# **Republiek Suriname**
## **Full Financial History Report**

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### **Basic Data:**

- **ISO Country Code:** SR
- **Official Language:** Dutch *(Nederlands)*
- **ISO Language Code (main):** nl
- **Current Official Currency:** Surinamese Dollar
- **ISO Currency Code (current):** SRD

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## **2. Currencies Circulated in Suriname (since the beginning of monetary production)**

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### **2.1. Spanish Real and Portuguese Cruzeiro (Historical Foreign Currencies)**

- **ISO Code:** —
- **Singular Name:** Real / Cruzeiro
- **Plural Name:** Reales / Cruzeiros
- **Monetary Subdivision:** 1 Real = 8 reales pequeños / 1 Cruzeiro = 100 centavos
- **Fraction Singular Name:** Centavo
- **Fraction Plural Name:** Centavos
- **Start Date of Production:** c. 1650 *(used during colonial rule by Spain and Portugal)*
- **End Date of Production:** 1825
- **Start Date of Circulation:** c. 1650
- **End Date of Circulation:** 1825
- **Mint:** Royal Mint of Spain, Royal Mint of Portugal
- **Issuing Bank:** Not applicable *(used under colonial rule)*
- **Coin Denominations:** ½ real, 1 real, 2 reales, 4 reales, 8 reales; 10, 20, 50 centavos
- **Banknote Denominations:** —
- **Historical Context:** Used during early colonial period before Dutch control.
- **Designs / Symbols:** Spanish crowns, Portuguese crosses and heraldic motifs
- **Current Status:** Out of circulation
- **Issuing Authority:** Spanish Crown, Portuguese Crown
- **Relevant Legislation:** Colonial trade and currency use
- **People Honored on Notes:** King Philip II *(Spain), King João VI* *(Portugal)*

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### **2.2. Netherlands Antillian Guilder (ANG) – used in Suriname during Dutch colonial era**

- **ISO Code:** ANG
- **Singular Name:** Guilder
- **Plural Name:** Guilders
- **Monetary Subdivision:** 1 Guilder = 100 cents
- **Fraction Singular Name:** Cent
- **Fraction Plural Name:** Cents
- **Start Date of Production:** c. 1720 *(imported from Netherlands and Netherland Antilles)*
- **End Date of Production:** 1962 *(replaced by Surinamese Guilder)*
- **Start Date of Circulation:** c. 1720
- **End Date of Circulation:** 1962
- **Mint:** Royal Dutch Mint *(Netherlands)*
- **Issuing Bank:** De Surinaamsche Bank *(now SBBS)*
- **Coin Denominations:** 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents; 1 guilder
- **Banknote Denominations:** 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 100 guilders
- **Historical Context:** Used during Dutch colonial rule before independence movements began.
- **Designs / Symbols:** Dutch royal family portraits, colonial symbols
- **Print Runs / Commemorative Issues:** Issued by Netherlands and used across colonies
- **Curiosities:** The same notes were also used in Curaçao and Aruba
- **Current Status:** Out of circulation
- **Issuing Authority:** Netherlands Government
- **Relevant Legislation:** Colonial monetary policy
- **Signatories on Notes:** Governors of Suriname under Dutch rule
- **People Honored on Notes:** Willem III *(King of the Netherlands), Queen Wilhelmina*

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### **2.3. Surinamese Guilder (SRG)** – **First Local Currency**

