View source for Somaliland shilling

{{short description|Currency of Somaliland}}
{{Distinguish|Somali shilling}}{{Infobox currency
| local_name = شلن صوماليلاندي
| local_name_lang = ar
| local_name2 = Shilin Somaliland
| local_name_lang2 = so
| iso_code = None
| image_1 = Somaliland Shillings.jpg
| image_title_1 = 500/-, 1,000/- and 5,000/- banknotes
| image_2 = 
| image_title_2 = 1/- coin
| using_countries = {{flag|Somaliland}}
| symbol = Sl.Sh. SLSH, /-
| pegged_with = [[United States dollar|1U.S. dollar]] = ~ 10,000/-
| rarely_used_banknotes = 5/-, 10/-, 20/-, 50/-,
| used_coins = 
| rarely_used_coins = 1/-, 5/-, 10/-, 20/-
| coin_article = Coins of the Somaliland shilling
| used_banknotes = 
| frequently_used_banknotes = 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/-, 5,000/-<ref>[http://banknotenews.com/files35238be8c45cf01ce359b954f6e43814-1935.php Somaliland new 1,000000- and 5,000000-shilling notes confirmed] {{webarchive|url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20120121221015/http://banknotenews.com/files35238be8c45cf01ce359b954f6e43814-1935.php |date=2012-01-21 }} BanknoteNews.com. Retrieved 2012-01-19.</ref>
| banknote_article = Banknotes of the Somaliland shilling
| issuing_authority = [[Bank of Somaliland|Bank of Somaliland (''Baanka Somaliland'')]]
| issuing_authority_website = https://cb.govsomaliland.org/
| footnotes = 
}}

The '''Somaliland shilling''' ({{langx|so|Shillin Somaliland}}, {{langx|ar|شلن صوماليلاندي}}; abbreviation: '''Sl.Sh.''' or '''SLSH'''; symbol: '''[[Slash (punctuation)|/-]]''') is the official currency of the Republic of [[Somaliland]], a [[List of states with limited recognition|partially recognised state]] in the [[Horn of Africa]], recognised by most countries as ''[[de jure]]'' part of [[Somalia]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vickery|first=Matthew|title=The surprising place where cash is going extinct|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20170912-the-surprising-place-where-cash-is-going-extinct|access-date=2021-12-16|website=www.bbc.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Money and Costs in Somaliland|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/somaliland-puntland-and-somalia/somaliland/a/nar-gr/money-and-costs/355607|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Lonely Planet|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Renders|first=Marleen|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IfgxAQAAQBAJ&dq=somaliland+shilling&pg=PA134|title=Consider Somaliland: State-Building with Traditional Leaders and Institutions|date=2012-01-27|publisher=BRILL|isbn=978-90-04-22254-0|pages=134|language=en}}</ref>

==Overview==
{{main|Rupee|East African shilling|British Somaliland}}

The [[shilling]] has been the currency of parts of Somalia since 1921, when the [[East African shilling]] was introduced to the former [[British Somaliland]] [[protectorate]]. Following the 1960 independence and unification of the former territories of [[British Somaliland]] and [[Italian Somaliland]], their respective currencies, the East African shilling and [[somalo]] (which were equal in value) were replaced at par in 1962 by the [[Somali shilling]]. Names used for its denominations were cent (singular: centesimo; plural: centesimi) and سنت (plural: سنتيمات), along with shilling (singular: scellino; plural: scellini) and شلن.

In September 1994, the [[Parliament of Somaliland]] endorsed President [[Muhammad Haji Ibrahim Egal|Egal]]'s plans to introduce a new currency to replace the [[Somali shilling]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Renders |first1=Marleen |title=Consider Somaliland: State-Building with Traditional Leaders and Institutions |date=2012 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-22254-0 |page=134 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IfgxAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA134 |access-date=2 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> The Somaliland shilling was introduced on 18 October 1994 at a rate of Sl.So.&nbsp;1/- to [[Somali shilling|So.Sh.]]&nbsp;100/-. The Somali shilling ceased to be accepted as legal tender in Somaliland on 31 January 1995.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Political Settlements and State Formation: The Case of Somaliland|url=https://www.dlprog.org/publications/research-papers/political-settlements-and-state-formation-the-case-of-somaliland|access-date=2020-07-08|website=www.dlprog.org}}</ref>

The Somaliland shilling is [[Fixed exchange rate system|pegged]] to the [[United States dollar]] at a rate of Sl.Sh.&nbsp;580/<small>12</small> to US$1. Only the 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/- and 5,000/- [[banknote]]s are currently in circulation.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

==Coins==
The Somaliland shilling is nominally divided into 100 cents, but coins denominated in cents have never been issued due to their low value. The coin with the lowest value to have been issued is the 1/- coin, first minted in 1994 at the [[Pobjoy Mint]] in [[England]] and thus bearing the ''PM'' [[mint mark]]. In 2002, 2/- and 5/- coins were issued, bearing depictions of explorer [[Richard Francis Burton|Sir Richard Burton]] and a [[cockerel]], respectively. Other coins that have been issued are the 10/- coin (depicting a [[vervet monkey]]) and 20/- coin (depicting an [[Italian Greyhound]]). Somaliland coins are not currently being minted or circulated.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

The 1/- and 5/- coins are struck in [[aluminium]], the 10/- coin in [[brass]], the 20/- coin in [[stainless steel]], and the 1,000/- coin in .999 fine [[silver]].

