Sudanese pound
Encyclopedia
The Sudanese pound is the currency of Sudan
and also used in South Sudan
until finalization of the introduction of the South Sudanese pound
. Both Arabic and English names for the denominations appear on the country's banknotes and coins. On 24 July 2011, Sudan launched a new currency. The new Sudanese pound note has certain symbols absent and a redrawn map of the country after the secession of the south.
. Both Muhammad ibn Abdalla (the Mahdi
) and Abdallahi ibn Muhammad
(the Khalifa
) issued coins which circulated alongside the Egyptian currency. The Egyptian pound circulated until its replacement by Sudan's own pound in 1956 at par. From 30 December 1969 until 21 September 1971, the Sudanese pound was at par with the pound sterling
.
The pound was subdivided into 100 qirush
(Arabic: , singular qirsh, , English
: piastre). During the rule of the Mahdi and Khalifa, the qirsh was subdivided into 40 para. From 1916, the Egyptian qirsh was subdivided into 10 millim , this was adopted in 1956 in Sudan.
The pound was replaced in 1992 by the dinar (SDD)
at a rate of 1 dinar = 10 pounds. While the dinar circulated in northern Sudan, in Southern Sudan, prices were still negotiated in pounds, whilst in Rumbek
and Yei, the Kenyan shilling
was used and accepted more within the transport sectors as well as for hotels/accommodation.
For a wider history surrounding currency in the region, see The History of British Currency in the Middle East.
In 1987, aluminium-bronze 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 qirush and 1 pound were introduced, with the 25 and 50 qirush square and octagonal in shape, respectively. In 1989, stainless-steel 25 and 50 qirush and 1 pound were issued.
-bronze
) and the 10 piaster is silver
coloured (made of stainless steel
). The 20 and 50 piaster coins are bi-metallic
, with the 20 qirush yellow ringed with a silver coloured centre and the 50 qirush the opposite.
in 1961. 20-pound notes were introduced in 1981, followed by 50 pounds in 1984 and 100 pounds in 1988.
.
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
and also used in South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
until finalization of the introduction of the South Sudanese pound
South Sudanese pound
The South Sudanese pound is the official currency of the Republic of South Sudan. It is subdivided into 100 piastres. It was approved by the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly prior to secession on 9 July 2011 from Sudan...
. Both Arabic and English names for the denominations appear on the country's banknotes and coins. On 24 July 2011, Sudan launched a new currency. The new Sudanese pound note has certain symbols absent and a redrawn map of the country after the secession of the south.
First pound (SDP)
The first pound to circulate in Sudan was the Egyptian poundEgyptian pound
The Egyptian Pound is the currency of Egypt. It is divided into 100 Qirsh , or 1,000 Milliemes ....
. Both Muhammad ibn Abdalla (the Mahdi
Mahdi
In Islamic eschatology, the Mahdi is the prophesied redeemer of Islam who will stay on Earth for seven, nine or nineteen years- before the Day of Judgment and, alongside Jesus, will rid the world of wrongdoing, injustice and tyranny.In Shia Islam, the belief in the Mahdi is a "central religious...
) and Abdallahi ibn Muhammad
Abdallahi ibn Muhammad
Abdullah Ibn-Mohammed or Abdullah al-Taaisha, also known as "The Khalifa" was a Sudanese Ansar General and ruler.-Early years:Abdullah was born into the Ta'aisha Baqqara tribe in Darfur around 1846 and was trained and educated as a preacher and holy man.He became a follower of Mohammed Ahmed "the...
(the Khalifa
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
) issued coins which circulated alongside the Egyptian currency. The Egyptian pound circulated until its replacement by Sudan's own pound in 1956 at par. From 30 December 1969 until 21 September 1971, the Sudanese pound was at par with the pound sterling
Pound sterling
The 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...
.
The pound was subdivided into 100 qirush
Qirsh
Qirsh, Gersh, Grush, Kuruş and Grosi are all names for currency denominations in and around the territories formerly part of the Ottoman Empire. The variation in the name stems from the different languages it is used in and the different transcriptions into the Latin alphabet...
(Arabic: , singular qirsh, , English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: piastre). During the rule of the Mahdi and Khalifa, the qirsh was subdivided into 40 para. From 1916, the Egyptian qirsh was subdivided into 10 millim , this was adopted in 1956 in Sudan.
