Brazil Banknotes Catalog

The history of banknotes in Brazil is fascinating and reflects the economic and cultural evolution of the country. From its first issues to today's modern banknotes, Brazilian paper money has undergone numerous changes and adaptations over time.

Current banknotes in circulation

The current Brazilian banknotes belong to the Real family, introduced in 1994. This series includes denominations of 2, 5, 10, 20, 20, 50 and 100 reais, each with designs depicting Brazilian fauna. In 2010, a new series was launched with enhanced security features, keeping the same animals but with updated designs. The 200 reais bill, introduced in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, features the guará wolf as the protagonist.

Historical banknotes and milestones in Brazilian notafilia

Prior to the Real, Brazil used a variety of currencies, including the Cruzeiro and the Cruzado. An important milestone was the introduction of the Padrão Real in 1942, which standardized the design of banknotes. During the hyperinflation of the 1980s and early 1990s, high denomination banknotes were issued, reaching up to the 500,000 cruzeiros reais bill in 1993. The introduction of the Real in 1994 marked a turning point in the country's monetary stability, simplifying the system and drastically reducing inflation.