
bankA bank is a financial institution that serves as a financial intermediary. The term "bank" may refer to one of several related types of entities:...
s and authorized
exchangeThe foreign exchange market is a global, worldwide decentralized financial market for trading currencies. Financial centers around the world function as anchors of trading between a wide range of different types of buyers and sellers around the clock, with the exception of weekends...
dealers located all around the city. There are also 24-hour exchange counters at
Macau International Airport- Cargo airlines :The following cargo airlines serve Macau International Airport :*Air Macau*EVA Air Cargo*Shanghai Airlines Cargo*Singapore Airlines Cargo- Other Tenants :* Macau Customs Service...
(Taipa Island) and at the Lisboa Hotel (
Macau PeninsulaMacau Peninsula is the oldest and most populous part of Macau. It has an area of 8.5 km² and is geographically connected to Guandong province, at the northeast, through an isthmus 200-metre wide. The peninsula, together with the city centre of Zhuhai, sits on an island separated from the...
) for customers if they want to change their currency into patacas outside working hours.
MOP annual average middle exchange rate for major foreign currencies, from 2002 on
(1 foreign currency unit to MOP)
| Year |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
Hong Kong dollarThe Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
|
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
| Chinese yuan The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
|
0.9706 |
0.9691 |
0.9693 |
0.9778 |
1.0025 |
1.0560 |
1.1546 |
1.1688 |
| United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
|
8.0334 |
8.0214 |
8.0226 |
8.0109 |
8.0006 |
8.0360 |
8.0206 |
7.9842 |
British PoundThe pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
|
12.0766 |
13.1040 |
14.6911 |
14.5820 |
14.6993 |
16.0887 |
14.8965 |
12.5159 |
Taiwan dollarThe New Taiwan dollar , or simply Taiwan dollar, is the official currency of the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China since 1949, when it replaced the Old Taiwan dollar...
|
0.2328 |
0.2332 |
0.2401 |
0.2494 |
0.2462 |
0.2447 |
0.2548 |
0.2418 |
EuroThe euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
|
7.5984 |
9.0696 |
9.9645 |
9.9721 |
10.0272 |
11.0049 |
11.8092 |
11.1309 |
Australian dollarThe Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
|
4.3703 |
5.2271 |
5.9021 |
6.1064 |
6.0169 |
6.7351 |
6.8552 |
6.3269 |
Korean wonThe won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
|
0.0065 |
0.0067 |
0.0070 |
0.0078 |
0.0084 |
0.0087 |
0.0074 |
0.0063 |
Japanese yenThe is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
|
0.0643 |
0.0692 |
0.0742 |
0.0729 |
0.0689 |
0.0683 |
0.0776 |
0.0854 |
Malaysian ringgitThe Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen...
|
2.1141 |
2.1109 |
2.1112 |
2.1155 |
2.1797 |
2.3374 |
2.4124 |
2.2669 |
New Zealand dollarThe New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
|
3.7306 |
4.6671 |
5.3214 |
5.6436 |
5.1889 |
5.9128 |
5.7341 |
5.0721 |
Singapore dollarThe Singapore dollar or Dollar is the official currency of Singapore. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
|
4.4893 |
4.6034 |
4.7452 |
4.8137 |
5.0294 |
5.3325 |
5.6788 |
5.4955 |
Swiss francThe franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia. Although not formally legal tender in the German exclave Büsingen , it is in wide daily use there...
|
5.1812 |
5.9632 |
6.4572 |
6.4424 |
6.3801 |
6.6998 |
7.4326 |
7.3721 |
MOP annual average middle exchange rate for major foreign currencies, 1990-2002
(1 foreign currency unit to MOP)
| Year |
1990 |
1991 |
1992 |
1993 |
1994 |
1995 |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
Hong Kong dollarThe Hong Kong dollar is the currency of the jurisdiction. It is the eighth most traded currency in the world. In English, it is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively HK$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
|
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
1.03 |
Portuguese escudoThe escudo was the currency of Portugal prior to the introduction of the Euro on 1 January 1999 and its removal from circulation on 28 February 2002. The escudo was subdivided into 100 centavos....
