BRL – Brazilian Real

Monetary System

1942: Brazilian cruzeiro (BRZ) = 1,000 reis
1967: Brazilian cruzeiro novo (BRB) = 1,000 BRZ
1970: Brazilian cruzeiro = 1 BRB
1986: Brazilian cruzado (BRC) = 1,000 BRB
1989: Brazilian cruzado novo (BRN) = 1,000 BRC
1990: Brazilian cruzeiro (BRE) = 1 BRN
1993: Brazilian cruzeiro real (BRR) = 1,000 BRE
1994: Brazilian real (BRL) = 2,750 BRR = 100 centavos

2010 – 2020 Issues

This new family of notes started with the 50- and 100-real denominations introduced in 2010, followed by 10- and 20-real notes in 2012, 2- and 5-real notes in 2013, and 200-real notes in 2020. During the transition to the new family, the current series remained legal tender.
The new notes increase in size with the denomination and have tactile features intaglio printed at lower right front to assist the sight-impaired in distinguishing between denominations. The theme of the preceding family—an effigy of the Republic on the front and Brazilian animals on the back—is maintained, but the graphics have been redesigned with a horizontal orientation and enhanced security features.
On 2 August 2020, new 200-real notes were introduced. Approximately 450 million notes had been printed at a cost of 325 reales per thousand banknotes. On 9 October 2020, the Federal Public Defender’s Office filed a Public Civic Action claiming lack of accessibility to the sight-impaired because the new 200-real note is the same size (142 x 65 mm) as the 20-real note.

Description: 2.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 121 x 65 mm

Blue and green. Front: Portuguese text; puzzle number as registration device; head of República. Back: Portuguese text; TARTARUGA MARINHA(Eretmochelys imbricata, Hawksbill sea turtles) swimming among corals and starfish; puzzle number. No security thread. Watermark: Sea turtle and electrotype 2. Printer: Varieties. 121 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 5.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 128 x 65 mm

Purple and blue. Front: Portuguese text; puzzle number as registration device; head of República. Back: Portuguese text; GARÇA(Casmerodius albus, great egret) bird standing in swamp; puzzle number. No security thread. Watermark: Egret and electrotype 5. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 128 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 135 x 65 mm

Red. Front: Portuguese text; puzzle number as registration device; head of República; SPARK 10. Back: Portuguese text; ARARA (Ara chloreptera, Greenwing macaw) birds; puzzle number. Solid security thread with demetalized 10 REAIS. Watermark: Macaw and electrotype 10. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 135 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 142 x 65 mm

Yellow and orange. Front: Portuguese text; puzzle number as registration device; head of República; SPARK 20. Back: Portuguese text; MICO-LEÃO-DOURADO (Leonthopitecus rosalia, golden lion tamarin); puzzle number. Solid security thread with demetalized 20 REAIS. Watermark: Golden lion tamarin and electrotype 20. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 142 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 149 x 70 mm

Beige and olive green. Front: Portuguese text; puzzle number as registration device; head of República. Back: Portuguese text; ONÇA-PINTADA(Panthera onca, jaguar) with paws on log; puzzle number. Holographic stripe. Solid security thread with demetalized 50 REAIS. Watermark: Jaguar and electrotype 50. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL.149 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 156 x 70 mm

Aqua and light blue. Front: Portuguese text; puzzle number as registration device; head of República; coral. Back: Portuguese text; GAROUPA(Epinephelus marginatus, Dusky grouper) fish swimming among corals; puzzle number. Holographic stripe. Solid security thread with demetalized 100 REAIS. Watermark: Grouper and electrotype 100. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 156 x 70 mm. Paper.

Description: 200.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 142 x 65 mm

Gray, brown, blue, and yellow. Front: Portuguese text; puzzle number as registration device; head of República; leaves; blue-to-green SPARK 200. Back: Portuguese text; LOBO-GUARÁ(Chrysocyon brachyurus, Maned wolf); puzzle number. Solid security thread. Watermark: Wolf and electrotype 200. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL.142 x 65 mm. Paper.

2001 – 2002 Issues

The symbols at left front are intaglio printed to allow the sight-impaired to distinguish between denominations.

Description: 2.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 140 x 65 mm

Blue and green. Front: Portuguese text; head of República; coat of arms with laurels and star as registration device. Back (vertical): Portuguese text; coat of arms; TARTARUGA MARINHA(Eretmochelys imbricata, Hawksbill sea turtles) swimming among corals. No security thread. Watermark: Sea turtle and electrotype 2. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 140 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 20.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 140 x 65 mm

Yellow, orange, and brown. Front: Portuguese text; head of República; coat of arms with laurels and star as registration device. Back (vertical): Portuguese text; coat of arms; MICO-LEÃO-DOURADO(Leonthopitecus rosalia, golden lion tamarin) sitting on tree branch. Holographic stripe. Solid security thread. Watermark: Head of golden lion tamarin and electrotype 20. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 140 x 65 mm. Paper.

1994 – 1997 Real Issues

The oval symbols at left front are intended to assist the sight-impaired in distinguishing between denominations.

Description: 5.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 140 x 65 mm

Purple and blue. Front: Portuguese text; head of República; coat of arms with laurels and star as registration device. Back (vertical): Portuguese text; coat of arms; GARÇA(Casmerodius albus, great egret) bird standing in swamp. Security thread varieties. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 140 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 10.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 140 x 65 mm

Red and brown. Front: Portuguese text; head of República; coat of arms with laurels and star as registration device. Back (vertical): Portuguese text; coat of arms; ARARA(Ara chloreptera, Greenwing macaw) bird. Solid security thread. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 140 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 50.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 140 x 65 mm

Brown and reddish-brown. Front: Portuguese text; head of República; coat of arms with laurels and star as registration device. Back (vertical): Portuguese text; coat of arms; ONÇA-PINTADA(Panthera onca, jaguar) with paws on tree branch. Solid security thread. Watermark: Head of República. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 140 x 65 mm. Paper.

Description: 100.00 BRL – Brazilian Real Size: 140 x 65 mm

Light blue and black. Front: Portuguese text; head of República; coat of arms with laurels and star as registration device. Back (vertical): Portuguese text; coat of arms; GAROUPA(Epinephelus marginatus, Dusky grouper) fish swimming among seaweed. Solid security thread. Watermark: Head of República. Printer: CASA DA MOEDA DO BRASIL. 140 x 65 mm. Paper.

Central Bank of Brazil
Banco Central do Brasil

For more information, visit www.bcb.gov.br.