Brazil’s New R$200 Bill Is for “Real”

From time to time we get questions about Brazilian currency. Perhaps a loved one recently passed away and you found a stash of cash in a safety deposit box. I mean, a lot of cash. Yet when you go to the bank to exchange it for dollars, the teller won’t accept it. Why not?

Brazil has seen its fair share of currency changes over the years. Starting in 1942, the cruzeiro replaced the original real. Then, in 1967, the cruzeiro was replaced by the cruzeiro novo. In 1990, the name cruzeiro reappeared for yet another new currency. Three years later, the cruzeiro was replaced with the cruzeiro real. And finally, in 1994, the real replaced the cruzeiro real. And that’s not even all of the changes. Today, it’s all about the real.

No wonder why people get confused when talking about Brazil’s currency. For the most part, cruzeiros are out of circulation, but every so often you might come across them. The good news is that you can disregard everything but the real. Even bills of 500,000 cruzeiros have no value today despite seeming like you won the lottery.

One recent change, however, is worth noting, and it relates to the real. Brazil introduced a new banknote worth 200 reais (R$200) yesterday. It’s the largest bill currently in circulation in Brazil and worth about US$40. So don’t be shocked the next time someone hands you a fancy new banknote with a 200 on it. You can take it - it’s for real.