Honduran lempira
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| Honduran lempira lempira hondureño (Spanish) |
|
| ISO 4217 Code | HNL |
|---|---|
| User(s) | Honduras |
| Inflation | 5.7% |
| Source | The World Factbook, 2006 est. |
| Subunit | |
| 1/100 | centavo |
| Symbol | L |
| Coins | 10, 20, 50 centavos |
| Banknotes | L1, L2, L5, L10, L20, L50, L100, L500 |
| Central bank | Banco Central de Honduras |
| Website | www.bch.hn |
The lempira (ISO 4217 code: HNL) is the currency of Honduras. It is subdivided into 100 centavos. The lempira was named after the 16th-century cacique Lempira, a ruler of the indigenous Lenca people, who is renowned in Honduran folklore for leading the (ultimately unsuccessful) local native resistance against the Spanish conquistador forces. He is a national hero, and is honoured on both the 1 lempira note and on the 20 and 50 centavos coins.
[edit] History
The lempira was introduced in 1931, replacing the peso at par. In the late 1980s, the exchange rate was two lempiras to the U.S. dollar (the 20 centavos coin is called a daime as they used to be worth the same as a U.S. dime). As of August 2006, the lempira was quoted at 18.8932 HNL to 1 USD. U.S. dollars are widely accepted as currency, but almost certainly the buyer will receive lempiras in change.[citation needed]
[edit] Coins
In 1931, coins were introduced in denominations of 5, 20 and 50 centavos and 1 lempira. 1, 2 and 10 centavos coins were added in 1935, 1939 and 1932 respectively. The silver 1 lempira coins ceased production in 1937, with the other silver coins (20 and 50 centavos) replaced by cupro-nickel in 1967.
Coins currently in circulation are [1]
- 1 centavo - discontinued in 1985
- 2 centavos - discontinued in 1990
- 5 centavos - discontinued in 1998
- 10 centavos
- 20 centavos
- 50 centavos
[edit] Banknotes
The Bank of Honduras and the Banco Atlantida issued the first lempira banknotes in 1932. They were in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 lempiras. The Central Bank of Honduras took over production of paper money in 1950, introducing 100 lempiras notes in 1951. In 1975, 100 lemprias notes were added, followed by 500 lempiras in 1995.
Banknotes in circulation are [2]
| Image | Value | Color | Dimensions | Obverse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
L1 | Red | 156 × 67 mm | Lempira |
 |
L2 | Purple | Marco Aurelio Soto | |
 |
L5 | Green | Francisco Morazán | |
 |
L10 | Brown | Jose Trinidad Cabañas | |
 |
L20 | Green | Dionisio de Herrera | |
 |
L50 | Cyan | Juan Manuel Galvez | |
 |
L100 | Orange | Jose Cecilio del Valle | |
 |
L500 | Violet | Ramon Rosa |
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