The pound was replaced in 1992 by the dinar (SDD)
Sudanese dinar
The dinar was the currency of Sudan between June 8, 1992 and January 10, 2007. Its ISO 4217 code is "SDD". It is now replaced by the pound.-History:...
at a rate of 1 dinar = 10 pounds. While the dinar circulated in northern Sudan, in Southern Sudan, prices were still negotiated in pounds, whilst in Rumbek
Rumbek
Rumbek is a town in South Sudan.-Location:The town of Rumbek is located in Rumbek Central County, Lakes State in central South Sudan. This location lies approximately , by road, northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in that country. Rumbek sits at an elevation of above sea level...
and Yei, the Kenyan shilling
Kenyan shilling
The shilling is the currency of Kenya. It is divisible into 100 cents.-Coins:The first coins were issued in 1966 in denominations of 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents, and 1 and 2 shillings. Twenty-five cents coins were not minted after 1969; 2 shillings coins were last minted in 1971...
was used and accepted more within the transport sectors as well as for hotels/accommodation.
Second pound (SDG)
According to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the Government of the Republic of The Sudan and The Sudan People's Liberation Movement, the Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS) shall adopt a program to issue a new currency as soon as is practical during the Interim Period. The design of the new currency shall reflect the cultural diversity of Sudan. Until a new currency has been issued with the approval of the Parties on the recommendations of the CBOS, the circulating currencies in Southern Sudan shall be recognised. The second pound began introduction on 9 or 10 January 2007, and became the only legal tender as of July 1, 2007. It replaced the dinar at a rate of 1 pound = 100 dinar or 1 pound (SDG) = 1000 pound (SDP).Third pound
The third edition of the Sudanese Pound was established on 24 July 2011 following the succession of South Sudan from the Republic of Sudan.For a wider history surrounding currency in the region, see The History of British Currency in the Middle East.
Issues of the Mahdi and Khalifa
In 1885, the Mahdi issued silver coins for 10 and 20 qirush and gold 100 qirush. These were followed by issues of the Khalifa in denominations of 10 para, 1, 2, 2½, 4, 5, 10 and 20 qirush. These coins were initially minted in silver in 1885. Over the following eleven years, severe debasement occurred, leading to billon, then silver-washed copper and finally copper coins being issued. The coinage ceased in 1897.First pound
In 1956, coins were introduced in denominations of 1, 2, 5 and 10 millim, 2, 5 and 10 qirush. The millim denominations were struck in bronze, whilst the qirush denominations were in cupro-nickel. The 2, 5 and 10 millim were scallop shaped, although a round 5 millim was introduced in 1971. The 1 and 2 millim were last struck in 1969. In 1983, brass 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 qirush were introduced, with the 5 millim struck for the last time.In 1987, aluminium-bronze 1, 5, 10, 20, 25 and 50 qirush and 1 pound were introduced, with the 25 and 50 qirush square and octagonal in shape, respectively. In 1989, stainless-steel 25 and 50 qirush and 1 pound were issued.
Second pound
Coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 piasters were introduced alongside the circulating dinar coins. The Central Bank of Sudan states that the 5 piaster coins are yellow coloured (perhaps aluminiumAluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
-bronze
Bronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
) and the 10 piaster is silver
Silver
Silver is a metallic chemical element with the chemical symbol Ag and atomic number 47. A soft, white, lustrous transition metal, it has the highest electrical conductivity of any element and the highest thermal conductivity of any metal...
coloured (made of stainless steel
Stainless steel
In metallurgy, stainless steel, also known as inox steel or inox from French "inoxydable", is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10.5 or 11% chromium content by mass....
). The 20 and 50 piaster coins are bi-metallic
Bi-metallic coins
Bi-metallic coins are coins consisting of more than one metal or alloy, generally arranged with an outer ring around a contrasting center. Common circulating examples include the €1, €2, British £2, Canadian $2, South African R5, Turkish 1 lira, and all Mexican coins of $1 or higher...
, with the 20 qirush yellow ringed with a silver coloured centre and the 50 qirush the opposite.
Third pound
Coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 piasters and 1 pound are to be introduced.First pound
In 1956, the Sudan Currency Board introduced notes for 25 and 50 qirush, 1, 5 and 10 pounds. Note production was taken over by the Bank of SudanBank of Sudan
Bank of Sudan is the central bank of the Sudan. The bank was formed in 1960, four years after Sudan's independence. It is located in Khartoum and its governor is currently Mohamed Kheir El-Zubeir.-History:...
in 1961. 20-pound notes were introduced in 1981, followed by 50 pounds in 1984 and 100 pounds in 1988.
.