Here is the complete financial historical report of Mozambique, in International English, as requested:
Country ISO Code: MZ
Official Language: Portuguese
Language ISO Code: pt
Current Official Currency: Metical (new)
Currency ISO Code: MZN
Issuing Authority: Bank of Mozambique
During Portuguese colonial rule, Mozambique used the Mozambican escudo, a variant of the Portuguese escudo.
The escudo experienced devaluations and instability, especially during political and social upheavals preceding independence.
The metical was introduced on June 16, 1980, replacing the escudo.
The name "metical" derives from an ancient weight unit used in pre-colonial trade, approximately 4.83 grams of gold dust.
The metical symbolized Mozambique’s economic sovereignty after independence in 1975.
Initial banknotes included denominations of 50, 100, 500, and 1000 meticais.
Mozambique experienced severe hyperinflation during the 1980s and 1990s due to civil war and economic instability.
The metical became one of the world’s most devalued currencies by the early 2000s.
Extremely high denominations were issued, including notes up to 500,000 meticais.
On July 1, 2006, Mozambique redenominated its currency, removing three zeros from the old metical.
The new metical (MZN) replaced the old metical (MZM) at a rate of 1 MZN = 1000 MZM.
New coins and banknotes were introduced, with the currency symbol changing from MT to MTn.
The old metical was exchangeable until December 31, 2012.
Attribute | Description |
---|---|
ISO Code | MZN |
Singular Name | metical |
Plural Name | meticais |
Subdivision | 1 metical = 100 centavos |
Date Introduced | June 16, 1980 (original); July 1, 2006 (redenomination) |
Issuing Authority | Bank of Mozambique |
Coins in Circulation | 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 centavos; 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 meticais |
Banknotes in Circulation | 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000 meticais |
The metical’s introduction marked Mozambique’s break from colonial monetary systems and assertion of national sovereignty.
Civil war and economic turmoil caused hyperinflation, severely undermining the currency’s value.
The 2006 redenomination aimed to stabilize the currency, simplify transactions, and restore confidence.
Today, the metical is a stable currency managed by the Bank of Mozambique.
The term "metical" originates from an ancient Arabic weight measure used in gold trade, linking Mozambique’s currency to its historical trade roots.
June 16 is celebrated as Metical Day in Mozambique, commemorating the currency’s introduction and its symbolic importance.
The National Currency Museum in Maputo preserves the history of Mozambique’s monetary system, including the metical’s evolution.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of Mozambique’s monetary history, highlighting the metical’s role in the country’s economic and political development.