Lesotho loti facts for kids
The Loti (plural: Maloti) is the currency of the Kingdom of Lesotho. It is divided into 100 smaller units called lisente (one is called a sente).
The Loti is linked to the South African rand at a 1:1 value. This means one Loti is always worth one South African rand. Both currencies can be used as official money in Lesotho.
The Loti was first created in 1966, but it wasn't used by everyone until 1980. That's when Lesotho started making its own Loti coins and banknotes to slowly replace the South African rand. But don't worry, the rand is still accepted there!
The name Loti comes from the Sesotho word for "mountain." The name sente comes from the English word "cent".
Quick facts for kids Lesotho loti |
|
|---|---|
| ISO 4217 Code | LSL |
| User(s) |  Lesotho (alongside South African rand) |
| Inflation | 6.8% |
| Source | Central Bank of Lesotho, August 2006 |
| Method | CPI |
| Pegged with | South African rand at par |
| Subunit | |
| 1⁄100 | sente |
| Symbol | L |
| Plural | maloti |
| sente | lisente |
| Coins | 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 lisente, L1, M2, M5 |
| Banknotes | M10, M20, M50, M100, M200 |
Coins of Lesotho
Lesotho started making its own coins in 1980. These first coins included values like 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 lisente, and 1 loti. Later, in 1996, bigger coins for 2 and 5 maloti were added. A 20 lisente coin was also introduced in 1998.
Today, you can find these coins in circulation:
- 5 lisente
- 10 lisente
- 20 lisente
- 50 lisente
- 1 loti
- 2 maloti
- 5 maloti
Banknotes of Lesotho
The first Loti banknotes were printed in 1979 and released in January 1980. These notes came in 2, 5, and 10 maloti values. In 1981, 20 and 50 maloti notes were added. Even larger notes, 100 and 200 maloti, came out in 1994.
On March 1, 2011, the Central Bank of Lesotho released a new series of banknotes. These new notes were designed to help stop fake money from being made. They feature portraits of three important royal family members: the current king, His Majesty Letsie III, is in the middle. His father, King Moshoeshoe II, is on the left, and the founder of the Basotho nation, King Moshoeshoe I, is on the right.
In 2021, the Central Bank of Lesotho updated the banknotes again. These new notes are similar to the 2010 series but are a bit smaller. They have new safety features, including special textures for people who can't see well. They also have a special coating that helps protect them from germs and dirt.
| 2011 Series | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | Size | Main Color | What's on the note? | Year printed | First used | Hidden image | |
| Front | Back | ||||||
| 10 maloti | 130 x 70 mm | Red and Yellow | Mokorotlo hat; King Moshoeshoe II, King Letsie III, and King Moshoeshoe I; Lesotho coat of arms | Cosmos flowers | 2010 | March 1, 2011 | Lesotho coat of arms and the number 10 |
| 20 maloti | 135 x 70 mm | Purple and light blue | Mokorotlo hat; King Moshoeshoe II, King Letsie III, and King Moshoeshoe I; Lesotho coat of arms | Basotho huts (traditional homes) | 2010 | March 1, 2011 | Lesotho coat of arms and the number 20 |
| 50 maloti | 138 x 70 mm | Violet | Mokorotlo hat; King Moshoeshoe II, King Letsie III, and King Moshoeshoe I; Lesotho coat of arms | Men riding horses | 2010 | March 1, 2011 | Lesotho coat of arms and the number 50 |
| 100 maloti | 140 x 70 mm | Green | Mokorotlo hat; King Moshoeshoe II, King Letsie III, and King Moshoeshoe I; Lesotho coat of arms | A shepherd with his sheep | 2010 | March 1, 2011 | Lesotho coat of arms and the number 100 |
| 200 maloti | 145 x 70 mm | Orange | Mokorotlo hat; King Moshoeshoe II, King Letsie III, and King Moshoeshoe I; Lesotho coat of arms | A man riding a horse | 2015 | April 1, 2016 | King Moshoeshoe I in a top hat, the number 200 with a Basotho hat, and Cornerstones |
See also
- Economy of Lesotho
