Map Showing The 10 Countries With The Oldest Currencies Still In Use Today

Map created by Maps.InterludeThe map above shows the 10 countries with the oldest currencies still in use today.

See how much they worth against the US dollar (in lates 2024) below:

Rank	Currency Name	Country	Year Introduced	Value Of 1 To USD
1	Pound sterling	United Kingdom	800	$1.27
2	Serbian dinar	Serbia	1214	$0.009
3	Russian ruble	Russia	14th Century	$0.0099
4	US Dollar	United States	1785	$1
5	Haitian gourde	Haiti	1813	$0.0076
6	Falkland Islands pound	Falkland Islands	1833	$1.27
7	Dominican peso	Dominican Republic	1844	$0.017
8	Swiss franc	Switzerland	1850	$1.13
9	Canadian dollar	Canada	1871	$0.71
10	Japanese Yen	Japan	1871	$0.0066

And here’s a bit more about each currency:

1. Pound Sterling (GBP)

• Introduction: The Pound Sterling is one of the world’s oldest currencies still in use, dating back to Anglo-Saxon England in the 8th century.
• History:
  • The term “pound” originated from the Latin libra, which meant “weight” or “balance.”
  • Initially based on a pound of silver, the currency evolved over centuries, including the adoption of the gold standard in the 19th century.
  • Decimalization in 1971 replaced the old system of pounds, shillings, and pence with a simpler format (100 pence = 1 pound).

2. Serbian Dinar (RSD)

• Introduction: The Serbian dinar’s origins date back to the medieval Serbian state in the 13th century, when silver dinars were minted.
• History:
  • The modern dinar was first introduced in 1873 after Serbia gained independence from the Ottoman Empire.
  • Serbia has undergone multiple currency reforms, particularly during the hyperinflation crisis in the early 1990s following the breakup of Yugoslavia.

3. Russian Ruble (RUB)

• Introduction: The ruble is one of the oldest currencies in the world, dating back to the 13th century.
• History:
  • Originally, the ruble referred to a silver bar used as currency in medieval Russia.
  • It became an official currency during the reign of Peter the Great, and later, the Soviet ruble replaced the imperial ruble.
  • The modern ruble was reintroduced after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.

4. US Dollar (USD)

• Introduction: The Continental Congress resolved in 1785 that the money unit of the United States would be the the US dollar and formerly was established in 1792 by the Coinage Act.
• History:
  • Its design was inspired by the Spanish dollar, widely used in the Americas during the colonial period.
  • The US abandoned the gold standard in 1971, making the dollar a fiat currency.
  • Today, it is the world’s primary reserve currency.

5. Haitian Gourde (HTG)

• Introduction: The Haitian gourde was introduced in 1813.
• History:
  • Named after a French unit of weight, the gourde replaced the colonial livre.
  • Haiti’s history of political and economic instability has led to fluctuations in the currency’s value.
  • The gourde is officially pegged to the US dollar, although its market value often diverges.

6. Falkland Islands Pound (FKP)

• Introduction: The Falkland Islands pound was introduced in 1833.
• History:
  • It is pegged at par to the British pound sterling and shares the same value.
  • The currency is used exclusively in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory.
  • Coins and banknotes unique to the Falklands are issued to reflect local culture and heritage.

7. Dominican Peso (DOP)

• Introduction: The Dominican peso was introduced in 1844 after the Dominican Republic gained independence from Haiti.
• History:
  • Initially, it was pegged to gold, but currency devaluations and reforms followed in the 20th century.
  • Today, the peso is a free-floating currency and one of the oldest continuously circulating currencies in the Americas.

8. Swiss Franc (CHF)

• Introduction: The Swiss franc was introduced in 1850 to unify the multiple currencies used in Switzerland.
• History:
  • Originally tied to silver and gold, the franc became a fiat currency in the 20th century.
  • Known for its stability, the Swiss franc is considered a safe haven during economic uncertainty.
  • It is issued by the Swiss National Bank and used in Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

9. Canadian Dollar (CAD)

• Introduction: The Canadian dollar replaced the Canadian pound in 1858 (in modern Ontario & Quebec), but was not formally adopted by the entire country until 1871.
• History:
  • Canada switched to a decimal system, inspired by the US dollar.
  • Initially tied to the gold standard, the CAD became a free-floating currency in 1970.
  • It is now one of the most traded currencies globally, reflecting Canada’s economic stability.

10. Japanese Yen (JPY)

• Introduction: The yen was introduced in 1871 during the Meiji Restoration to modernize Japan’s economy.
• History:
  • Originally pegged to gold, the yen lost value after World War II but recovered during Japan’s post-war economic boom.
  • Today, it is one of the most traded currencies in the foreign exchange market and a major reserve currency.

Which one is your favourite?