Exchange Currency

Algerian dinar

The algerian dinar is the currency of Algeria and it is subdivided into 100 santeem. The ISO 4217 code (currency abbreviation) for the algerian dinar is DZD.

Summary info

Summary information about Algerian dinar
ISO 4217 Code:
DZD
Currency sign:
دج or DA
Country:
Algeria
Subunit:
santeem
Coins:
1 dinar, 2 dinar, 5 dinar, 10 dinar, 20 dinar, 50 dinar
Banknotes:
100 dinar, 200 dinar, 500 dinar, 1000 dinar, 2000 dinar
Central bank:
Bank of Algeria

History

The French Franc became legal tender in Algeria in 1830. The Banque de l’Algerie was established on November 1, 1851 and had the monopoly right of issue of banknotes in Algeria. The French introduced the French Franc Germinal, allowing both French Francs (FRG) and banknotes issued by the Banque de l’Algerie (DZG) to circulate. The Franc was divisible into 100 Centimes. Most coins were French, but a few coins were struck for Algeria after the war.

Algeria went off the Gold Standard on June 30, 1937 and introduced exchange controls on September 10, 1939. On July 2, 1959, French and Algerian Francs were made legal tender in both countries. The Franc Nouveaux (FRF) replaced the Franc Germinal on January 1, 1960. The Banque de l’Algerie became the Banque de l’Algerie et de la Tunisie on January 12, 1949, issuing banknotes for both Algeria and Tunisia. When Tunisia gained its own central bank, the Banque de l’Algerie was reborn on November 3, 1958. Initially, the Banque Centrale d’Algerie, established on January 1, 1963, issued its own Algerian Franc (DZF), but this was replaced with the Algerian Dinar (DZD) on April 1, 1964. The Dinar is divisible into 100 Centimes.

Banknotes were issued by the Banque de l’Algerie beginning in 1852. The Banque de l’Algerie was the bank of issue under the French, the Vichy government and the Allies. The Banque de l’Algerie et de Tunisie took over the right to issue banknotes between 1940 and 1958. The Banque de l’'Algerie issued banknotes between 1946 and 1964, and the Banque Centrale d’Algerie has issued banknotes since Algeria gained its independence.

The dinar was introduced in 1964, 1 April, replacing the Algerian new franc at par. The name „dinar” is ultimately derived from the Roman denarius.


Coins

In 1964, coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 santeem, and 1 dinar were introduced, with the 1, 2 and 5 santeem struck in aluminum, the 10, 20 and 50 santeem in aluminum bronze and the 1 dinar in cupro-nickel. The obverses showed the emblem of Algeria, while the reverses carried the values in Eastern Arabic numerals. In later decades, coins were issued sporadically with various commemorative subjects. However, the 1 and 2 santeem were not struck again, whilst the 5, 10 and 20 santeem were last struck in the 1980s.

In 1992, a new series of coins was introduced consisting of ¼, ½, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dinar. The 10, 20, 50 and 100 dinar coins are bimetallic.

Coins in general circulation are 5 dinar and higher. Following the massive inflation which accompanied the slow transition to a more capitalist economy during the late 1990s, the santeem and fractional dinar coins have dropped out of general circulation, whilst the 1 and 2 dinar coins are rarely used, as prices are rounded to the nearest 5 dinar. Nonetheless, prices are typically quoted in santeem in everyday speech; thus a price of 100 dinar is read as „ten thousand”.


Banknotes

The first series of dinar banknotes issued in 1964 consisted of 5, 10, 50 and 100 dinar denominations. In 1970 500 dinar notes were added, followed by 1000 dinar in 1992. The 100 dinar banknote is being replaced by coins. 200, 500, and 1000 dinar notes are in circulation. The 1998 dated 500 and 1000 dinar notes have an additional vertical holographic strip on obverse.


DZD banknotes pictures gallery


100 Algerian dinar
Banknote of 100 Algerian dinar has dimensions 130×72 mm and main colors are pale aqua, air force blue, lavender mist and pale cerulean.
100 Algerian dinar (Obverse)
Obverse side of the 100 Algerian dinar is showing the charging arab horse riders with sabers in a seal and Algerian navy in a battle.
100 Algerian dinar (Reverse)
Reverse side of the 100 Algerian dinar is showing the pre-colonial invasion: Battle of El Harrach (1775) victory of the Algerian horse riders over the invading Spanish.

200 Algerian dinar
Banknote of 200 Algerian dinar has dimensions 141×71 mm and main colors are pearl, almond, pale silver and pale taupe.
200 Algerian dinar (Obverse)
Obverse side of the 200 Algerian dinar is showing the decorative Koranic motifs and symbols, mosque, olive and fig branches.
200 Algerian dinar (Reverse)
Reverse side of the 200 Algerian dinar is showing the period Islam Introduced: Traditional Koranic school and Kalam.

500 Algerian dinar
Banknote of 500 Algerian dinar has dimensions 150×71 mm and main colors are mountbatten pink, timberwolf, puce and old lavender.
500 Algerian dinar (Obverse)
Obverse side of the 500 Algerian dinar is showing the romans fighting in a seal, a roman tomb in Tipaza, a hot water fall in Hammam Debagh, Guelma Province.
500 Algerian dinar (Reverse)
Reverse side of the 500 Algerian dinar is showing the numidian period: battle on elephants between Numidians and invading Romans.

1000 Algerian dinar
Banknote of 1000 Algerian dinar has dimensions 162×72 mm and main colors are caput mortuum, dim gray, anti-flash white and rosy brown.
1000 Algerian dinar (Obverse)
Obverse side of the 1000 Algerian dinar is showing the prehistory of Algeria: a buffalo, paintings at Tassili n’Ajjer.
1000 Algerian dinar (Reverse)
Reverse side of the 1000 Algerian dinar is showing the more paintings from the Tassili and the hoggar.

2000 Algerian dinar
Banknote of 2000 Algerian dinar has dimensions 160×70 mm and main colors are ash grey, lavender mist, bubbles and isabelline.
2000 Algerian dinar (Obverse)
Obverse side of the 2000 Algerian dinar is showing the university professor lecturing students in amphitheater, satellite, double-helix DNA strand, three researchers in scientific laboratory with microscope and beakers.
2000 Algerian dinar (Reverse)
Reverse side of the 2000 Algerian dinar is showing a wheat, a palm tree, a body of water, an urban high-rise buildings and an olive tree.




Useful links

About Bank of Algeria:
Bank of Algeria
List of currencies:
Currencies
Security and design features of DZD banknotes:
DZD banknotes
DZD currency on Wikipedia:
Algerian dinar
Official Website of Bank of Algeria:
www.bank-of-algeria.dz
Commemorative coins:
Commemorative Coins