TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Following the adoption of gold as a medium of exchange, humans began to utilize money as a means of transaction, thereby prompting the emergence of currency as early as the 7th century BC. But have you ever wondered which currencies have withstood the test of time?
In this article, we will explore some of the oldest currencies in the world that are still in use today, citing Visual Capitalist, Investopedia, and other sources. From the British Pound to the Japanese Yen, let’s learn more about these ancient banknotes.
1. British Pound
According to Visual Capitalist, the British pound, often referred to as “sterling”, is regarded as the oldest currency in the world. The pound’s official adoption as the currency of the United Kingdom occurred in 1707, marking the unification of England and Scotland into a single country.
However, keep in mind that its historical usage as money can be traced back to the 8th century, notably to the year 760, according to Investopedia.
2. Serbian Dinar
The Serbian dinar traces its roots back to 1214. Though Serbia has faced numerous challenges, from invasions to economic turmoil, the so-called “din” has demonstrated resilience and continues to be a relevant currency in the country.
3. Russian Ruble
The ruble has been in circulation since the 13th century, making it one of the oldest currencies in the world. The exchange rate of the ruble is often influenced by global oil prices and economic sanctions.
4. U.S. Dollar
The U.S. dollar has a rich history dating back to 1785. Its creation was inspired by the Spanish dollar and now serves as the international reserve currency. CFR revealed that the U.S. dollar’s dominance in global trade is attributable to several factors, including its stable value and the U.S. robust economy.
5. Haitian Gourde
The Haitian gourde is one of the oldest currencies in the world, introduced in 1813. At that time, the gourde was introduced as the legal tender in place of the livre, a symbolic gesture that represented Haiti’s transition from a French colony to an independent nation.
6. Falkland Islands Pound
Despite its independence in 1833, the Falkland Islands have maintained the pound as their official currency, which is pegged to the pound sterling at the same rate. The islands’ pound’s first banknotes were issued in 1899, says Banknote World.
7. Dominican Peso
The peso serves as the legal tender in the Dominican Republic. Following the country’s independence from Haiti in 1844, the same year witnessed the initial circulation of the currency, which later would be managed and issued by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic.
8. Swiss Franc
The history of the Swiss franc dates back to 1850, before which people used fat men, horses, or cornutos as a medium of exchange, as revealed by the Swiss National Museum. It is worth mentioning that the term “franc” was adopted from French coins that were named after the French king’s title “King of the Franks,” FRANCORVM REX.
9. Canadian Dollar
With a history dating back to 1858, the official currency of Canada is the Canadian dollar, which replaced the previously used Canadian pound. Also known as the loonie, the Canadian dollars are minted at the Royal Canadian Mint.
10. Japanese Yen
The Japanese yen has been in use since 1871. Aside from being one of the oldest currencies in the world, the yen is the world’s third-most traded currency, coming in after the U.S. dollar and the euro.
VISUAL CAPITALIST | INVESTOPEDIA | BANKNOTE WORLD | SWISS NATIONAL MUSEUM
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