;1/- coin (1994)
This was the first coin issued by the Somaliland government. The coin depicts a [[Somali pigeon]] (''Columba oliviae''). The PM (Pobjoy Mint) [[mint mark]] is located near the bird's tail feathers. The words "<small>REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 1994</small>" are inscribed on the [[obverse and reverse|obverse]] of the coin; the [[Reverse (coin)|reverse]] of the coin bears the words "<small>BAANKA SOMALILAND</small>" and "<small>ONE SOMALILAND SHILLING</small>" around the "1/-" in the centre.

;5/- coins (2002)
There are two coins in this denomination, both issued in 2002. The first bears a portrait of [[Richard Francis Burton|Sir Richard Francis Burton]], the second depicts a rooster.

The specifications of the first coin are as follows:

The obverse of the coin has the words "<small>RICHARD F. BURTON EXPLORATION OF SOMALILAND</small>" inscribed around Burton's portrait. The dates "1841 1904" are to the left of the portrait, and "2002" is to the right. "<small>BAANKA SOMALILAND</small>" and "<small>FIVE SOMALILAND SHILLINGS</small>" are inscribed on the reverse around the "5/-" in the centre.

The specifications of the second coin are as follows:

The obverse of this coin has the words "<small>REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 2002</small>" inscribed on it and depicts a cockerel. As with the other 5/- coin, the dates "1841 1904" are to the left of the portrait, and "2002" is to the right. '<small>BAANKA SOMALILAND</small>' and '<small>FIVE SOMALILAND SHILLINGS</small>' are also inscribed on the reverse around the "5/-" in the centre.

;10/- coin (2002)
The Sl.Sh.10/- coin obverse depicts a [[vervet monkey]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces2428.html|title=10 Shillings, Somaliland|website=en.numista.com}}</ref> around which the words "<small>REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 2002</small>" are inscribed. The reverse of the coin has "<small>BAANKA SOMALILAND</small>" and "<small>TEN SOMALILAND SHILLINGS</small>" inscribed around the "10/-" in the centre.

;20/- coin (2002)
The obverse of the 20/- coin depicts an [[Italian Greyhound]] and has the words "<small>REPUBLIC OF SOMALILAND 2002</small>" inscribed around it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces2418.html|title=20 Shillings, Somaliland|website=en.numista.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://coin-brothers.com/catalog/coin4351|title=20 Shillings Somaliland, Republic 2002, KM# 6 &#124; CoinBrothers Catalog|website=coin-brothers.com}}</ref> The reverse has "<small>BAANKA SOMALILAND</small>" and "<small>TWENTY SOMALILAND SHILLINGS</small>" inscribed around the "20/-" in the centre.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"!colspan="6"]
|-
!Obverse !! Reverse !! Value !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Date of issue
|-
| [[File:1 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 1994.jpg|200 px]]
| [[File:1 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 1994.jpg|200 px]]
| 1/-
| The obverse depicts a [[Somali pigeon]] (Columba oliviae)
| [[Bank of Somaliland|"BAANKA SOMALILAND"]] and "ONE SOMALILAND SHILLING" appear above and below the "1/-" in the centre
| 1994
|-
| [[File:5 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 2002.jpg|200 px]]
| [[File:5 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 2002.jpg|200 px]]
| 5/-
| There were two coins of this denomination, both issued in 2002. The first coin obverse has a portrait of Sir [[Richard Francis Burton]], while the second depicts a rooster.
| "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "FIVE SOMALILAND SHILLINGS" appear above and below the "5/-" in the centre
| 2002
|-
| [[File:10 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 2002.jpg|200 px]]
| [[File:10 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 2002.jpg|200 px]]
| 10/-
| The obverse depicts a [[vervet monkey]]
| "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "TEN SOMALILAND SHILLINGS" appear above and below the "10/-" in the centre
| 2002
|-
| [[File:20 Somaliland Shilling Coins Obverse 2002.jpg|200 px]]
| [[File:20 Somaliland Shilling Coins Reverse 2002.jpg|200 px]]
| 20/-
| The obverse depicts an [[Italian Greyhound]]
| "BAANKA SOMALILAND" and "TWENTY SOMALILAND SHILLINGS" appear above and below the "20/-" in the centre
| 2002
|-
|}

==Banknotes==
Banknotes were issued in denominations of 5/-, 10/-, 20/-, 50/-, 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/- and 5,000/-; dates of issue range from 1994 to 2011.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Linzmayer | first1 = Owen | title = The Banknote Book | chapter = Somaliland | publisher = www.BanknoteNews.com | year = 2012 | location = San Francisco, CA | url = http://www.banknotebook.com}}</ref> Currently, only the 100/-, 500/-, 1,000/- and 5,000/- notes are in circulation.
[[File:500 Somaliland Shillings notes.jpg|thumb|right|500/- notes.]]

