The dalasi is the currency of The Gambia that was adopted in 1971. It is subdivided into 100 bututs. It replaced the Gambian pound at a rate of 1 pound per 5 dalasis, i.e. 1 dalasi equalling 0.2 pound or 4 .
The derivative of dala is unknown. In numerous languages in the Francophonie, currency terms (including batut, dalasi, doromi, teemer) refer to the former 5 French West African franc note (the lowest denomination at the time), but to which the origins are not known. One speculated origin is a pronunciation of "dollar"; however, variants of dalasi in other Mandinka dialects (such as daasi) counter this speculation while butut is from Wolof language butuut, "small thing".
As a result of inflation, butut coins have completely disappeared from circulation and the minimum monetary unit has become 50 butut.
Rounding methods for the butut were described in an article published in the 1986 issue of the recreational mathematical journal Eureka, in connection with Gambian mathematical education and its relation to counting coins; individual bututs were described as having no commercial significance, while other coins were colloquially referred to using old British nomenclature.
New 1 dalasi coins were introduced in 1987, modeled on the 50 pence coin of the United Kingdom. These replaced the larger, round dalasi coins which never saw its widespread use as the lower denominations.
In 1998, a new coin series was introduced, in which the effigy of Dawda Jawara was dropped and replaced with the national coat of arms on the obverses. However, older Jawara-era coins still commonly circulate as legal tender. The 1 dalasi coin was also downsized in size and mass, but none of the other coins were changed. Only 25 and 50 bututs and 1 dalasi coins are currently in circulation, they are of the 1998 issue which also included 1, 5 and 10 bututs coins but have since disappeared due to their low value.
According to the situation for 2019, bututs coins have completely disappeared due to their low value, the minimum monetary unit has become 1 dalasi.
), the reference rate (value) of the dalasi was 48 per US dollar or about 2 cents US. All of their previous currency (notes and coins) is still legal to use. However the reduced value of the dalasi has made the 1b, 5b, and 10b coins of little use. The 25b (about half a cent) and 50b (about 1 cent) are of limited use as prices tend to be set in dalasi. The 1 dalasi coin is still in use to make change for the 5 dalasi (ten cents) banknote.
A polymer commemorative 20 Dalasis was also put into circulation to commemorate 20 years of then-President Yahya Jammeh's rule.
On 15 April 2015, the Central Bank of The Gambia released a new family of banknotes that includes two new denominations, a 20 dalasis note to replace the 25 dalasis and a 200 dalasis note, twice the value of the previously highest denomination. All of the notes feature a portrait of Yahya Jammeh. Gambia new dalasi note family confirmed BanknoteNews.com. April 26, 2015. Retrieved on 2015-04-27.
In February 2018, a new series of banknotes believed to be a reprinting of the 2006–2013 issues, but with a new signature combination, will be released as an interim measure to replace those with the portrait of Yahya Jammeh.
A whole new series is being released during June 2019.
5 dalasis | Red | Giant kingfisher; girl | Cattle | 2006 | ||
10 dalasis | Green | Sacred ibis; boy | Central Bank of The Gambia headquarters, Banjul | 2006 | ||
25 dalasis | Blue | Northern carmine bee-eater; man | Government House, Banjul | 2006 | ||
50 dalasis | Light purple | ; woman | Wassu stone circles | 2006 | ||
100 dalasis | Cyan | Senegal parrot, old man | Arch 22 monument, Banjul | 2006 | ||
5 dalasis | Red | Giant kingfisher; President Yahya Jammeh | Cattle | 2015 | ||
10 dalasis | Green | Sacred ibis; President Yahya Jammeh | Central Bank of The Gambia headquarters, Banjul | 2015 | ||
20 dalasis | Blue | Northern carmine bee-eater; President Yahya Jammeh | Government House, Banjul | 2015 | ||
50 dalasis | Light purple | Hoopoe birds; President Yahya Jammeh | Wassu stone circles | 2015 | ||
100 dalasis | Cyan | Senegal parrot, President Yahya Jammeh | Arch 22 monument, Banjul | 2015 | ||
200 dalasis | Light brown | President Yahya Jammeh | Banjul International Airport | 2015 | ||
5 dalasis | Red | Giant kingfisher; Coat of arms of the Gambia | Cattle | 2019 | ||
10 dalasis | Green | Vinaceous Dove; Coat of arms of the Gambia | Ferry "Kinta Kinteh" | 2019 | ||
20 dalasis | Blue | Northern Grey-headed Sparrow; Coat of arms of the Gambia | Agricultural machine | 2019 | ||
50 dalasis | Purple | African Eagle Hawk; Coat of arms of the Gambia | Wassu stone circles | 2019 | ||
100 dalasis | Cyan | Black crowned cranes; Coat of arms of the Gambia | Fishermen | 2019 | ||
200 dalasis | Orange | Double-spurred spurfowl; Coat of arms of the Gambia | Rice planting | 2019 |
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