Bolivian boliviano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bolivian boliviano
[[Image:|126px|]] 10 centavos to 5 bolivianos
ISO 4217 Code	BOB
User(s)	Bolivia
Inflation	4.3%
Source	The World Factbook, 2009 est.
Subunit
1⁄100	centavo
Symbol	Bs
centavo	c.
Coins	c.10, 20, 50; Bs1, 2, 5
Banknotes	Bs10, 20, 50, 100, 200

The boliviano (symbol: Bs) is the official money used in Bolivia. It is split into 100 smaller parts called centavos. The name "boliviano" was also used for Bolivia's money a long time ago, from 1864 to 1963.

In 2018, the Central Bank of Bolivia started releasing a new series of banknotes. These new notes have won awards for being secure, looking good, and featuring important people from Bolivian history.

History of Bolivian Money

Before the current boliviano, Bolivia used different types of money. Here's a quick look:

• The Spanish real: Used from the 1500s to the 1800s.
• The Bolivian sol: Used from 1827 to 1864.
• The first boliviano: Used from 1864 to 1963. It was divided into 100 centavos.
• The peso boliviano: Used from 1963 to 1986.

The current boliviano, sometimes called the "second boliviano," was introduced in 1987. It replaced the peso boliviano at a rate of 1 boliviano for every 1,000,000 pesos bolivianos. This change happened because the old money had lost a lot of its value due to very high inflation.

The Second Boliviano: Coins and Banknotes

The second boliviano was created to help stabilize Bolivia's economy. When it was first introduced, 1 new boliviano was worth about half a U.S. dollar.

Boliviano Coins

Coins were first introduced in 1988. They came in values of 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 centavos, and 1 boliviano. A 2 boliviano coin was added in 1991, and a 5 boliviano coin in 2001.

Some older coins, like the 2 and 5 centavo coins, are not used much anymore. The 2 boliviano coin has been made in two different sizes, but both are still valid. It's easy to tell them apart from the 1 boliviano coin because the 2 boliviano coin has 11 sides, while the 1 boliviano coin is round.

All Bolivian coins have the phrase "La union es la Fuerza" (which means "Union is strength") on one side. Older coins show the Coat of arms of Bolivia and say "Republica de Bolivia" (Republic of Bolivia). Newer coins also show the coat of arms but say "Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia" (Plurinational State of Bolivia).

Coins of the Boliviano (older series)

Obverse	Reverse	Value	Technical parameters				Description		Date of issue
			Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
		2 centavos	14 mm	1 g	Stainless steel	Plain	"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "2 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue	"REPUBLICA DE BOLIVIA" (REPUBLIC OF BOLIVIA); Coat of arms of Bolivia	1987
		5 centavos	17 mm	1.5 g			"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "5 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue		1987
		10 centavos	19 mm	2.2 g			"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "10 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue		1987-1997
				2.23 g	Copper plated steel				1997
				1.85 g					2001-2008
		20 centavos	22 mm	3.66 g	Stainless steel		"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "20 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue		1987-2008
		50 centavos	24 mm	3.8 g			"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "50 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue		1987-2008
		1 boliviano	27 mm	5 g			"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "1 BOLIVIANO"; Date of issue		1987-2008
		2 bolivianos	27 mm	6.25 g			"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "2 BOLIVIANOS"; Date of issue		1991
			29 mm	6.4 g					1995-2008
		5 bolivianos	23 mm	5 g	Bi-metallic: bronze plated steel center with a stainless steel ring	Reeded	"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "5 BOLIVIANOS"; Date of issue		2001-2004

Coins of the Boliviano (current series)

Obverse	Reverse	Value	Technical parameters				Description		Date of issue
			Diameter	Mass	Composition	Edge	Obverse	Reverse
		10 centavos	19 mm	2.2 g	Steel	Plain	"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "10 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue	"ESTADO PLURINACIONAL DE BOLIVIA" (PLURINATIONAL STATE OF BOLIVIA); Coat of arms of Bolivia	2017
		20 centavos	22 mm	3.25 g	Nickel plated steel		"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "20 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue		2010-2016
		50 centavos	24 mm	3.75 g	Stainless steel		"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "50 CENTAVOS"; Date of issue		2010-2012
		1 boliviano	27 mm	5 g			"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "1 BOLIVIANO"; Date of issue		2010-2017
		2 bolivianos	29 mm	7 g			"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "2 BOLIVIANOS"; Date of issue		2010-2017
		5 bolivianos	23 mm	5 g	Bi-metallic coin consisting of a Bronze-plated steel center plug with a Stainless steel outer ring	Reeded	"LA UNIÓN ES LA FUERZA"; "5 BOLIVIANOS"; Date of issue		2017

Boliviano Banknotes

New family banknotes of Plurinational State of Bolivia

In 1987, new banknotes were released in values of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 bolivianos. The 2 and 5 boliviano notes were later replaced by coins.

The banknotes feature important figures and landmarks of Bolivia:

• The 10 bolivianos note shows painter Cecilio Guzman and the city of Cochabamba.
• The 20 bolivianos note features lawyer Pantaleon Dalence and The Golden Colonial House of Tarija.
• The 50 bolivianos note has painter Melchor Perez and the Tower of the Church of the Society of Jesus in Potosí.
• The 100 bolivianos note shows historian Gabriel Rene Moreno and the University of Saint Francisco Xavier of Chuquisaca in Sucre.
• The 200 bolivianos note features writer Franz Tamayo and the ruins of Tihuanaco near Lake Titicaca.

In 2018, the Central Bank of Bolivia started issuing a brand new series of banknotes. These new notes are the first to use Bolivia's full official name, "Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia" (meaning "Plurinational State of Bolivia"). This name shows that Bolivia is a country with many different cultures.

How Boliviano Exchange Rates Work

The Central Bank of Bolivia usually keeps the boliviano's value stable against the United States dollar. For many years, they have set the price at about 6.86 bolivianos to buy 1 US dollar and 6.96 bolivianos to sell 1 US dollar.

However, sometimes there can be a shortage of US dollars in Bolivia. When this happens, you might find a "parallel" or unofficial exchange rate on the streets. For example, in 2023, the unofficial rate for 1 US dollar went up to 8.90 bolivianos. Even so, the Central Bank of Bolivia still offers dollars at the official price in their offices.

Where Bolivian Money is Made

Even though Bolivia has been an independent country since 1825, its coins and banknotes are still made in other countries. These include places like the United Kingdom, France, and Chile.

Long ago, Bolivia had one of the most important mints (places where coins are made) during the colonial era, in Potosí. But over time, Bolivia stopped making its own money. This was partly because it was thought to be cheaper to have coins and banknotes produced by other countries.