The peso was the currency of Guinea-Bissau from 1975 to 1997 and was divided into 100 centavos. It replaced the escudo at par. In 1997, in an effort to stop high inflation, Guinea-Bissau adopted the CFA franc, using a conversion rate of 65 pesos to the franc.

History

The peso replaced the escudo in 1975. It was originally equivalent to the Portuguese escudo.

Historical exchange rates

  • 1975–1976: fixed exchange rate with the Portuguese escudo at parity.
  • 1976–1977: fixed exchange rate with the Portuguese escudo (0.85 GWP = 1.00 PTE)
  • 1977–1978: fixed exchange rate with the Portuguese escudo (0.74 GWP = 1.00 PTE)
  • 26 May 1978 – 22 December 1983: fixed exchange rate with the special drawing rights at a rate of 44 pesos per SDR.
  • 23 December 1983: Peso devalued to 88 per SDR.
  • 4 May 1987: Peso devalued to 650 per USD.

Continued rapid inflation had eroded the value of the peso. By 1996, the exchange rate had reached 225 pesos per Portuguese escudo.

The adoption of the CFA Franc in 1997 created a steep inflation, which in turn contributed to the social unrest that led to the 1998 coup.

Coins

Coins were issued in denominations of 50 centavos, 1, 2+1⁄2, 5 and 20 pesos.

Banknotes

Banknotes in denominations of 50, 100, and 500 pesos dated 24-9-1975 (24 September 1975) were issued on 2 March 1976. 1000 peso notes were introduced in 1978, followed by 5000 pesos notes in 1984 and 10,000 pesos notes in 1990.

Current Series
ImageValueMain ColourDescription
ObverseReverseObverseReverse
50 pesosReddish-purplePansau Na IsnaVillagers
100 pesosKhakiDomingos RamosCentral Bank building in Bissau
500 pesosBlueFrancisco MendesSlavery
1000 pesosBrownAmílcar Cabral"Apoteose ao Triunfo"
5000 pesosPurple and brownAmílcar CabralFieldwork
10,000 pesosGreenAmílcar CabralFishermen

See also

External links

Guinea-Bissau peso
Preceded by: Portuguese Guinean escudo Reason: independence Ratio: at parCurrency of Guinea-Bissau 1975 – 1997Succeeded by: West African CFA franc Reason: joining currency union and inflation Ratio: 1 franc = 65 pesos