PYG – Paraguayan Guarani

Monetary System

05.10.1943: 1 Paraguayan guaraní (PYG) = 100 cents

Central Bank of Paraguay
Banco Central del Paraguay

The Banco Central del Paraguay (Spanish: Central Bank of Paraguay, BCP) was established by law 18 on 25 March 1952. It took over operations from the Banco del Paraguay. For more information, visit www.bcp.gov.py.

2026 Issues

Unveiled on October 5, 2026, Paraguay’s new banknote series features historical figures and cultural symbols on the front, with native wildlife, plants, and ecoregions on the back. Lower denominations use polymer, while higher denominations use cotton paper. Each note features distinctive colors, enhanced security, and tactile elements for the visually impaired. New and old banknotes will circulate together.

Description: 2,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 125 × 67 mm

Purple. Front features portraits of a Guaraní man and woman, a jaguar, and traditional tereré symbols. Back depicts the Humid Chaco ecoregion, featuring a yellow anaconda, jaguar, and quebracho tree. Includes color-shifting security features and a simulated security thread. Size: 125 × 67 mm. Material: Polymer.

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 132 × 67 mm

Red. Front features portraits of San Roque González de Santa Cruz and Fray Juan Bernardo Colmán, a caiman, and traditional Ñandutí lace. Back depicts the Ñeembucú ecoregion, featuring a tree frog, water lily, and broad-snouted caiman. Includes color-shifting security features and a simulated security thread. Size: 132 × 67 mm. Material: Polymer.

Description: 10,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 139 × 67 mm

Orange. Front features portraits of Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia and Don Carlos Antonio López, a maned wolf, and traditional Ao Po’i embroidery. Back depicts the Amambay ecoregion, featuring a maned wolf, Katuáva leaves, and earth star fungus. Includes color-shifting security features and a simulated security thread. Size: 139 × 67 mm. Material: Polymer.

Description: 20,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 146 × 67 mm

Brown. Front features portraits of Marshals Francisco Solano López and José Félix Estigarribia, along with traditional Paraguayan poncho designs. Back depicts the Pantanal ecoregion, featuring a giant otter, Karanda’y palm tree, and spotted catfish. Includes a silver windowed security thread and catfish watermark. Size: 146 × 67 mm. Material: Cotton paper.

Description: 50,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 153 × 67 mm

Blue. Front features portraits of Adela and Celsa Speratti, along with traditional Paraguayan pottery designs. Back depicts the Dry Chaco ecoregion, featuring a rhinoceros beetle, Samu’u tree, and Chacoan peccary. Includes a green windowed security thread and peccary watermark. Size: 153 × 67 mm. Material: Cotton paper.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 160 × 67 mm

Green. Front features portraits of Agustín Pío Barrios and José Asunción Flores, along with a traditional Paraguayan harp. Back depicts the Alto Paraná ecoregion, featuring a white butterfly, black lapacho tree, and bare-throated bellbird. Includes a red windowed security thread and bellbird watermark. Size: 160 × 67 mm. Material: Cotton paper.

2015 – 2024 Issues

These notes are like preceding issues, but with changes to the the denominations printed in OVI, new dates, new signatures, and new printers without imprints. Subsequently the security threads for all three notes changed from Motion threads to 4-mm wide color-shifting windowed security threads.

Description: 20,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157×67 mm

Blue and green. Front: Spanish text; circle symbol for blind; BCP registration device; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; La Mujer Paraguaya (Paraguayan woman) holding vase. Back: Spanish text; modern Banco Central del Paraguay headquarters building in Asunción. Security thread varieties. Watermark: La Mujer Paraguaya and electrotype 20 MIL. Printer: (PWPW). 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous issue, but new date, new signatures, vertical serial number at left in black (not red), and denomination at upper left front no longer in OVI.

Description: 50,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157×67 mm

Purple, peach, and green. Front: Spanish text; pentagon symbol for blind; map; guitar registration device; guitarist and composer Agustín Pío Barrios (also known as Mangoré) in tuxedo; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap. Back: Spanish text; guitar. Security thread varieties. Watermark: Agustín Pío Barrios and electrotype 50 MIL. Printer: (Oberthur Technologies). 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous issue, but new date, new signatures, horizontal serial number at lower right in black (not green), denomination at upper left front no longer in OVI, and denomination at upper right back now in OVI.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157×67 mm

Green, blue, and yellow. Front: Spanish text; semicircle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; lion and cap registration device; round emblem with lion and cap; San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Back: Spanish text; Represa de Itaipu (Itaipu hydroelectric dam) on the Parana River. Security thread varieties. Watermark: San Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz and electrotype 100 MIL. Printer: (De La Rue). 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous issue, but new date, new signatures, denomination at upper left front no longer in OVI, and denomination at upper right back now in OVI.

2013 Issues

These notes are like preceding issues, but with the denominations at upper left front in OVI, new dates, and new printer imprints.