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
!colspan="7"|1996-2011 notes [https://colnect.com/en/banknotes/series/country/251-Somaliland]
|-
!Obverse !! Reverse !! Value !! Main Colour !! Obverse !! Reverse !! Date(s) of issue
|-
| [[File:5 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:5 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 5/-
| Green
| rowspan="4" |Camel caravan in front of [[Naasa Hablood]] Hills near [[Hargeisa]]
| rowspan="4" |Goodirka Building (Former House of Representatives, later Supreme Court) in [[Hargeisa]], and a [[kudu]] to the right
|rowspan=1|1994
|-
| [[File:10 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:10 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 10/-
| Purple
|rowspan=2|1994, 1996
|-
| [[File:20 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:20 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 20/-
| Brown
|-
| [[File:50 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:50 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 50/-
| Blue
|rowspan=1|1996, 1999
|-
| [[File:100 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:100 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 100/-
| Khaki
| rowspan="3" | [[Berbera]] dockside with [[Somali sheep]] and [[Somali goat|goats]]
| rowspan="4" | [[Bank of Somaliland]] in [[Hargeisa]]
|rowspan=2|1994, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2016
|-
| [[File:500 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:500 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 500/-
| Blue
|-
| [[File:1000 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:1000 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 1,000/-
| Red
|rowspan=1|2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016
|-
| [[File:5000 Somaliland Shillings back.jpg|300 px]]
| [[File:5000 Somaliland Shillings.jpg|300 px]]
| 5,000/-
| Green
|Three camels and three goats foraging
| 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016
|-
|colspan="7"|{{Standard banknote table notice|standard_scale=Y}}
|}

In 1996 and 1999, regular 50/- notes were reissued in a larger size (130 × 58 or 130 × 57&nbsp;mm by difference sources).

;5th Anniversary of Independence Commemorative Issue (1996)
In 1996, banknotes were overprinted with the phrase "5th Anniversary of Independence 18 May 1996 Sanad Gurada 5ee Gobanimadda 18 May 1996" in bronze/gold letters, or "Sanad Gurada 5ee Gobanimadda 18 May 1996" in silver letters to commemorate the fifth anniversary of de facto independence. However, it is unclear whether these notes were overprinted by Somaliland authorities or numismatic merchants.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

==Exchange rates==
The central bank provides exchange services for various currencies at the official government rate, but most people prefer the unofficial rates used by [[hawala]] agents and [[money changer]]s on the streets of main cities.

*In November 2000, the official exchange rate of Baanka Somaliland was 4,550/- for 1 [[United States dollar|US dollar]]. Unofficial exchange rates at the time fluctuated between 4,000/- and 5,000/- per dollar. 

*In December 2008, the official rate had fallen to 7,500/- per US dollar.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.somalilandgov.com/cprofile.htm |title=Somaliland Republic : Country Profile |access-date=2005-12-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214114057/http://www.somalilandgov.com/cprofile.htm |archive-date=2012-02-14 }}</ref> 

*In December 2015, the generally recognized exchange rate was 6,000/- per US dollar. 

*In July 2019, the generally recognized exchange rate had dropped to 8,500/- per US dollar. 

*In December 2022, the official exchange rate of Baanka Somaliland was 8530/- for 1 [[United States dollar|US dollar]]. The Somaliland exchange rate in 2019 was 8,500/- per US dollar which is a 0.35% increase of inflation, the Somaliland Shilling remains stable around the 8,000 mark and will most likely decrease in inflation in the coming years. 

*In September 2025, the generally recognized exchange rate had dropped to 10,000/- per US dollar.

==See also==
*[[Economy of Somaliland]]
*[[Somali shilling]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{numis cite SCWPM | date=2006}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://allnumis.com/coins-catalog/somaliland/period/republic-1991-2010 Catalogue of Somaliland coins].

{{n-start}}
{{n-before|currency=[[Somali shilling]]|reason=currency independence|ratio=1 Somaliland shilling = 100 Somali shillings = 1.50 [[United States dollar]]}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Somaliland]]|start=1994|note=Somaliland is not widely recognized}}
{{n-after}}
{{end}}

{{Historical currencies of Somaliland}}
{{Currencies of Africa}}
{{Shilling}}
{{Authority control}}{{Portal bar|Africa|Money|Numismatics|Somaliland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Somaliland Shilling}}
[[Category:Circulating currencies]]
[[Category:Currencies of Africa]]
[[Category:Economy of Somaliland|Shilling]]
[[Category:Currencies introduced in 1994]]
[[Category:Currencies of Somaliland]]
[[Category:Shillings]]