Maldivian rufiyaa

The Maldivian rufiyaa (Dhivehi: ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާ; sign: Rf or ރ; code: MVR) is the currency of the Maldives. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA). The most commonly used symbols for the rufiyaa are MVR and Rf. The ISO 4217 code for Maldivian rufiyaa is MVR. The rufiyaa is subdivided into 100 laari.

Maldivian rufiyaa

ދިވެހި ރުފިޔާ (Dhivehi)
Rf. 1 coin
ISO 4217
Code	MVR (numeric: 462) before 1990: MVQ
Subunit	0.01
Unit
Symbol	Rf, MVR, ރ‎
Denominations
Subunit
1⁄100	laari
Banknotes
Freq. used	Rf. 5, Rf. 10, Rf. 20, Rf. 50, Rf. 100, Rf. 500
Rarely used	Rf. 1,000, Rf. 5,000
Coins
Freq. used	25 laari, 50 laari, Rf. 1, Rf. 2
Rarely used	1, 5, 10 laari
Demographics
User(s)	Maldives
Issuance
Central bank	Maldives Monetary Authority
Website	www.mma.gov.mv
Printer	De La Rue PLC
Website	www.delarue.com
Mint	Ministry of Finance
Website	www.finance.gov.mv
Valuation
Inflation	2.8%
Source	The World Factbook, 2017 est.

The name "rufiyaa" is derived from the Sanskrit रूप्य (rūpya, wrought silver). The midpoint of exchange rate is Rf. 12/85 per US dollar and the rate is permitted to fluctuate within a ±20% band, i.e. between Rf. 10/28 and Rf. 15/42 as of 10 April 2017.^[1]

History

The modern building of the Maldives Monetary Authority

The earliest form of currency used in the Maldives was cowrie shells (Cypraea moneta) and historical accounts of travellers indicate that they were traded in this manner even during the 13th century. As late as 1344, Ibn Battuta observed that more than 40 ships loaded with cowry shells were exported each year. A single gold dinar was worth 400,000 shells.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, lārin^[2] (parallel straps of silver wire folded in half with dyed Persian and Arabic inscriptions) were imported and traded as currency. This form of currency was used in the Persian Gulf, India, Ceylon and the Far East during this time. Historians agree that this new form of currency was most probably exchanged for cowry shells and indicates Maldives' lucrative trade with these countries. The first Sultan to imprint his own seal onto this currency was Ghaazee Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam. The seal was much broader than the wires hence it was barely legible.

Maldivian coins from the 17th and 18th century.

The first known of coins were introduced by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar (1648–1687). Compared to the previous forms of money, these coins were much neater and minted in pure silver. The coins were minted in the capital city of Malé, a fact which it acknowledged on the reverse. The legend "King of Land and Sea, Iskandhar the Great" (Dhivehi: ކަނޑާއި އެއްގަމުގެ ރަސްގެފާނު، މަތިވެރި އިސްކަންދަރު) is found on the edge.

After this period, gold coins replaced the existing silver ones during the reign of Sultan Hassan Nooruddin in 1787. He used two different qualities of gold in his coins; one was called Mohoree and the other Baimohoree, of which the former is of higher value. How this gold was obtained is uncertain.

Throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, bronze coins were issued denominated in laari. Sultan Mohamed Imaadhudheen IV (1900–1904) introduced what historians believe to be the first machine struck coins, judging the superior quality of the engravements. His successor Sultan Mohamed Shamshudeen III (1904–1935) made the last of these coins, 1 and 4 laari denominations, which were struck in the United Kingdom by Heaton's Mint, Birmingham, England in 1913.

Following the end of coin production specifically for the Maldives, the Sultanate came to use the Ceylonese rupee. This was supplemented in 1947 by issues of banknotes denominated in rufiyaa, equal in value to the rupee. In 1960, coins denominated in laari, now worth one hundredth of the rufiyaa, were introduced.

