View source for Mauritian rupee

{{Short description|Currency of Mauritius}}
{{Infobox currency
| currency_name_in_local = {{lang|fr|Roupie mauricienne}} {{small|{{no bold|([[French language|French]])}}}}<br />{{lang|mfe|Roupi morisien}} {{small|{{no bold|([[Mauritian Creole|Morisien]])}}}}<br />{{nobold|{{lang|ta|மொரீசியஸ் ரூபாய்}}}} {{small|{{no bold|([[Tamil language|Tamil]])}}}}<br />{{nobold|{{Script|Deva|मॉरिशियाई रुपया}}}} {{small|{{no bold|([[Devanagari script]])}}}}{{efn|Script used for [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]], [[Hindi]], and [[Sanskrit]], among others}}
| iso_code = MUR
| using_countries = {{MUS}}
| image_1 = Mauritian rupees 100.png
| image_title_1 = Rs.&nbsp;100/- note obverse and reverse
| image_2 = Mauritius - 1 Rupee - coin.jpg
| image_title_2 = Re.&nbsp;1/- coin obverse and reverse
| inflation_rate = 4.5%
| inflation_source_date = ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20140726005117/https://www.bom.mu/pdf/Research_and_Publications/Inflation_Survey/Inf_Survey_20130605.pdf Bank in Mauritius]'', November 2023 est.
| subunit_ratio_1 = {{frac|1|100}}
| subunit_name_1 = [[Cent (currency)|cent]]
| unit  = rupee
| plural = 
| symbol = [[Rupee sign|Re/Rs]]<ref>[https://www.bom.mu/ Bank of Mauritius] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061228122322/http://bom.intnet.mu/ |date=2006-12-28 }}.</ref>
| symbol_subunit_1 = [[c]]
| used_coins = 5c, 20c, 50c, Rs.&nbsp;1/-, Rs.&nbsp;5/-, Rs.&nbsp;10/-, Rs.&nbsp;20/-
| used_banknotes = Rs.&nbsp;25/-, Rs.&nbsp;50/-, Rs.&nbsp;100/-, Rs.&nbsp;200/-, Rs.&nbsp;500/-, Rs.&nbsp;1,000/-, Rs.&nbsp;2,000/-
| issuing_authority = [[Board of Commissioners of Currency of Mauritius]] (1849-1967)<br>[[Bank of Mauritius]] (1967-)
| issuing_authority_website = {{URL|www.bom.mu}}
}}
The '''Mauritian rupee''' ([[Currency symbol|sign]]: '''Re''' (singular) and '''Rs''' (plural); [[ISO 4217|ISO code]]: '''MUR'''; {{IPA|mfe|ʁupi|pron}}) is the currency of [[Mauritius]]. One rupee is subdivided into 100 cents. Several other currencies are also called [[rupee]].

==Coins==
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2022}}
In 1877, coins for 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 cents were introduced, with the lower three denominations in copper and the higher two in silver. Coin production ceased in 1899 and did not recommence until 1911, with silver coins not produced again until 1934, when Re.&nbsp;{{frac|1|4}}, Re.&nbsp;{{frac|1|2}} and Re.&nbsp;1/- coins were introduced. In 1947, cupro-nickel 10 cents were introduced, with cupro-nickel replacing silver in 1950.

[[File:Mauritius - 20 cents - coin.jpg|thumb|Mauritian 20c coin]]
In 1971 a new set of coins and banknotes were introduced by the Royal Mint.  This set has [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on the obverse and a range of heraldic motives on the reverse. Some of the reverse designs for this set were designed by [[Christopher Ironside]] OBE including the Rs.&nbsp;10/-, Rs.&nbsp;200/- and Rs.&nbsp;250/- (issued 1988).

In 1987, a new series of coins was introduced which, for the first time, did not feature the portrait of the monarch (Mauritius did not become a republic until 1992) but that of Sir [[Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]]. This coinage consisted of copper-plated-steel 1c and 5c (the 5c was substantially reduced in size), nickel-plated-steel 20c and Re.&nbsp;{{frac|1|2}}, and cupro-nickel Re.&nbsp;1/- and Rs.&nbsp;5/-. Cupro-nickel Rs.&nbsp;10/- were introduced in 1997. Coins currently in circulation are the 5c, 20c, Re.&nbsp;{{frac|1|2}}, Re.&nbsp;1/-, Rs.&nbsp;5/-, Rs.&nbsp;10/- and Rs.&nbsp;20/-. Coins below Re.&nbsp;1/- in value are generally regarded as small-change. The 1c coin has not been seen in circulation for many years, and the last series of 1 cent coins issued in 1987 are only seen as collector's items.

