# Brazilian real

> Brazilian currency since 1994

**Wikidata**: [Q173117](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q173117)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_real)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/brazilian-real

## Summary

The Brazilian real (plural: reais) is the official currency of Brazil, having served as the country's medium of exchange since July 1, 1994. It replaced the Brazilian cruzeiro real and was introduced as part of Brazil's economic stabilization plan (the Real Plan) to combat hyperinflation that had plagued the country's economy throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.

## Key Facts

- **Currency Name:** Brazilian real (ISO 4217 code: BRL)
- **Symbol:** R$
- **Inception Date:** July 1, 1994 (+1994-07-01T00:00:00Z)
- **Predecessor Currency:** Brazilian cruzeiro real (1993-1994)
- **Issuing Authority:** Banco Central do Brasil (Central Bank of Brazil)
- **Mint:** Casa da Moeda do Brasil (Brazilian Mint), founded March 8, 1694
- **Country of Origin:** Brazil
- **Sitelink Count:** 74 (Wikipedia connections)
- **Currency Class:** Generally accepted medium of exchange for goods or services
- **Parent Entity:** Brazil (country in South America)

## FAQs

**When was the Brazilian real introduced?**

The Brazilian real was introduced on July 1, 1994, replacing the Brazilian cruzeiro real as part of Brazil's economic stabilization efforts to end a period of hyperinflation.

**What mint produces the Brazilian real?**

The Brazilian real is produced by the Casa da Moeda do Brasil (Brazilian Mint), which was founded on March 8, 1694, making it one of the oldest continuously operating mints in the world.

**What currency did the Brazilian real replace?**

The Brazilian real replaced the Brazilian cruzeiro real, which served as Brazil's currency from 1993 to 1994.

**What country uses the Brazilian real?**

The Brazilian real is the official currency of Brazil, a country in South America that gained independence on September 7, 1822.

**What is the symbol for the Brazilian real?**

The Brazilian real uses the symbol "R$" to distinguish it from other currencies that use the dollar sign.

## Why It Matters

The introduction of the Brazilian real in 1994 marked one of the most significant economic milestones in Brazilian history. Prior to its introduction, Brazil experienced decades of hyperinflation, with prices sometimes doubling within days. The Real Plan, which introduced the new currency, successfully brought inflation under control and stabilized the Brazilian economy, enabling sustained economic growth and development.

The currency serves as the lifeblood of Latin America's largest economy, facilitating domestic trade, international commerce, and financial transactions for over 200 million Brazilians. As the official medium of exchange for goods and services in Brazil, the real plays a crucial role in determining purchasing power, interest rates, and economic policy decisions that affect millions of citizens and businesses daily.

The Brazilian real also holds significance in the global financial system as one of the most traded currencies in emerging markets, providing investors with a benchmark for evaluating economic conditions in South America.

## Notable For

- **Economic Stabilization:** Successfully ended Brazil's hyperinflation crisis of the early 1990s
- **Longest-Running Modern Currency:** Has been Brazil's stable currency for over 30 years (1994-present)
- **Symbol Distinction:** Uses unique "R$" symbol to avoid confusion with other dollar-denominated currencies
- **Modern Security Features:** Incorporates advanced anti-counterfeiting measures designed by the Casa da Moeda do Brasil

## Body

### History and Introduction

The Brazilian real was officially introduced on July 1, 1994, replacing the Brazilian cruzeiro real, which had only been in circulation for less than a year. The currency was the culmination of the Real Plan (Plano Real), a set of economic measures implemented by the Brazilian government under President Itamar Franco to combat the hyperinflation that had plagued the country since the 1980s.

The transition to the real represented Brazil's fifth currency reform in just over 30 years, reflecting the severity of the country's inflationary problems. Unlike previous currencies that quickly lost value, the real has maintained relative stability, becoming one of the most successful currency implementations in Brazilian history.

### Production and Minting

The Brazilian real is produced by the Casa da Moeda do Brasil, Brazil's official mint and printing press. Founded on March 8, 1694, during the colonial period under Portuguese rule, the Casa da Moeda do Brasil is one of the oldest continuously operating mints in the Americas. The mint is located in Brazil (country code ) and operates under the authority of the Brazilian government.

The mint is responsible for producing banknotes and coins, implementing security features, and ensuring the integrity of the currency supply. Over its centuries of operation, the Casa da Moeda do Brasil has evolved from producing coins for the Portuguese Empire to manufacturing modern banknotes with sophisticated anti-counterfeiting technologies.

### Geographic Context

The Brazilian real circulates exclusively in Brazil, a country in South America. Brazil occupies the eastern and central portion of the South American continent and is the largest country in both area and population in South America. Brazil gained independence from Portugal on September 7, 1822, initially as the Empire of Brazil before becoming a republic.

The currency's jurisdiction includes all Brazilian territory, from the Amazon rainforest in the north to the pampas in the south, and from the Atlantic coast to the borders with every South American country except Chile and Ecuador. This vast territory encompasses diverse economic activities, from agriculture and mining to industry and services, all conducted using the Brazilian real.

### Economic Significance

As the official currency of Brazil, the real serves as the primary medium of exchange for goods and services throughout the country. It is classified under the broader category of currencies—generally accepted mediums of exchange for goods or services.

The currency's stability since 1994 has enabled Brazil to develop more sophisticated financial markets, attract foreign investment, and establish itself as one of the world's major emerging economies. The Central Bank of Brazil uses monetary policy tools, including interest rate adjustments and foreign exchange interventions, to maintain the real's value and control inflation.

### Historical Predecessors

The Brazilian real replaced the Brazilian cruzeiro real, which itself had replaced the Brazilian cruzeiro. This succession of currencies reflects Brazil's ongoing struggle with monetary stability. The cruzeiro real was in circulation from 1993 to 1994, a brief period that marked the final attempt to address inflation before the successful introduction of the real.

Prior to the cruzeiro real, Brazil had used the cruzeiro (1942-1967), the cruzeiro novo (1967-1970), and the cruzado (1986-1989), among others, each representing attempts to simplify the currency and address economic challenges.

### Related Entities

The Brazilian real exists within a broader ecosystem of Brazilian economic and governmental institutions. The Casa da Moeda do Brasil handles physical currency production. The Banco Central do Brasil manages monetary policy and currency issuance. The Ministry of Finance oversees overall economic policy.

While not directly related to the currency itself, it's worth noting that Brazil has had various territorial and political divisions throughout its history, including the Republic of Acre (1899-1903), a short-lived separatist republic in the Amazon region, and numerous municipalities such as Água Doce in Santa Catarina state, all of which operate using the Brazilian real as their official currency.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. GF WordNet