Description: 20,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Blue and green. Front: Spanish text; circle symbol for blind; BCP registration device; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; La Mujer Paraguaya (Paraguayan woman) holding vase. Back: Spanish text; modern Banco Central del Paraguay headquarters building in Asunción. Motion windowed security thread with star in circle pattern. Watermark: La Mujer Paraguaya and electrotype 20 MIL. Printer: Joh. Enschedé. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 50,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Purple, peach, and green. Front: Spanish text; pentagon symbol for blind; map; guitar registration device; guitarist and composer Agustín Pío Barrios (also known as Mangoré) in tuxedo; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap. Back: Spanish text; guitar. Motion windowed security thread. Watermark: Agustín Pío Barrios and electrotype 50 MIL. Printer: Joh. Enschedé. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous one, but different musical notation at center back.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Green, blue, and yellow. Front: Spanish text; semicircle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; lion and cap registration device; round emblem with lion and cap; San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Back: Spanish text; Represa de Itaipu (Itaipu hydroelectric dam) on the Parana River. Motion windowed security thread. Watermark: San Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz and electrotype 100 MIL. Printer: Joh. Enschedé. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Extras

On 21 October 2009, the Banco Central de Paraguay announced it would remove three zeroes from the guaraní in 2011 in an attempt to simplify economic transactions. The revised currency was to be called the new guaraní for a two-year period. As of early 2019, such notes have yet to be issued.

Outmoded Notes

2011 – 2017 Issues

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Red. Front: Spanish text; locomotive steam engine; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Don Carlos Antonio López. Back: Spanish text; Palacio de los López (Lopez Palace) building in Asunción; locomotive steam engine. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: (CBN). 157 x 67 mm. Polymer.

Description: 10,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Olive green. Front: Spanish text; triangle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Back: Spanish text; men standing around table with overturned chair, declaring independence from Spain on 14 de Mayo de 1811. Wide color-changing windowed security thread with demetalized star and REPUBLIC DEL PARAGUAY 10000. Watermark: None. Printer: Varieties. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous issue, but new printer imprint and revised engravings, plus blank area to right of portrait.

2010 Issues

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Red. Front: Spanish text; diamond symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Don Carlos Antonio López. Back: Spanish text; Palacio de los López (Lopez Palace) building in Asunción. Wide color-changing windowed security thread with demetalized lion and BCP G5000. Watermark: None. Printer: CASA DE MOEDA DO BRASIL. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 10,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Olive green. Front: Spanish text; triangle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Back: Spanish text; men standing around table with overturned chair, declaring independence from Spain on 14 de Mayo de 1811. Wide color-changing windowed security thread with demetalized star and REPUBLIC DEL PARAGUAY 10000. Watermark: None. Printer: CASA DE MOEDA DO BRASIL. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

2007 – 2013 Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but with Motion security threads instead of windowed threads, and other changes to the engravings due to a switch in printers.

Description: 20,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Blue and green. Front: Spanish text; circle symbol for blind; BCP registration device; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; La Mujer Paraguaya (Paraguayan woman) holding vase. Back: Spanish text; modern Banco Central del Paraguay headquarters building in Asunción. Motion windowed security thread with star in circle pattern. Watermark: La Mujer Paraguaya and electrotype 20 MIL. Printer: Giesecke & Devrient. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 50,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Purple, peach, and green. Front: Spanish text; pentagon symbol for blind; map; guitar registration device; guitarist and composer Agustín Pío Barrios (also known as Mangoré) in tuxedo; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap. Back: Spanish text; guitar. Motion windowed security thread. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Giesecke & Devrient. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Green, blue, and yellow. Front: Spanish text; semicircle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; lion and cap registration device; round emblem with lion and cap; San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Back: Spanish text; Represa de Itaipu (Itaipu hydroelectric dam) on the Parana River. Motion windowed security thread. Watermark: San Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz and electrotype 100 MIL. Printer: Varieties. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

2005 – 2017 Issues

Description: 2,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Purple and green. Front: Spanish text; open book; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Adela and Celsa Speratti; BCP registration device. Back: Spanish text; parade of young men waving flags. No security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: Varieties. 157 x 67 mm. Polymer.

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Red. Front: Spanish text; diamond symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Don Carlos Antonio López. Back: Spanish text; Palacio de los López (Lopez Palace) building in Asunción. Wide color-changing windowed security thread with demetalized lion and BCP G5000. Watermark: None. Printer: Giesecke & Devrient. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 10,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Olive green. Front: Spanish text; triangle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Back: Spanish text; men standing around table with overturned chair, declaring independence from Spain on 14 de Mayo de 1811. Security thread varieties. Watermark: Varieties. Printer: Varieties. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous one, but with “10 mil” in upper right corner on front.