In 2007, a [[Bi-metallic coins|bi-metallic]] Rs.&nbsp;20/- coin was issued to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the [[Bank of Mauritius]], and this has now become a coin in general circulation.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
|+ Current Mauritian rupee coins
|-
! Image !! Value !! Composition !! Diameter !! Mass !! Thickness !! Edge !! Issued
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-copper-color}}
| 
| 1c
| [[Copper]]-plated steel
| 17.8&nbsp;mm
| 2&nbsp;g
| 1.27&nbsp;mm
| Smooth
| 1987
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-copper-color}}
| 
| 5c
| [[Copper]]-plated steel
| 20&nbsp;mm
| 3&nbsp;g
| 1.5&nbsp;mm
| Smooth
| 1987-2017
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| 20c
| [[Nickel]]-plated steel
| 19&nbsp;mm
| 3&nbsp;g
| 1.65&nbsp;mm
| Reeded
| 1987-2016
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| 50c
| [[Nickel]]-plated steel
| 23.6&nbsp;mm
| 5.83&nbsp;g
| 2&nbsp;mm
| Reeded
| 1987-2016
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| Re.&nbsp;1/-
| [[Copper-nickel]]
| 26.5&nbsp;mm
| 7.45&nbsp;g
| 1.8&nbsp;mm
| Reeded
| 1987-2010
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| Re.&nbsp;1/-
| [[Nickel]]-plated steel
| 26.6&nbsp;mm
| 7.5&nbsp;g
| 2.2&nbsp;mm
| Reeded
| 2012-2016
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| Rs.&nbsp;5/-
| [[Copper-nickel]]
| 31&nbsp;mm
| 12.62&nbsp;g
| 2.36&nbsp;mm
| Security
| 1987-2010
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| Rs.&nbsp;5/-
| [[Nickel]]-plated steel
| 31&nbsp;mm
| 12.55&nbsp;g
| 2.8&nbsp;mm
| Security
| 2012-2018
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| Rs.&nbsp;10/-
| [[Copper-nickel]]
| 27.5&nbsp;mm (heptagonal)
| 5.83&nbsp;g
| 2.2&nbsp;mm
| Smooth
| 1997-2000
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-silver-color}}
| 
| Rs.&nbsp;10/-
| [[Nickel]]-plated steel
| 28&nbsp;mm (heptagonal)
| 8.5&nbsp;g
| 2&nbsp;mm
| Smooth
| 2016-2023
|- style="text-align:center"
|- {{Coin-yellow-color}}
| 
| Rs.&nbsp;20/-
| Bi-metallic; [[copper-nickel]] center in [[nickel]]-[[brass]] ring
| 28&nbsp;mm
| 10&nbsp;g
| 
| Reeded
| 2007-2022
|}

==Banknotes==
[[File:10 rupee banknote, Government of Mauritius, 1930. On display at the British Museum in London.jpg|thumb|Rs.&nbsp;10/- banknote, Government of Mauritius, 1930. On display at the British Museum in London]]
The first banknotes were issued by the government dated 1876 in denominations of Rs.&nbsp;5/-, Rs.&nbsp;10/- and Rs.&nbsp;50/-. Re.&nbsp;1/- banknotes were added in 1919. In 1940, emergency issues were made of 25c and 50c and Re.&nbsp;1/-. In 1954, Rs.&nbsp;25/- and Rs.&nbsp;1,000/- were introduced.

The [[Bank of Mauritius]] was established in September 1967 as the nation's central bank and has been responsible for the issue of banknotes and coins since that time.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Linzmayer | first1 = Owen | title = The Banknote Book | chapter = Mauritius | publisher = www.BanknoteNews.com | year = 2012 | location = San Francisco, CA | url = http://www.banknotebook.com}}</ref> The bank issued its first notes in 1967, comprising four denominations: Rs.&nbsp;5/-, Rs.&nbsp;10/-, Rs.&nbsp;25/-, and Rs.&nbsp;50/-, all undated and featuring a portrait of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] on the obverse. Over the years, some denominations were revised with new signatures of the Bank's Governor and managing director but were otherwise unchanged.