In 1990, the formal ISO 4217 code was changed from MVQ (Maldive rupee) into MVR (rufiyaa).ISO 4217 Standard definition:

• "Data Standards, ISO 4217 - Currency Code Maintenance: Get the Correct Currency Code". www.six-group.com. SIX Group. 1 October 2022.
• "List One: Currency, fund and precious metal codes" (XLS). www.six-group.com. SIX Group. 23 September 2022.
• "List Two: Fund codes registered with the Maintenance Agency" (XLS). www.six-group.com. SIX Group. 29 August 2018.
• "List Three: Codes for historic denominations of currencies and funds" (XLS). www.six-group.com. SIX Group. 22 August 2018.
• "Overview Amendments" (XLSX). www.six-group.com. SIX Group. 23 September 2022.

Currency Sign

The currency symbol for Maldivian Rufiyaa was introduced to the public by MMA on 3 July 2022. The symbol represents letter “Ra” of Thaana script which also is the first letter in spelling “Rufiyaa” in Dhivehi. A parallel line is added to letter “Ra” to represent the arithmetic “equal” sign as used in various other currency symbols.

The Maldivian Rufiyaa symbol is created by introducing an additional horizontal stroke to Dhivehi Thaana letter 'Raa'.

The symbol can be customised to match the ‘look and feel’ of the font with which the symbol is used to be together, whilst maintaining the proportions and ratios of the construction.

The currency symbol comprises a bold, angled line intersected by two shorter, angled, thicker lines.^[3]

The symbol was designed by Mr. Hassan Shujau. It was chosen among 70 concept proposals received by MMA through a nationwide competition. The proposals were evaluated by an evaluation committee comprising members from MMA, Dhivehi Bahuge Academy and other areas of expertise.^[4]

Coins

Main article: Coins of the Maldivian rufiyaa

In early 1960, Sultan Mohamed Fareed I ordered coins from the Royal Mint in England. The new issue consisted of denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 laari. Unlike his predecessors, Sultan Fareed did not embellish his title on the coins; instead he used the National Emblem on the reverse side with the traditional title of the state (Arabic: الدولة المحلديبية, State of Maldives) and the denomination value on the obverse side. The currency was put into circulation in February 1961 and all the previously traded coins, with the exception of Shamshudeen III's 1 and 4 laari, were withdrawn from circulation on 17 June 1966.

The newly established central bank, the Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA), introduced the Rf. 1 coin on 22 January 1983. The coin was minted in West Germany. In 1984, a new series of coins was introduced which did not include the 2 laari denomination. In 1995, Rf. 2 coins were introduced. Coins currently in circulation are 1 laari, 2 laari, 5 laari, 10 laari, 25 laari, 50 laari, Rf. 1, Rf. 2. In 2017, a bimetallic Rf. 2 coin was introduced into circulation to replace the previous RF. 2 coin.

Coins of The Rufiyaa
Image		Value	Description		Composition	Dhivehi Nomenclature
Reverse	Obverse		Reverse	Obverse
		1 laari	Coconut Palm, year of minting, rope with knot design	State title in Thaana and English, value	Aluminum	ekeh laari
		5 laari	Tuna, year of minting, rope with knot design		Aluminum	fas laari
		10 laari	Sailing Boat (Odi), year of minting, rope with knot design		Aluminum	dhihaeh laari
		25 laari	The Male' Minaret, year of minting, rope with knot design		Nickel-Brass plated Steel	fansavees eve laari
		50 laari	Turtle, year of minting, rope with knot design		Nickel-Brass plated Steel	fansaas laari
		1 rufiyaa	Coat of Arms, year of minting	State title in Thaana and English, value, rope with knot design	Nickel plated Steel	ekeh rufiyaa
		2 rufiyaa	Conch shell, year of minting, dhivehi text "ދިވެހިރާއްޖެ" Traditional pattern on ring	English text "Republic of Maldives, 2 Rufiyaa" dhivehi text "ރުފިޔާ" Traditional pattern on ring	Nickel plated Steel center in Nickel-Brass ring	dhyeh rufiyaa

