Map Showing The 10 Countries With The Oldest Currencies Still In Use Today

As one of the most traded currencies in the world, the British pound features in a number of major, minor and exotic crosses. The table below shows some of the most popular crosses using GBP as both the base and quote currency, along with our spreads and prices. There was pressure from other EU countries and even within Britain indicating that the UK should adopt the euro currency. Arguably, the pound may outlast the euro, as Europe has seen many recent political instabilities (such as Brexit) that has threatened to potentially tear the eurozone single currency apart. Read on to discover which is the world’s oldest currency still in use and how it can be traded across the world, as part of a currency pair, forex index or Short Sterling contract.

• Today, the forex market, or global market for foreign exchange of national currencies, is one of the largest markets in the world, with over $6.6 trillion in trades every day.
• Over more than 1,200 years, the British Pound has survived wars, economic upheavals, and the rise and fall of empires, consistently adapting to changing times.
• See our guide to the most traded forex pairs​ that comprise of these currencies and more.
• Today, Serbia has a range of denominations and historically important people and cultural monuments on the face of the banknotes.

Dominican peso

• Japan’s currency survived the country’s transition from feudalism to modernization, devastating earthquakes, World War II, and rapid economic growth during the post-war period.
• The currency was distinguished by its similarity to Venetian grossos, sometimes causing diplomatic tensions, and Dante even referenced Serbian coins in his works.
• The Bank of England, established in 1694, helped stabilize the currency and establish London as a global financial center.
• Arguably, the pound may outlast the euro, as Europe has seen many recent political instabilities (such as Brexit) that has threatened to potentially tear the eurozone single currency apart.

Known as one of the pioneers of Best oil etf currency, China’s early forms of currency dated back to thousand years ago. But its official currency—popularly known as Yuan was established in 1889. As explained in Ebanx Insights, the Chinese Yuan was widely used in Southeast Asia due to Spanish colonial influence.

Their survival through wars, economic crises, technological revolutions, and political upheavals shows that well-managed monetary systems can maintain relevance across centuries. The Swiss franc, introduced in 1850, may be younger than some currencies but has earned a reputation for exceptional stability and reliability. Switzerland’s unique political neutrality and conservative monetary policies have made the franc a global symbol of financial security. The Bank of Japan, established in 1882, has played a crucial role in maintaining the yen’s stability and international credibility. Today, the yen serves as one of the world’s primary reserve currencies and remains a symbol of Japan’s economic strength.

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The founding of the People’s Bank of China in 1949 marked the beginning of modern yuan or renminbi (RMB) and a series of coins and notes were minted throughout the 20th century. The third most-traded currency in the foreign exchange is the Japanese yen, the official national currency of Japan. The British pound sterling (GBP) is arguably the oldest currency still in widespread use. Tracing its origins back to the Anglo-Saxon period, the pound was initially a unit of weight for silver. It was standardized in the 8th century and officially adopted as currency during the reign of King Offa of Mercia in the late 8th century. Today, the pound remains one of the world’s strongest currencies, serving as the cornerstone of the UK’s economy for over 1,200 years.

In a bulletin released by the Bank of England, an “old” currency’s physical condition and usability mainly affects their trustworthiness and acceptability. Which is essential to replace worn banknotes with new ones to keep the currency reliable. Today, the US dollar is one of the most important currencies in international trade, as the United States had 2.10 trillion dollars in circulation in 2021.

Adjusting to Modern Financial Systems

The yen (JPY) was introduced officially in 1871, following the Meiji Restoration, replacing the Edo period’s complex monetary system. However, its conceptual roots trace back much further, with currency-like craft and coinage used in ancient Japan during the 8th century. The yen’s adoption marked a move towards modernization, but the currency’s design and some denomination concepts reflect centuries of Japanese monetary history. The Haitian Gourde was introduced in 1813 following Haiti’s independence from France, replacing the colonial livre. Named after the “gourd”, a unit of exchange used by indigenous people, the gourde is emblematic of Haitian sovereignty and self-reliance.

World’s Oldest Currencies Still Used Today

The Russian Federation was among the first countries to announce the digital ruble or Central Bank Digital Currency in 2017. The value of the regular ruble is identical to the value of the digital ruble, and the Bank of Russia has around 12 digital banks already working. Money and currency are sometimes used interchangeably but Investopedia clearly and distinctly defines money and currency as having different meanings. Remitly is on a mission to make international money transfers faster, easier, more transparent, and more affordable.

Since 2011, millions of people have used Remitly to send money with peace of mind. However, currencies that have survived for centuries have demonstrated resilience and adaptability that can contribute to ongoing stability. The Russian ruble has one of the most tumultuous histories among surviving currencies. First mentioned in the 13th century, the ruble has endured the Mongol invasion, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, and the modern Russian Federation. The British pound is the world’s oldest currency still in use at around 1,200 years old. Dating back to Anglo-Saxon times, the pound has gone through many changes before evolving into the currency we recognise today.

Banknotes have always had the United States presidents on the face of the dollar bills, and the only woman ever depicted was Martha Washington, the former First Lady. The Republic of Haiti is among the poorest countries in the Americas, as the country struggles with inflation and exchange rates of the gourde. But despite this, Haiti is a gorgeous mountainous country in the Caribbean, and it was the first black-led republic after getting independence back in 1804. The pound is the official national currency of Great Britain and the British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic Ocean, the Falkland Islands.

Before that, following its establishment in 1694, the Bank of England only issued partially printed notes with the ‘£’ sign as well as the first digit. The numbers had to be added by hand and each note had to be signed by one of the bank’s cashiers. Throughout history, several ancient currencies have endured the test of time, remaining in circulation in various forms. Their longevity offers a glimpse into the economic past and highlights how deeply some monetary systems are embedded in a nation’s identity.

List of Oldest Currencies in the World

In simpler terms, money is described in numbers while the basic form of currency is paper banknotes, coins, or plastic cards like credit or debit cards. So with this explanation, this article aims to unveil the earliest currencies that are still in use till date. Understanding how these ancient currencies thrived provides insights for both modern monetary policy and personal financial decisions. Their endurance reminds us that sound financial principles and careful management create lasting value that transcends political boundaries and economic cycles. Japan’s currency survived the country’s transition from feudalism to modernization, devastating earthquakes, World War II, and rapid economic growth during the post-war period. The yen’s stability comes from Japan’s consistent monetary policies and the country’s position as a major global economy.

Haitian Gourde (HTG)

Money has been a cornerstone of human civilization for thousands of years. While many ancient currencies have disappeared into history books, several remarkable monetary systems have withstood the test of time. These enduring currencies tell fascinating stories of economic resilience, cultural continuity, and adaptive evolution.

These include digital money like Ethereum (ETH), Ripple (XRP), Tether (USDT), and Litecoin (LTC). Throughout its history, the ruble has been redenominated multiple times, survived hyperinflation, and adapted to dramatically different economic systems. The Soviet ruble operated under a completely different framework than the imperial ruble, yet maintained continuity of name and basic function.

Long-surviving currencies typically benefit from stable governments, sound monetary policies, economic adaptability, and strong institutional support. Central banks play a crucial role in managing these currencies through various economic challenges. The name “ruble” comes from the Russian verb “rubit,” meaning “to chop,” originally referring to chopped-off pieces of silver ingots used as currency. This practical origin reflects Russia’s pragmatic approach to monetary systems.