{|class="wikitable" 
|+1967 "Elizabeth II" Issue
|-
! Image !! Denomination !! Obverse !! Reverse
|-
|align="center" | [https://www.worldbanknotescoins.com/2012/11/mauritius-banknotes-5-rupees-1967-queen-elizabeth-ii.html]|| Rs.&nbsp;5/- ||rowspan="4"| [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]]|| Monument marking the landing of the Dutch at the bay of Grand Port (1598), sailing boat
|-
| || Rs.&nbsp;10/- ||  Government House, [[Port Louis]]
|-
|align="center" | [https://www.worldbanknotescoins.com/2010/05/mauritius-banknotes-25-rupees-note-1967-queen-elizabeth-ii.html]|| Rs.&nbsp;25/-||[[Bullock cart]]
|-
| || Rs.&nbsp;50/- || [[Port Louis]] Harbour

|}

In 1985, the Bank of Mauritius issued a completely new set of banknotes of Rs.&nbsp;5/-, Rs.&nbsp;10/-, Rs.&nbsp;20/-, Rs.&nbsp;50/-, Rs.&nbsp;100/-, Rs.&nbsp;200/-, Rs.&nbsp;500/- and Rs.&nbsp;1,000/-. A close study of these banknotes reveals an interesting array of subsets which were printed by two banknote printing companies (Bradbury Wilkinson and Thomas de La Rue). The banknotes were also designed at different time periods as there are very few identical and consistent design features appearing on all the denominations. Varying banknote numbering systems, different types of security threads, variations in the design and size of the Mauritian Coat of Arms, different ultraviolet light latent printing, inconsistent variations in the size incrementation between the denominations and multiple different typesets are just a few of the differences. This issue lasted up to 1998.

In 1998, The Bank of Mauritius made a new issue of banknotes consisting of 7 denominations, viz. Rs.&nbsp;25/-, Rs.&nbsp;50/-, Rs.&nbsp;100/-, Rs.&nbsp;200/-, Rs.&nbsp;500/-, Rs.&nbsp;1,000/- and Rs.&nbsp;2,000/-. These banknotes had a standard format and were all issued simultaneously in November 1998. All the banknotes of this issue were printed in England by [[De La Rue|Thomas de la Rue Limited]]. These first banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in June 1999 following controversies due to the ordering of the text (English, Sanskrit, Tamil) as the Tamil population is said to have arrived in Mauritius prior to the North Indian community affiliated with Hindi.

The Bank of Mauritius made its latest issue of banknotes, which is still current, after June 1999.

