Eritrea Coin List

The official currency of Eritrea is the nakfa, introduced in 1997 to replace the Ethiopian birr after the country's independence. Eritrea's monetary system has undergone several changes throughout its history, reflecting different influences and periods of foreign domination.

Monetary history of Eritrea

Prior to the introduction of the nakfa, Eritrea used a variety of currencies due to its complex history. During the Italian colonial period, the Italian East African lira was used. Later, under British administration, the East African shilling circulated. After federation with Ethiopia in 1952, Eritrea adopted the Ethiopian dollar and then the birr, which remained in use until independence in 1993.

Numismatic milestones in Eritrea

The introduction of the nakfa in 1997 marked a significant milestone in Eritrean numismatics. The coin's name was chosen in honor of the city of Nakfa, a symbol of resistance during the war of independence. Another notable event was the issuance of commemorative coins in 1997 to celebrate the 6th anniversary of independence, including silver and gold pieces that are highly valued by collectors.