Banknotes

In 1945, the Majlis of the Maldives (Parliament) passed bill number 2/66 on the "Maldivian Bank Note". Under this law, banknotes for Rf. 1⁄2, Rf. 1, Rf. 2, Rf. 5 and Rf. 10 were printed and put into circulation on 5 September 1948.^[5] In 1951, Rf. 50 and Rf. 100 banknotes were introduced.

The previous series of banknotes were issued in 1983 in denominations of Rf. 2, Rf. 5, Rf. 10, Rf. 20, Rf. 50 and Rf. 100. Rf. 500 banknotes were added in 1990, with the Rf. 2 replaced by a coin in 1995.

In October 2015, the Maldives Monetary Authority issued a Rf. 5,000 banknote in polymer to commemorate the 50th anniversary of independence, and issued a new family of banknotes in polymer that included a new denomination of Rf. 1,000. A Rf. 5 banknote printed in polymer was revealed in May 2017 and was issued in July 2017. It was originally planned that this denomination was to be replaced by a coin of the same denomination, but public input convinced the Maldives Monetary Authority to go for the banknote.

Illustrations on the banknotes were done by Maizan Hassan Manik and Abbaas (Bamboo).

1947–1980 issue
Image	Denomination	Obverse	Reverse
	Rf. 1	On the obverse two vignettes. To the left is a vignette of a lateen rigged mas dhoani (a small sailing vessel used for fishing) with a palm tree, while to the right is a vignette of a square rigged vessel known as a mas odi or 'fishing odi'. The mas odi is an older style of fishing vessel.	A two-storeyed building, which was used for different purposes over the years. At the time the banknotes were prepared the building was the Customs House. It later became a Post Office and was last used as the Office of the Prime Minister. To the left of the building is the main bastion of the town wall. The bastion was called the 'Bodu Koattey Buruzu'. There was a flagstaff on the Bodu Koattey which flew the State ensign if there was a foreign vessel in port. The bastion has since been torn down as part of the harbour redevelopment and the old Customs house has been demolished, now being the site of Republic Park.
	Rf. 2		The Royal Jetty. This elaborately carved wooden construction was torn down as part of the harbour redevelopment.
	Rf. 5		The Sakkarannya Gate, which was one of the principal entrances to the Court of Eterekoilu, the Sultan's Palace. The view is looking west from the street called Meduziyaaraiy Magu. Beyond the gate is the watch-house on the Aa-Koattey Buruzu (New Fort Bastion), from which the Royal Standard flew. Over the wall, to the right, is Veyodorhu Ganduvaru Mathige.
	Rf. 10		The Veyodorhu Ganduvaru Mathige was a three-storeyed house that was adjacent to the Sultan's Palace. Now demolished, the building was at one stage the Sifainge, or Defence Headquarters of the militia. The aspect of the illustration on the banknote is from the Aa-Koattey Buruzu (New Fort Bastion). To the left of the building is Medhumaa Gate, flanked by lamp-posts. To the left of the gate is the very low Kilege Buruzu (bastion) from which gun salutes were fired.
	Rf. 50		The Ibrahimiyya Building, a two-storeyed construction by the wharf in Male harbour. Used for many purposes over the years, including the Customs House, it no longer remains standing. To the left of the building is the Dhathurah Araavadaigannavaa Gate (Royal Embarkation Gate), the entrance to the Court of Eterekoilu from the harbour.
	Rf. 100		Buildings and gardens of the Court of Eterekoilu looking from the north. The tallest building on the right is the Aa-Koattery Buruzu (New Fort Bastion). The tall building on the left is the Veyodorhu Ganduvaru Mathige. Most of the Sultan's Palace and gardens were torn down in 1968. The area now includes the 'Sultan's Park', which surrounds the National Museum, while the Islamic Centre and Mosque is built on the area in the foreground of the illustration.

