Basic Data:
Country ISO Code: MH
Official Languages: Marshallese and English
Language ISO Codes: mh (Marshallese), en (English)
Current Official Currency: United States Dollar
Current Currency ISO Code: USD
Complete Financial History of the Marshall Islands and Currency:
Current Official Currency: United States Dollar (USD)
Currency ISO Code: USD
Designs / Symbols: US dollar banknotes feature portraits of former US presidents and founding fathers; coins display national symbols such as the bald eagle. The currency symbol is "$".
Singular Name: dollar
Plural Name: dollars
Monetary Subdivision: 1 dollar = 100 cents
Fraction Name Singular: cent
Fraction Name Plural: cents
Initial Production Date: Late 18th century; adopted as official currency in the Marshall Islands in 1986
End Production Date: still in circulation
Initial Circulation Date in Marshall Islands: 1986
End Circulation Date: still in circulation
Mint: United States Mint (various locations)
Issuing Bank: United States Department of the Treasury
Coin Denominations Currently Minted: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents; 1 dollar coins (various standard and commemorative issues)
Banknote Denominations Currently Issued: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars
Historical and Economic Context:
The Marshall Islands were administered by the US under a UN trusteeship after World War II until independence in 1986.
Upon independence, the Marshall Islands adopted the US dollar as official currency under the Compact of Free Association with the US.
The use of the US dollar facilitates trade and economic stability due to close political and economic ties with the US.
The Marshall Islands do not issue their own currency and rely entirely on the US dollar for monetary transactions.
The economy depends on fishing, US aid, and limited commercial activities.
Mints / Production Locations:
Coins and banknotes are produced by the United States Mint and Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Designs / Symbols on Coins and Banknotes:
US currency features historical American figures, national symbols, and landmarks.
Current Circulation Status:
The US dollar is the official and sole legal tender currency circulating in the Marshall Islands.
Issuing Authority:
United States Department of the Treasury issues and regulates the currency.
Relevant Monetary Legislation:
The Compact of Free Association between the Marshall Islands and the US governs monetary arrangements.
Persons Honored on Banknotes and Coins:
US presidents and founding fathers such as George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Alexander Hamilton appear on the currency used in the Marshall Islands.
Summary of Coins and Banknotes Currently in Circulation in the Marshall Islands:
Type | Denominations in Circulation |
---|---|
Coins | 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents; 1 dollar coins |
Banknotes | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 dollars |
This report summarizes the financial history of the Marshall Islands, emphasizing its use of the US dollar as official currency since independence, with no separate national currency issued.