===Circulating banknotes===
{|class="wikitable" style="margin:auto; font-size:90%; border-width:1px;"
! colspan=9 | Current series (1999)<ref name=BOMPOL>{{cite web |title=Communiqué - Bank of Mauritius |url=https://www.bom.mu/bank-notes-coins/polymer-notes/communique |website=www.bom.mu |publisher=[[Bank of Mauritius]] |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=BOMPAP>{{cite web |title=Security Features 25 - Bank of Mauritius |url=https://www.bom.mu/bank-notes-coins/bank-notes/security-features/security-features-25 |website=www.bom.mu |publisher=[[Bank of Mauritius]] |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref><ref name=BOMUP>{{cite web |title=Communique: Upgraded banknotes with new Security Features for Rs200, Rs500 and Rs1000 denominations |url=https://www.bom.mu/communique-upgraded-banknotes-new-security-features-rs200-rs500-and-rs1000-denominations |website=www.bom.mu |publisher=[[Bank of Mauritius]] |date=10 October 2011 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
|-
! rowspan=2 | Image
! rowspan=2 | Value
! rowspan=2 | Dimensions<br/>(mm)
! rowspan=2 | Substrate
! rowspan=2 colspan=2 | Main<br/>colour
! colspan=2 | Description
! rowspan=2 | Issued<br/>from
|-
! Obverse
! Reverse
|-
| align=center | {{r|BOMPAP}}
| rowspan=2 | Rs 25
| rowspan=2 align=center | 135 × 66
| Paper
| rowspan=2 style="background:#E080E0;"|
| rowspan=2 | Violet
| rowspan=2 | [[Moilin Jean Ah-Chuen]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Rodrigues]]
| 1999
|-
| align=center | <ref name=2550pol>{{cite web |title=Mauritius new 25- and 50-rupee polymer notes (B430a and B431a) confirmed |url=https://banknotenews.com/?p=9819 |website=banknotenews.com |publisher=Banknote News |date=21 September 2013 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
| Polymer
| 22 August 2013
|-
| align=center | {{r|BOMPAP}}
| rowspan=2 | Rs 50
| rowspan=2 align=center | 140 × 68
| Paper
| rowspan=2 style="background:#80C0FF;"|
| rowspan=2 | Blue
| rowspan=2 | [[Joseph Maurice Paturau]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Caudan Waterfront|Le Caudan]]
| 1999
|-
| align=center | {{r|2550pol}}
| Polymer
| 22 August 2013
|-
| align=center | {{r|BOMPAP}}
| rowspan=2 | Rs 100
| rowspan=2 align=center | 145 × 70
| Paper
| rowspan=2 style="background:#FFC080"|
| rowspan=2 | Orange
| rowspan=2 | [[Renganaden Seeneevassen]]
| rowspan=2 | [[Supreme Court of Mauritius|Supreme court]]
| 1999
|-
| align=center | <ref name=100pol>{{cite web |title=Mauritius new 100-rupee polymer note (B432a) confirmed introduced on 20.06.2025 |url=https://banknotenews.com/?p=45535 |website=banknotenews.com |publisher=Banknote News |date=4 December 2024 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
| Polymer
| 20 June 2025
|-
| rowspan=2 align=center | {{r|BOMPAP}}
| rowspan=3 | Rs 200
| rowspan=3 align=center | 150 × 72
| rowspan=2 | Paper
| rowspan=3 style="background:#80C080;"|
| rowspan=3 | Green
| rowspan=3 | [[Sir Abdool Razack Mohamed]]
| rowspan=3 | Market
| 1999
|-
| 14 October 2011{{efn|name=HD|With holographic device.}}
|-
| align=center | <ref name=200pol>{{cite web |title=Mauritius new 200-rupee polymer note (B433a) reported for introduction in 2025 |url=https://banknotenews.com/?p=45539 |website=banknotenews.com |publisher=Banknote News |date=4 December 2024 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
| Polymer
| 18 July 2025
|-
| rowspan=2 align=center | {{r|BOMPAP}}
| rowspan=3 | Rs 500
| rowspan=3 align=center | 155 × 74
| rowspan=2 | Paper
| rowspan=3 style="background:#C0A080;"|
| rowspan=3 | Brown
| rowspan=3 | [[Sookdeo Bissoondoyal]]
| rowspan=3 | [[University of Mauritius]]
| 1999
|-
| 14 October 2011{{efn|name=HD}}
|-
| align=center | <ref name=500pol>{{cite web |title=Mauritius new 500-rupee polymer note (B434a) confirmed |url=https://banknotenews.com/?p=9769 |website=banknotenews.com |publisher=Banknote News |date=29 September 2013 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
| Polymer
| 22 August 2013
|-
| rowspan=2 align=center | {{r|BOMPAP}}
| rowspan=3 | Rs 1000
| rowspan=3 align=center | 160 × 76
| rowspan=2 | Paper
| rowspan=3 style="background:#80E0FF;"|
| rowspan=3 | Cyan
| rowspan=3 | [[Gaëtan Duval|Sir Gaëtan Duval]]
| rowspan=3 | [[State House (Mauritius)|State House]]
| 1999
|-
| 14 October 2011{{efn|name=HD}}
|-
| align=center | <ref name=1000pol>{{cite web |title=Mauritius new 1,000-rupee polymer note (B435a) confirmed introduced 02.12.2024 |url=https://banknotenews.com/?p=45530 |website=banknotenews.com |publisher=Banknote News |date=4 December 2024 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
| Polymer
| 2 December 2024
|-
| align=center | {{r|BOMPAP}}
| rowspan=2 | Rs 2000
| rowspan=2 align=center | 165 × 78
| Paper
| rowspan=2 style="background:#FF8080;"|
| rowspan=2 | Red
| rowspan=2 | [[Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam]]
| rowspan=2 | Ox cart
| 1999
|-
| align=center | <ref name=2000pol>{{cite web |title=Mauritius new 2,000-rupee polymer note (B436a) confirmed
 |url=https://banknotenews.com/?p=1772 |website=banknotenews.com |publisher=Banknote News |date=14 December 2018 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
| Polymer
| 4 December 2018
|-
| colspan=8 | {{Standard banknote table notice|standard_scale=}}
|}

