Swazi lilangeni

Infobox Currency
image_1 = 629px-Swaziland-1Lilangeni.jpg
image_title_1 = 1 lilangeni
image_2 = Coins-of-swaziland.jpg
image_title_2 = Swazi coins
iso_code = SZL
using_countries = flag|Swaziland
inflation_rate = 12.5%
inflation_source_date = [http://www.centralbank.org.sz/ Central Bank of Swaziland] , June 2008
pegged_with = South African rand at par
subunit_ratio_1 = 1/100
subunit_name_1 = cent
symbol = L or E (pl.)
plural = emalangeni
used_coins = 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, L1, E2, E5
used_banknotes = E10, E20, E50, E100, E200
issuing_authority = Central Bank of Swaziland
issuing_authority_website = www.centralbank.org.sz

The lilangeni (plural: emalangeni, ISO 4217 code: "SZL") is the currency of Swaziland and is subdivided into 100 cents. The South African rand is also accepted in Swaziland and it is issued by the Central Bank of Swaziland (in swazi "Umntsholi Wemaswati"). Perhaps unusually, there are singular and plural "abbreviations", namely L and E, so where one might have an amount L1, it would be E2, E3, or E4.

History

It was introduced in 1974 at par with the South African rand through the Common Monetary Area, to which it remains tied at a one-to-one exchange rate.

Coins

In 1974, coins for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 lilangeni were introduced, with the 1 and 2 cents struck in bronze and the others struck in cupro-nickel. Except for the 1 lilangeni, the coins were not round, with the 1 and 50 cents dodecagonal, the 2 cents square with rounded corners and the 5, 10 and 20 cents scalloped.

The 2 cents was last struck in 1982, whilst, in 1986, round, copper-plated steel 1 cent and nickel-brass 1 lilangeni coins were introduced. These were followed, in 1992, by nickel-plated-steel 5 and 10 cents and nickel-brass-plated-steel 1 lilangeni coins. In 1995, 2 and 5 emalangeni coins were introduced.

Banknotes

In 1974, the Monetary Authority of Swaziland introduced notes in denominations of 1 lilangeni, 2, 5 and 10 emalangeni, with 20 emalangeni notes following in 1978. In 1981, the Central Bank of Swaziland took over paper money production, first issuing notes commemorating the Diamond Jubilee of King Sobhuza II. Between 1892 and 1985, it introduced non-commemorative notes for E2, E5, E10, and E20. The 50 emalangeni notes were introduced in 1990. The E2 and E5 notes were replaced by coins in 1995, whilst 100 and 200 emalangeni notes were introduced in 1996 and 1998, respectively, with the E200 notes commemorating the 30th anniversary of independence.

ee also

* Economy of Swaziland

References

*numis cite SCWC | date=1991
*numis cite SCWPM | date=1994

External links

Standard numismatics external links
world_coin_gallery_1_url = Swaziland
world_coin_gallery_1_name = Swaziland
banknote_world_1_url = swaziland
banknote_world_1_name = Swaziland
dollarization_1_url = sz
dollarization_1_name = Swaziland
gfd_1_url = Swaziland
gfd_1_name = Swaziland
gfd_data_1_url =
gfd_data_1_name =
show_gfd_excel = Y