Country ISO code: MO

Official language: Chinese (primarily Cantonese)

Language ISO code: zh

Current official currency: Macanese Pataca

Current currency ISO code: MOP

Complete Financial History of Macau (澳門特別行政區)

Current official currency: Macanese Pataca (澳門元)

• ISO code: MOP

• Symbols: MOP$, 澳門元

• Singular name: Pataca

• Plural name: Patacas

• Monetary subdivision: 1 Pataca = 100 avos (仙)

• Fraction singular name: Avo (仙)

• Fraction plural name: Avos (仙)

• Initial production date: 1901 (first banknotes issued by Banco Nacional Ultramarino - BNU)

• Final production date: Still in circulation

• Initial circulation date: 1901

• Final circulation date: Still in circulation

• Mint: Coins produced starting 1952; previously circulated Chinese and Hong Kong coins

• Issuing bank: Initially Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BNU); currently Macau Monetary Authority (AMCM)

Coin denominations

• 10 avos

• 20 avos

• 50 avos

• 1 pataca

• 2 patacas

• 5 patacas

• 10 patacas

Banknote denominations

• 10 patacas

• 20 patacas

• 50 patacas

• 100 patacas

• 500 patacas

• 1,000 patacas

Economic and historical context

• The Pataca was introduced to replace the Portuguese real and other local currencies, originating from the Mexican eight-real coin known as the Mexican pataca.

• In the early decades, it competed with Chinese coins, Hong Kong currency, and local silver certificates (pangtan), which circulated until 1944.

• In 1905, BNU was granted the monopoly to issue Pataca banknotes.

• In 1980, the Macau Issuing Institute assumed monopoly on issuance, with BNU and from 1995, Bank of China (Macau branch) authorized to issue notes.

• The Pataca maintains a fixed exchange rate with the Hong Kong dollar, which is widely accepted in Macau.

• Macau preserves monetary autonomy under the “one country, two systems” principle after the 1999 sovereignty transfer.

Minting and production locations

• Coins are produced by international mints, including Royal Canadian Mint and others.

Designs and symbols on coins and banknotes

• Coins feature local motifs such as dragon boats, lighthouses, temples, churches, and Chinese junks.

• Banknotes depict Chinese junks, panoramic views of Macau, Guia Lighthouse, BNU headquarters, lion dances, University of Macau, airport, and ferry terminal.

Production volumes, honorees, and seals

• Specific production volumes are not widely published.

• Some commemorative coins have been issued for cultural and historic events.

Commemorative coins and curiosities

• Macau issues commemorative coins on special occasions such as sovereignty anniversaries and cultural events.

Current circulation status

• The Macanese Pataca is actively circulating and is the sole legal tender in the Macau Special Administrative Region.

• The Hong Kong dollar is widely accepted though not legal tender.

Issuing authority

• Macau Monetary Authority (AMCM), a government agency of the Macau SAR.

Relevant monetary legislation

• Currency issuance and regulation are governed by Macau SAR legislation, ensuring monetary autonomy under the “one country, two systems” framework.

Names and titles of banknote signatories

• Banknotes bear signatures of the Governor of the Macau Monetary Authority and the Chief Executive of Macau.

List of persons honored on coins and banknotes

• Images honor Macau’s cultural, architectural, and natural symbols rather than specific individuals.

Official language recognized by the state for administrative, legislative, judicial, monetary, and educational use:
Chinese, primarily spoken Cantonese and traditional written Chinese, is the most widely used and officially recognized language for these functions in Macau. Although Portuguese is also an official language with equal status, its daily and administrative use is limited, mainly confined to legal documents and specific government sectors. Therefore, Chinese is the principal official language for administrative, legislative, judicial, monetary, and educational purposes in the Macau Special Administrative Region.