====Obverse designs====

The top of the note says "[[Bank of Mauritius]]". The portrait is toward the center-left of the note and below the portrait is the name of the person in the portrait and their year of birth to year of death. On the bottom-left is the [[coat of arms of Mauritius]]. There is also a drawing of the [[Bank of Mauritius]] building and a portrayal of the statue of justice in the background of each of the denominations in the centre of the note. The value of the note is in the top-right corner with the "Rs" symbol in front the value. Below the value in the top-right corner is a feature to aid the visually impaired. This is in addition to the differences in sizes between the banknotes of various denominations. The left side of the note says the numerical value of the note, with the "Rs" symbol to the left of the value, written sideways left-faced up. On top of the numerical value on the left side is the serial number of the note. The serial number is also on the centre-right of the note. On the top-center of the note is states "This Note Is Legal Tender For", then it states the note's value written out in [[English language|English]] (ex: "One Hundred"), and below that it says "Rupees". Below that it says the value of the note in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], and below that it says the value of the note in [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]. Below that is the signature of the [[Governor of the Bank of Mauritius]] and next to that is the signature of the  managing director, or it could have the signatures of the First Deputy Governor, then the Governor, then the Second Deputy Governor. Below that is the year the note was printed.

====Reverse designs====

The top left of the note on the reverse says "Bank of Mauritius". The left side of the note says the numerical value of the note, with the "Rs" symbol to the left of the value, written sideways left-faced up. The top right of the note has the numerical value of the note with the "Rs" symbol to the left of the value. Each denomination carries a different vignette, depicting various aspects of Mauritius. The [[Devanagari]] script value of the note can be found on the left side of the bottom of the vignette, with the Devanagari abbreviation of rupee, "रु" ("ru") in front of the value. The [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] numerical value of the note can be found on the right side of the bottom of the vignette. The Tamil value is above the Gujarati value.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crnindia.com/currency/mauritian_rupee.html |title=Mauritian Rupee |website=www.crnindia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070828132012/http://www.crnindia.com/currency/mauritian_rupee.html |archive-date=2007-08-28}}</ref>

==Commemorative coins==
{|class="wikitable"
!Value
!Composition and finish
!Mass
!Diameter
!Issue date
!Commemorative subject
|-
| Rs.&nbsp;25/-
| [[Silver]] non-proof || 38.61&nbsp;g || 38.61&nbsp;mm
| April 1978 
| 10th anniversary of the independence of Mauritius 
|-
| Rs.&nbsp;20/-
| Silver proof || 28.28&nbsp;g || 38.61&nbsp;mm
| May 1998 
| 50th anniversary of the wedding of [[Queen Elizabeth II]] and [[Prince Philip]] 
|-
| Rs.&nbsp;1,000/-
| [[Gold]] proof || 17&nbsp;g || 31.00&nbsp;mm
| rowspan="2" |January 2000 
| rowspan="2" | 150th anniversary of the setting up of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce & Industry
|-
| Rs.&nbsp;10/-
| rowspan="2" | Silver proof || 28.28&nbsp;g || 38.60&nbsp;mm
|-
| Rs.&nbsp;100/-|| 36.76&nbsp;g || 44&nbsp;mm
| November 2001 
| Centenary of the arrival of [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in Mauritius 
|}

{{Exchange rate|MUR|EUR|JPY|USD}}

==See also==
* [[Economy of Mauritius]]
* [[Seychellois rupee]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==

{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060304020756/http://www.gov.mu/portal/site/MOFSite Ministry Of Finance and Economic Development] (archived)

{{n-start}}
{{n-before|rowspan=2|currency=[[Indian rupee]], [[Pound sterling|Sterling]], [[Mauritian dollar]]|ratio=both rupees = MU$0.5 or Rs.&nbsp;10/<small>25</small> = £1&nbsp;stg}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Mauritius]]|start=1877}}
{{n-after}}

{{n-currency|location=[[Seychelles]]|start=1877|end=1914}}
{{n-after|currency=[[Seychellois rupee]]|ratio=at par|reason=became a separate [[crown colony]] in 1903}}
{{end}}

{{Economy of Mauritius}}
{{Mauritius topics}}
{{Rupee}}
{{Currencies of Africa}}
{{Portal bar|Africa|Money|Numismatics}}

<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Circulating currencies]]
[[Category:Currencies of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Currencies of Mauritius]]
[[Category:Economy of Mauritius|Rupee, Mauritian]]
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[[Category:Currencies of Africa]]
[[Category:Rupee]]