Coinage of Madagascar

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From Wikipedia:

The ariary is the currency of Madagascar. It is subdivided into 5 iraimbilanja and is one of only two non-decimal currencies currently circulating (the other is the Mauritanian ouguiya). The names ariary and iraimbilanja derive from the pre-colonial currency, with ariary (from the Spanish word "real") being the name for a silver dollar. Iraimbilanja means literally "one iron weight" and was the name of an old coin worth 1⁄5 of an ariary.

The ariary was introduced in 1961. It was equal to 5 Malagasy francs. Coins and banknotes were issued denominated in both francs and ariary, with the sub-unit of the ariary, the iraimbilanja, worth 1⁄5 of an ariary and therefore equal to the franc. The ariary replaced the franc as the official currency of Madagascar on January 1, 2005.

In 1965, 1 franc (1 iraimbilanja) and 2 francs (venty sy kirobo) coins were issued, followed by 5 francs (1 ariary) in 1966 and 10 and 20 francs (2 and 4 ariary) in 1970. The term "venty sy kirobo" derives from names used in the 19th century for 1⁄6 and 1⁄4 of a silver dollar or 5 francs piece, since 1⁄6+1⁄4=5⁄12 of 5 francs is approximately 2 francs.

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The common obverse of the 1, 2 and 5 franc coins.

The design featured a poinsettia flower.

The legend translates as: ISSUING INSTITUTE OF THE MALAGASY REPUBLIC.

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Poinsettia flowers.

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The reverse design of the 1 franc coin.

It featured elements that are familiar from previous coins and from the national seal:

the head of a zebu, flanked by a rice stalk and a coffee plant sprig.


The iraimbilanja was worth one fifth of an ariary and was therefore equal to the French franc.

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The reverse design of the 2 francs coin.

It featured the same elements, though with the relevant denomination.

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The reverse of the 5 francs coin, which was first issued in 1966.

The rice stalk and coffee sprig have moved somewhat.

This allowed space for the word ARIARY in the exergue.


The 1, 2 and 5 francs coins were all made of stainless steel.

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In 1970 two new denominations were issued: 10 francs and 20 francs.

The reverse of the 10 francs coin features the standard design by Raymond Joly.

ARIARY ROA means TWO ARIARY.

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The reverse design of the 10 francs coin featured a vanilla plant.

Until now, all the designs since 1965 had been the work of Frenchman Raymond Joly.

This design was created by Madagascan artist Bernard Ramjato.

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Vanilla pods.

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The reverse of the 20 francs coin.

It features the standard design by Raymond Joly.


Like the 10 francs coin, this coin was made of aluminium-bronze.

ARIARY EFATRA means FOUR ARIARY.

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The reverse design of the 20 francs coin featured a cotton plant.

This design was created by Madagascan artist Bernard Ramjato.

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Notice the zebu's eyes and ears.

Their shape on the 10 and 20 francs coins looks slightly different than on the 1, 2 and 5 francs coins.

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Note the differences between the 10 and 20 franc reverses.

The rice stalk and coffee sprig are somewhat different.

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Here are the coin types that had been issued by 1970.

You see their relative sizes here.


Interestingly, the obverse designs include three different subjects.

However, the reverse designs show only one subject, albeit with variations.

All the subjects fit within one theme: agriculture.

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1973: A NEW DESIGN SERIES WAS PLANNED BUT ABANDONED.



Image copyright of The Royal Mint Museum.

Until now, the Paris Mint had produced Madagascar's coins. However, in 1973 Madagascar asked the Royal Mint (UK) to produce a new design series.

The initial prototype designs were impressive. Political events were now moving fast in Madagascar, though, and unfortunately the project was abandoned.

See: Unadopted Madagascar designs of 1973 by Michael Rizzello