South Sudanese pound facts for kids
Quick facts for kids South Sudanese pound |
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| ISO 4217 Code | SSP | ||
| User(s) |  South Sudan |
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| Inflation | 40.2% | ||
| Source | IMF (2023) | ||
| Method | CPI | ||
| Subunit | |||
| 1⁄100 | Piaster | ||
| Coins | SSP 0.10, SSP 0.20, SSP 0.50, SSP 1, and SSP 2 | ||
| Banknotes | SSP 1, SSP 5, SSP 10, SSP 20, SSP 25, SSP 50, SSP 100, SSP 500, and SSP 1,000 | ||
The South Sudanese pound (its official code is SSP) is the money used in the country of South Sudan. It is split into 100 smaller parts called piasters. This money was approved by the government of Southern Sudan before it became an independent country on July 9, 2011.
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The South Sudanese pound started being used on July 18, 2011. It took the place of the old Sudanese pound at the same value. By September 1, 2011, the Sudanese pound was no longer valid money in South Sudan.
On October 8, 2020, South Sudan announced it would change its money soon. This was because the South Sudanese pound was quickly losing value compared to the United States dollar.
Banknotes: What They Look Like
The paper money, or banknotes, of South Sudan show a picture of John Garang de Mabior. He was an important leader in South Sudan's fight for independence.
At first, six different values of banknotes were planned: SSP 1, SSP 5, SSP 10, SSP 25, SSP 50, SSP 100, and SSP 500. Coins were also planned for smaller values.
New banknotes for SSP 0.05, SSP 0.10, and SSP 0.25 were released on October 19, 2011.
The first coins for SSP 0.10, SSP 0.20, and SSP 0.50 came out on July 9, 2015. This was on the fourth birthday of South Sudan's independence.
In 2016, the Bank of South Sudan made a SSP 20 banknote. It replaced the SSP 25 note. Later, in 2018, a SSP 500 banknote was made. This helped people with daily shopping because prices had gone up a lot.
To make things less confusing, a SSP 1 coin was made to replace the SSP 1 banknote. A SSP 2 coin was also released. The SSP 10, SSP 20, and SSP 100 notes were also given new designs.
In November 2016, the head of the Bank of South Sudan said that reports about new SSP 200, SSP 500, and SSP 1,000 notes were false.
However, in February 2021, the Bank of South Sudan did release a SSP 1,000 banknote. This was to help with rising prices and money problems. This maroon-colored note shows John Garang on the front. On the back, it has a picture of two ostriches.
| Banknotes of the South Sudanese pound | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Images | Value | Front Side | Back Side | Special Mark |
| [1] | SSP 0.05 | Dr. John Garang de Mabior | Ostrich | The Flag of South Sudan repeated, and Dr. John Garang de Mabior on the right |
| [2] | SSP 0.10 | Kudu (an antelope) | ||
| [3] | SSP 0.25 | River Nile | ||
| [4] | SSP 1 | Giraffes | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 1 | |
| [5] | SSP 5 | Sanga cattle | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 5 | |
| [6] | SSP 10 | Buffaloes; pineapple | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 10 | |
| [7] | SSP 20 | Oryx antelopes; oil derrick | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 20 | |
| [8] | SSP 50 | Elephants | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 50 | |
| [9] | SSP 100 | Lion; waterfall | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 100 | |
| [10] | SSP 500 | River Nile | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 500 | |
| [11] | SSP 1,000 | Ostriches | Dr. John Garang de Mabior and a number 1000 | |
Coins: Small Change
Coins for SSP 0.10, SSP 0.20, and SSP 0.50 began to be used on July 9, 2015. This day is South Sudan's Independence Day. As of 2016, South Sudan's coins were made at the South African Mint.
Coins made of two different metals, for SSP 1 and SSP 2, were put into use in 2016.
The front side of the coins shows the Coat of arms of South Sudan. It also has the country's name, 'REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN', and the date. Here's what you can find on the different coins:
- SSP 0.10 - Made of copper-plated steel - Shows an oil rig.
- SSP 0.20 - Made of brass-plated steel - Shows a Shoebill stork.
- SSP 0.50 - Made of nickel-plated steel - Shows a Northern white rhino.
- SSP 1 - Has a bronze-plated steel center and a nickel-plated steel ring - Shows a Nubian giraffe.
- SSP 2 - Has a nickel-plated steel center and a bronze-plated steel ring - Shows an African Shield.
Exchange Rates: How Much is it Worth?
When the South Sudanese pound first came out in 2011, you could get SSP 2.75 for one US dollar. By August 20, 2024, the official exchange rate was SSP 2290.94 for one US dollar. However, on the unofficial market, you might get SSP 4850 for one US dollar.