Description: 20,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Blue and green. Front: Spanish text; circle symbol for blind; BCP registration device; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; La Mujer Paraguaya (Paraguayan woman) holding vase. Back: Spanish text; modern Banco Central del Paraguay headquarters building in Asunción. Windowed security thread with demetalized BCP 20000. Watermark: La Mujer Paraguaya and electrotype 20 MIL. Printer: CRANE CURRENCY. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 50,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Purple, peach, and green. Front: Spanish text; pentagon symbol for blind; map; guitar registration device; guitarist and composer Agustín Pío Barrios (also known as Mangoré) in tuxedo; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap. Back: Spanish text; guitar. Windowed security thread with demetalized G50000. Watermark: Agustín Pío Barrios. Printer: FRANÇOIS-CHARLES OBERTHUR. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 50,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Purple, peach, and green. Front: Spanish text; pentagon symbol for blind; map; guitar registration device; guitarist and composer Agustín Pío Barrios (also known as Mangoré) in tuxedo; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap. Back: Spanish text; guitar. Windowed security thread with demetalized G50000. Watermark: Agustín Pío Barrios. Printer: FRANÇOIS-CHARLES OBERTHUR. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Six boxes containing 250,000 new 50,000-guaraní notes were stolen during shipment by sea between France and Uruguay. They were intended to enter circulation in early December 2006, but in response to the theft, the bank canceled the emission.

2004 – 2005 Issues

These notes are like preceding issues, but with full bleed designs, and novel serial numbers printed vertically and horizontally, except the 20,000-guaraní note, on which the vertical serial numbers are all the same size.

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Red. Front: Spanish text; diamond symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Don Carlos Antonio López. Back: Spanish text; Palacio de los López (Lopez Palace) building in Asunción. Windowed security thread with demetalized G5000. Watermark: Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 10,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Olive green. Front: Spanish text; triangle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Back: Spanish text; men standing around table with overturned chair, declaring independence from Spain on 14 de Mayo de 1811. Windowed security thread with demetalized G10000. Watermark: Cornerstones. Printer: DE LA RUE. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 20,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Blue and green. Front: Spanish text; circle symbol for blind; BCP registration device; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; La Mujer Paraguaya (Paraguayan woman) holding vase. Back: Spanish text; modern Banco Central del Paraguay headquarters building in Asunción. Windowed security thread with demetalized G20000. Watermark: None. Printer: Giesecke & Devrient. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Green, blue, and yellow. Front: Spanish text; semicircle symbol for blind; lion and cap registration device; holographic patch; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Back: Spanish text; Represa de Itaipu (Itaipu hydroelectric dam) on the Parana River. Windowed security thread with demetalized G100000. Watermark: San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Printer: DE LA RUE. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Green, blue, and yellow. Front: Spanish text; semicircle symbol for blind; lion and cap registration device; OVI patch; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Back: Spanish text; Represa de Itaipu (Itaipu hydroelectric dam) on the Parana River. Windowed security thread with demetalized G100000. Watermark: San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Printer: FRANÇOIS-CHARLES OBERTHUR. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous one, but with OVI patch instead of hologram and new printer imprint.

2000 – 2003 Issues

These notes are like preceding issues, but with intaglio symbols for the blind at lower left front.

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Red. Front: Spanish text; diamond symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Don Carlos Antonio López. Back: Spanish text; Palacio de los López (Lopez Palace) building in Asunción. Windowed security thread with demetalized G5000. Watermark: None. Printer: CICCONE CALCOGRAFICA S.A. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Red. Front: Spanish text; diamond symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Don Carlos Antonio López. Back: Spanish text; Palacio de los López (Lopez Palace) building in Asunción. Windowed security thread with demetalized G5000. Watermark: None. Printer: CICCONE CALCOGRAFICA S.A. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.
Like previous issue, but diamond symbol for blind at extreme lower left corner.

Description: 10,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Olive green. Front: Spanish text; triangle symbol for blind; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Back: Spanish text; men standing around table with overturned chair, declaring independence from Spain on 14 de Mayo de 1811. Windowed security thread with demetalized G10000. Watermark: None. Printer: CICCONE CALCOGRAFICA S.A. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

1997 – 2003 Issues

These notes all bear the authorizing law (489/95) date of 29 June 1995 in the lower border, but they also bear the series year on front.

Description: 5,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Red. Front: Spanish text; Ministry of Finance oval shield with lion and cap; Don Carlos Antonio López. Back: Spanish text; Palacio de los López (Lopez Palace) building in Asunción. Windowed security thread with demetalized G5000. Watermark: None. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 10,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Olive green. Front: Spanish text; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Back: Spanish text; men standing around table with overturned chair, declaring independence from Spain on 14 de Mayo de 1811. Windowed security thread with demetalized G10000. Watermark: None. Printer: CICCONE CALCOGRAFICA S.A. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Green, blue, and yellow. Front: Spanish text; holographic patch; round coat of arms with star; round emblem with lion and cap; San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Back: Spanish text; Represa de Itaipu (Itaipu hydroelectric dam) on the Parana River. Windowed security thread with demetalized G100000. Watermark: San Roque González de Santa Cruz. Printer: DE LA RUE. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.

1982 – 1990 Bilingual Issues

These notes are like the preceding issues, but with the denomination spelled in Spanish on front and Guaraní on back.

Description: 100,000.00 PYG – Paraguayan Guarani Size: 157 x 67 mm

Olive green. Front: Spanish text; Ministry of Finance oval shield with lion and cap; Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia. Back: Spanish text; men standing around table with overturned chair, declaring independence from Spain on 14 de Mayo de 1811. Solid security thread. Watermark: None. Printer: THOMAS DE LA RUE & COMPANY, LIMITED. 157 x 67 mm. Paper.