Gambian dalasi

The dalasi is the currency of the Gambia that was adopted in 1971. It is subdivided into 100 bututs. It replaced the Gambian pound at a rate of 1 pound = 5 dalasis, i.e. 1 dalasi = 0.2 pound = 4 shillings.

Gambian dalasi
25 dalasi note and coins from 5 bututs to 1 dalasi
ISO 4217
Code	GMD
Denominations
Superunit
5	pound
Subunit
1/100	butut
Plural	dalasis or dalasi
butut	bututs
Symbol	D
Banknotes	5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, 200 dalasis
Coins	1, 5, 10, 25, 50 bututs, 1 dalasi
Demographics
User(s)	The Gambia
Issuance
Central bank	Central Bank of The Gambia
Website	www.cbg.gm
Valuation
Inflation	6%
Source	The World Factbook, 2013 est.

The name derives from dala, a nickname of the 5 French West African franc note, which in turn derived from "dollar"[1], while butut is from Wolof butuut, "small thing".[2]

As a result of inflation, now bututs coins have completely disappeared from circulation and the minimum monetary unit has become 1 dalasi.

Coins

See also; Coins of the Gambian dalasi

5, 10, 25, 50 bututs coins

In 1971, coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 bututs and 1 dalasi were introduced. The 1 and 5 bututs were struck in bronze while the 10 bututs were brass and the 25, 50 bututs and 1 dalasi were cupro-nickel. The reverse designs of the three higher denominations were taken from the corresponding denominations of the previous currency (1, 2 and 4 shillings), with the reverse designs for the lower three coins coming from the 6, 1 and 3 pence coins, respectively. All coins of this series depict former president, Sir Dawda Jawara.

New 1 dalasi coins were introduced in 1987, modeled on the 50 pence coin of the United Kingdom. These replaced the larger, round dalasi coins which never saw its widespread use as the lower denominations.

In 1998, a new coin series was introduced, in which the effigy of Dawda Jawara was dropped and replaced with the national coat of arms on the obverses. However, older Jawara era coins still commonly circulate as legal tender. The 1 dalasi coin was also downsized in size and weight, but none of the other coins were changed. Only 25 and 50 bututs and 1 dalasi coins are currently in circulation, they are of the 1998 issue which also included 1, 5 and 10 bututs coins but have since disappeared due to their low value.

According to the situation for 2019, bututs coins have completely disappeared due to their low value, the minimum monetary unit has become 1 dalasi.

Banknotes

See also; Banknotes of the Gambian dalasi

Banknotes currently in circulation are 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100, and 200 dalasis. 1 dalasi notes were issued between 1971 and 1987. Current banknotes were first issued on 27 July 1996, then reprinted in 2001. On 27 July 2006, the Central Bank of the Gambia issued a new series of notes with images similar to the preceding issues, but with improvements in their designs, paper thickness, and security features. Most noticeably, the old white borders have been removed, giving the notes full printing of its main colors. Furthermore, the 5 and 10 Dalasis are coated with a special varnish to extend circulation life. Finally, the security features of the 100 Dalasis have been upgraded by the inclusion of a silver foil on the front of the note with the image of 100 embossed into the foil.[3]

A polymer commemorative 20 Dalasis was put into circulation to commemorate 20 years of Progress and Self-Reliance under Yahya Jammeh's dictatorship.

On April 15, 2015, the Central Bank of the Gambia released a new family of banknotes that includes two new denominations, a 20 dalasis note to replace the 25 Dalasis note and a 200 dalasis note, twice the value of the previously highest denomination. All of the notes feature a portrait of the former President of the Gambia, Yahya Jammeh.[4]

In February 2018, a new series of banknotes believed to be a reprinting of the 2006-13 issues, but with a new signature combination, will be released as an interim measure to replace notes with the portrait of former President of the Gambia Yahya Jammeh. The notes bearing his image will be removed from circulation.[5]

A whole new series is being released during June 2019.[6]