|
0.0564 |
0.0555 |
0.0593 |
0.0497 |
0.0481 |
0.0532 |
0.0517 |
0.0456 |
0.0443 |
0.0425 |
0.0370 |
0.0359 |
| German mark |
4.9750 |
4.8362 |
5.1221 |
4.8199 |
4.9225 |
5.5677 |
5.2977 |
4.6049 |
4.5381 |
4.3601 |
3.7929 |
3.6794 |
French francThe franc was a currency of France. Along with the Spanish peseta, it was also a de facto currency used in Andorra . Between 1360 and 1641, it was the name of coins worth 1 livre tournois and it remained in common parlance as a term for this amount of money...
|
1.4767 |
1.4222 |
1.5115 |
1.4076 |
1.4392 |
1.5988 |
1.5583 |
1.3679 |
1.3537 |
1.3000 |
1.1309 |
1.0971 |
| United States dollar The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
|
8.0230 |
8.0041 |
7.9723 |
7.9679 |
7.9602 |
7.9679 |
7.9664 |
7.9749 |
7.9788 |
7.9918 |
8.0260 |
8.0335 |
British PoundThe pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
|
14.3239 |
14.1421 |
14.0998 |
11.9638 |
12.1982 |
12.5766 |
12.4392 |
13.0709 |
13.2203 |
12.9284 |
12.1663 |
11.5698 |
| Chinese yuan The Renminbi is the official currency of the People's Republic of China . Renminbi is legal tender in mainland China, but not in Hong Kong or Macau. It is issued by the People's Bank of China, the monetary authority of the PRC...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.9620 |
0.9637 |
0.9654 |
0.9695 |
0.9706 |
Taiwan dollarThe New Taiwan dollar , or simply Taiwan dollar, is the official currency of the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China since 1949, when it replaced the Old Taiwan dollar...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.2788 |
0.2384 |
0.2477 |
0.2574 |
0.2379 |
EuroThe euro is the official currency of the eurozone: 17 of the 27 member states of the European Union. It is also the currency used by the Institutions of the European Union. The eurozone consists of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg,...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.0177 |
8.9532 |
8.5277 |
7.4183 |
7.1962 |
Australian dollarThe Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.9341 |
5.0203 |
5.1574 |
4.6739 |
4.1598 |
Korean wonThe won is the currency of South Korea. A single won is divided into 100 jeon, the monetary subunit. The jeon is no longer used for everyday transactions, and appears only in foreign exchange rates...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.0086 |
0.0057 |
0.0067 |
0.0071 |
0.0062 |
Japanese yenThe is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.0661 |
0.0611 |
0.0704 |
0.0745 |
0.0662 |
Malaysian ringgitThe Malaysian ringgit is the currency of Malaysia. It is divided into 100 sen...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2.8954 |
2.0387 |
2.1031 |
2.1121 |
2.1141 |
New Zealand dollarThe New Zealand dollar is the currency of New Zealand. It also circulates in the Cook Islands , Niue, Tokelau, and the Pitcairn Islands. It is divided into 100 cents....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.2849 |
4.2816 |
4.2315 |
3.6684 |
3.3813 |
Singapore dollarThe Singapore dollar or Dollar is the official currency of Singapore. It is normally abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or alternatively S$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.3851 |
4.7720 |
4.7160 |
4.6553 |
4.4867 |
Swiss francThe franc is the currency and legal tender of Switzerland and Liechtenstein; it is also legal tender in the Italian exclave Campione d'Italia. Although not formally legal tender in the German exclave Büsingen , it is in wide daily use there...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.5020 |
5.5090 |
5.3278 |
4.7590 |
4.7638 |
External links