1983 series
Image		Value	Main colour	Dimensions	Description		Date of issue
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		Rf. 5	Violet	70 mm × 150 mm	Illustration of a bunch of coconuts and the "Dhivehi Odi" is common on the front of all banknotes in circulation. The coconut is widely used in the Maldives. The "Dhivehi Odi" built of coconut timber was used for inter island transport."Dhivehi Odi" is also a reference to "Kalhu'oh'fummi" the ship used by Muhammad Thakurufaanu and his brothers Ali and Hassan when they were fighting to liberate Maldives.	FISHING; The means of sustenance of the nation since time immemorial	1983
		Rf. 10	Brown			ISLAND LIFE; A garland of widely scattered tiny islands has evolved a life of subsistence for the islanders
		Rf. 20	Pink			INNER HARBOUR MALE'; The centrifuge of commercial activity in the country
		Rf. 50	Blue			BAZAR IN MALE'; Buzzing with movement all day long
		Rf. 100	Green			"MEDHUZIYAARAIY"; A revered symbol of proud history
		Rf. 500	Red			ISLAMIC CENTRE AND MOSQUE; Emblazons the Islamic faith and unity of the nation	1990
For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

2015-2020 ("Ran Dhihafaheh") series
Image		Value	Main colour	Dimensions	Description		Date of issue
Obverse	Reverse				Obverse	Reverse
		Rf. 5	Gray-red	150×70mm	Football players; fish; dancers	Conch shell	2017
		Rf. 10	Yellow-brown		Men and women playing traditional drums; Toddy tapper	Traditional Maldivian drum	2015 2018
		Rf. 20	Pink-violet		Jet airplane taking off from Velana International Airport; Fisherman and skipjack tuna; cowry shell (Cyprea moneta)	Dhoni	2015 2020
		Rf. 50	Green		Men pulling boats from the beach onto the water; Seated boy reciting the Quran	Minaret of the Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy)	2015
		Rf. 100	Red		Group of locals in traditional attire; seated woman wearing traditional dress (Libaas), working on the neckline threading (Hiru) of a similar dress	Early Dhivehi scripture (Lōmāfānu)	2015 2018
		Rf. 500	Orange		Woman making ekels (Iloshi), traditionally used for brooms (Iloshi fathii); artisan carving wood using mallet and chisel	Traditional hand carved vase with lacquer work detailing	2015
		Rf. 1,000	Blue		Manta rays (Manta alfredi), Green turtle (Chelonia mydas)	Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)	2015
For table standards, see the banknote specification table.

Current MVR exchange rates
From Google Finance:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD SGD THB INR
From Yahoo! Finance:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD SGD THB INR
From XE.com:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD SGD THB INR
From OANDA:	AUD CAD CHF CNY EUR GBP HKD JPY USD SGD THB INR

See also

• Currency of Maldives
• Economy of Maldives
• Maldives Banknote Collection (1947-2022)

References

1. MMA announcement Archived 27 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
2. After Lar in modern day Iran where it was first minted Archived 6 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
3. https://www.mma.gov.mv/images/currency/Symbol%20Construction.png ^{[bare URL image file]}
4. "Currency Symbol for Maldivian Rufiyaa". mma.gov.mv. Maldives Monetary Authority. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
5. Linzmayer, Owen (2012). "Maldives". The Banknote Book. San Francisco, CA: BanknoteNews.com.

• MMA (Dhivehi) Publication, 1983. ދިވެހި ރާއްޖޭގެ ފައިސާ (Maldivian Currency)

External links

• Currency in Circulation – Maldives Monetary Authority (archived)
• Maldives Rufiyaa Collection (1947–2022)
• Official Exchange Rates (archived)
• Banknotes of the Maldives