- **ISO Code:** SRG *(retired)*
- **Singular Name:** Surinamese Guilder
- **Plural Name:** Surinamese Guilders
- **Monetary Subdivision:** 1 Guilder = 100 cents
- **Fraction Singular Name:** Cent
- **Fraction Plural Name:** Cents
- **Start Date of Production:** 1940
- **End Date of Production:** 1989
- **Start Date of Circulation:** 1940
- **End Date of Circulation:** 1989
- **Mint:** Royal Dutch Mint *(Netherlands)*
- **Issuing Bank:** De Surinaamsche Bank *(until 1957), later Suriname National Bank*
- **Coin Denominations:** 1, 5, 10, 25 cents; ½, 1 guilder
- **Banknote Denominations:** 1, 5, 10, 25, 100 guilders
- **Historical Context:** Introduced to replace Netherlands Antillean guilder and establish local monetary identity.
- **Designs / Symbols:** Indigenous peoples, Dutch monarchy, natural landscapes
- **Print Runs / Commemorative Issues:** Series issued in 1940, 1957, 1976
- **Curiosities:** Was replaced due to hyperinflation in the late 1980s
- **Current Status:** Out of circulation
- **Issuing Authority:** De Surinaamsche Bank, Suriname National Bank *(from 1957–1989)*
- **Relevant Legislation:** Law establishing Suriname National Bank *(1957)*
- **Signatories on Notes:** Governor of the Suriname National Bank
- **People Honored on Notes:** Queen Juliana, Prince Johan Friso

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### **2.4. Surinamese Dollar (SRD)** – **Current Official Currency**

- **ISO Code:** SRD
- **Singular Name:** Surinamese Dollar
- **Plural Name:** Surinamese Dollars
- **Monetary Subdivision:** 1 Dollar = 100 cents
- **Fraction Singular Name:** Cent
- **Fraction Plural Name:** Cents
- **Start Date of Production:** 1989
- **End Date of Production:** Ongoing
- **Start Date of Circulation:** 1989
- **End Date of Circulation:** In circulation
- **Mint:** Royal Dutch Mint *(Netherlands), Suriname printing and minting facilities*
- **Issuing Bank:** Central Bank of Suriname *(CBvS – Centrale Bank van Suriname)*
- **Coin Denominations:** $0.05, $0.10, $0.25, $1, $2.50, $5
- **Banknote Denominations:** $10, $20, $50, $100, $500
- **Historical Context:** Introduced to combat hyperinflation following a military coup and economic crisis.
- **Designs / Symbols:** Surinamese flora and fauna, cultural diversity, national heroes
- **Print Runs / Commemorative Issues:** New polymer series introduced in 2020 for durability
- **Curiosities:** High inflation led to large denominations like $500
- **Current Status:** Active
- **Issuing Authority:** Central Bank of Suriname *(established in 1957)*
- **Relevant Legislation:** Central Bank Charter *(1957), Surinamese Dollar Act (1989)*
- **Current Signatories:** Governor of the Central Bank of Suriname
- **People Honored on Notes:** Indigenous leaders, scientists, and historical figures

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## **3. Mints / Production Facilities**

- **Royal Dutch Mint** *(The Netherlands)*
- **Centrale Bank van Suriname Printing Facility** *(Paramaribo)*
- **Suriname Coining Center** *(modern coin production)*

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## **4. Chronological Summary of Currency Changes**

| Year | Currency Change | Equivalence |
|------|------------------|-------------|
| 1940 | Netherlands Antillean Guilder → Surinamese Guilder | 1:1 |
| 1989 | Surinamese Guilder → Surinamese Dollar | 1:1000 |

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## **5. Additional Curiosities**

- Suriname is one of the few countries where indigenous culture plays a central role in banknote design.
- The Central Bank of Suriname has issued special coins commemorating independence and cultural events.
- Despite being a small economy, Suriname has gone through major currency changes due to political instability.
- Some older Surinamese Guilders are now collectible items.

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## **6. Historical Issuing Authorities**

- De Surinaamsche Bank *(1828–1957)*
- Suriname National Bank *(1957–1989)*
- Central Bank of Suriname *(CBvS – since 1989)*

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## **7. Key Monetary Legislation**

- Establishment of Suriname National Bank *(1957)*
- Surinamese Dollar Act *(1989)*
- Central Bank Charter *(1957)*

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## **8. Prominent Figures Featured on Banknotes**

- Queen Juliana
- King William III
- Prince Johan Friso
- Indigenous leaders and Maroon community figures
- Scientists and environmentalists
- Cultural icons and historical figures from Surinamese history