Madagascar Coin List

The official currency of Madagascar is the Malagasy ariary, which was introduced in 1961 following the country's independence. Throughout its history, Madagascar has undergone several changes in its monetary system, reflecting the nation's political and economic transformations.

Monetary history of Madagascar

Prior to the adoption of the ariary, Madagascar used the Malagasy franc as its official currency. This system was established during the French colonial period and continued in use until 1961. The transition from the franc to the ariary was made with an exchange rate of 1 ariary for 5 Malagasy francs, facilitating the adaptation of the population to the new monetary system.

Relevant numismatic milestones

Among the highlights in Malagasy numismatics is the issuance of commemorative coins celebrating the island's rich biodiversity. In 2005, Madagascar launched a series of silver coins depicting endemic species such as the lemur. In addition, in 2017, the country introduced a new series of banknotes with modernized designs and enhanced security features, reflecting Madagascar's commitment to innovation in its monetary system.