Macao Coin List

The official currency of Macau is the Macanese pataca, which has been used in this territory since 1894. Throughout its history, Macau has undergone several changes in its monetary system, reflecting its rich cultural heritage and its status as a special administrative region of China.

Current currency in circulation

The Macanese pataca is divided into 100 avos and is issued in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 avos, as well as coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10 patacas. Banknotes are printed in denominations of 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 patacas. The Macao Monetary Authority is in charge of regulating and issuing the currency, which is pegged to the Hong Kong dollar at a ratio of 1.03 patacas to one Hong Kong dollar.

Monetary history and relevant facts

Prior to the introduction of the pataca, Macau used a variety of foreign currencies, including the Portuguese real and the Mexican peso. An important milestone in Macau's numismatic history was the issuance of its first own coins in 1952, which included bronze and cupro-nickel pieces. In 1995, new bimetallic 10 patacas coins were introduced, marking a significant advance in the security and design of the local currency. In addition, in 2019, Macau issued a commemorative series of coins to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its return to China, highlighting the importance of numismatics in preserving its cultural identity.