Coinage of Madagascar

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The reverse of the 20 ariary coin of 1992.

The same design was retained on the coin's reverse.

The new coin weighed 9.15 g and had a diameter of 28 mm.

The round type had weighed 12 g, having a diameter of 30.5 mm.


Following world trends, the coinage was now becoming smaller.

It was also being minted in less expensive metals.

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Obverse of the 50 ariary coin of 1992.

Also in 1992, a new denomination was added to the coinage.

The 50 ariary was made of steel and was 11-sided.

The coin weighed 10.15 g and was 30 mm in diameter.

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The reverse of the 50 ariary coin of 1992.

The reverse design depicted an avenue of baobab trees.

It is a beautiful design, which was created by the Royal Canadian Mint.

RCM never reveals the designer names of its overseas coins.


Unlike the reverse of the 5, 10 and 20 ariary coins, it had no bead circle.

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Baobab trees.

From Wikipedia:

Adansonia grandidieri, sometimes known as Grandidier's baobab, is the biggest and most famous of Madagascar's six species of baobabs. This imposing and unusual tree is endemic to the island of Madagascar, where it is an endangered species threatened by the encroachment of agricultural land.

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Madagascar seal, 1993 to 1998.

Towards the end of 1992, the Third Republic of Madagascar was declared.

This followed the dissolution of the socialist regime.

The country now adopted a new national seal and a new motto:

Tanindrazana, Fahafahana, Fandrosoana - "Fatherland, Freedom, Progress".

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Obverse of the 20 ariary coin of 1994.

In 1994 the first coin type was issued with the country's new title and motto: the 20 ariary.

Previously the obverse legend gave the country name as REPOBLIKA DEMOKRATIKA MALAGASY.

That translates as "Malagasy Democratic Republic".


Now the country name was shown as REPOBLIKAN'I MADAGASIKARA.

That translates as "Republic of Madagascar".

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The reverse of the 20 ariary coin of 1994.

The reverse of the 20 ariary coin featured the new national motto.

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Obverse of the 5 francs coin of 1996.

The next coins with amended legends were issued in 1996.

The obverse of the 5 francs coin of 1996 was amended.

The legend now read: BANKY FOIBEN'I MADAGASIKARA.

This translates as "Central Bank of Madagascar".


See also:  Issuing authorities named on coins.

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The reverse of the 5 francs coin of 1996 remained unchanged.

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Here is the obverse of the 10 francs coin of 1996.

It showed a similarly amended legend.

The legend now read as: BANKY FOIBEN'I MADAGASIKARA.

The reverse of the coin remained unchanged.

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Here you see the obverse of the 5 ariary coin of 1996.

Its legend now also referred to the Central Bank instead of the Republic.

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Here you see the reverse of the 5 ariary coin of 1996.

It featured the new national motto for the first time.

Otherwise, the pictorial design remained unchanged.

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The final amended coin type of 1996 was the 50 ariary.

The obverse now referred to the Republic of Madagascar.

Previously, it referred to the Democratic Malagasy Republic.

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The reverse of the 50 ariary coin of 1996.

The coin carried the new national motto for the first time.

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In 1998 the seal and emblem of Madagascar were changed yet again.

The new motto was "Tanindrazana, Fahafahana, Fandrosoana".

This translates as "Fatherland, Freedom, Progress".