Banknotes of the Gambian dalasi (2006-2014 "Full Printing" issues)
Image		Value	Main Color	Description		Date of issue
Obverse	Reverse			Obverse	Reverse
		5 Dalasis	Red	Giant kingfisher; Gambian girl	Cattle	2006
		10 Dalasis	Green	Sacred ibis; Gambian boy	Central Bank of The Gambia headquarters, Banjul	2006
		25 Dalasis	Blue	Carmine bee eater; Gambian man	Government House, Banjul	2006
		50 Dalasis	Light purple	Hoopoe birds; Gambian woman	Wassu stone circles	2006
		100 Dalasis	Cyan	Senegal parrot, older Gambian man	Arch 22 monument, Banjul	2006

Banknotes of the Gambian dalasi (2015 "Yahya Jammeh" issue)
Image		Value	Main Color	Description		Date of issue
Obverse	Reverse			Obverse	Reverse
		5 Dalasis	Red	Giant kingfisher; President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (formerly Yahya Alphonse Jemus Jebulai Jammeh)	Cattle	2015
		10 Dalasis	Green	Sacred ibis; President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (formerly Yahya Alphonse Jemus Jebulai Jammeh)	Central Bank of The Gambia headquarters, Banjul	2015
		20 Dalasis	Blue	Carmine bee eater; President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (formerly Yahya Alphonse Jemus Jebulai Jammeh)	Government House, Banjul	2015
		50 Dalasis	Light purple	Hoopoe birds; President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (formerly Yahya Alphonse Jemus Jebulai Jammeh)	Wassu stone circles	2015
		100 Dalasis	Cyan	Senegal parrot, President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (formerly Yahya Alphonse Jemus Jebulai Jammeh)	Arch 22 monument, Banjul	2015
		200 Dalasis	Light brown	President Sheikh Professor Alhaji Dr. Yahya Abdul-Aziz Jemus Junkung Jammeh (formerly Yahya Alphonse Jemus Jebulai Jammeh)	Banjul International Airport	2015

Banknotes of the Gambian dalasi (2019 "Birds" issues)
Image		Value	Main Color	Description		Date of issue
Obverse	Reverse			Obverse	Reverse
		5 Dalasis	Red	Giant kingfisher; Coat of arms of the Gambia	Cattle	2019
		10 Dalasis	Green	Birds; Coat of arms of the Gambia	Ferry "Kinta Kinteh"	2019
		20 Dalasis	Blue	Birds; Coat of arms of the Gambia	Agricultural machine	2019
		50 Dalasis	Purple	Birds; Coat of arms of the Gambia	Wassu stone circles	2019
		100 Dalasis	Cyan	Crowned cranes; Coat of arms of the Gambia	Fishermen	2019
		200 Dalasis	Yellow	Birds; Coat of arms of the Gambia	Planting rice	2019

Commemorative banknotes

1 Dalasi (1978) - opening of the Central Bank of The Gambia's building in Banjul.

20 Dalasis (2014) - 20 Years of Progress and Self-Reliance under the dictatorship of Yahya Jammeh.

• 
  Obverse of the 10 and 25 dalasis notes.
• 
  Reverse of the 10 and 25 dalasis notes.
• 
  Obverse of the 5 and 100 dalasis notes.
• 
  Reverse of the 5 and 100 dalasis notes.
• 
  A 50 dalasis note issued by the Central Bank of the Gambia.

Current GMD exchange rates
From Google Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY USD
From Yahoo! Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY USD
From XE.com:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY USD
From OANDA:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY USD
From fxtop.com:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD INR CNY USD

See also

• Economy of the Gambia

References

1. "Definition of DALASI". www.merriam-webster.com.
2. "Definition of BUTUT". www.merriam-webster.com.
3. Linzmayer, Owen (2012). "Gambia". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: www.BanknoteNews.com.
4. Gambia new dalasi note family confirmed BanknoteNews.com. April 26, 2015. Retrieved on 2015-04-27.
5. "Central Bank to replace Jammeh's face on currency - The Point Newspaper, Banjul, The Gambia". thepoint.gm.
6. "Central Bank removes Jammeh's portrait on new dalasi notes — Gambiana". gambiana.com. Retrieved October 19, 2019.

External links

• Central Bank of The Gambia