Honduran lempira


The lempira is the currency of Honduras. It is subdivided into 100 centavos.

Etymology

The lempira was named after the 16th-century cacique Lempira, a ruler of the indigenous Lenca people, who is renowned in Honduran folklore for leading the local native resistance against the Spanish conquistador forces. He is a national hero, and is honoured on both the 1 lempira note and the 20 and 50 centavos coins.

History

The lempira was introduced in 1931, replacing the peso at par. In the late 1980s, the exchange rate was two lempiras to the United States dollar. As of March 1, 2019, the lempira was quoted at 24.35 HNL to 1 USD.

Coins

In 1931, coins were introduced in denominations of 5, 20 & 50 centavos, and 1 lempira. One-, 2- and 10-centavos coins were added in 1935, 1939 and 1932, respectively. The silver 1-lempira coins ceased production in 1937, with the other silver coins replaced by cupro-nickel in 1967. The 1- and 2-centavos coins were last minted in 1998 and 1974, respectively.
Coins currently in circulation are
The Bank of Honduras and the Banco Atlantida issued the first lempira banknotes in 1932. They were in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 lempiras. The Central Bank of Honduras took over production of paper money in 1950, introducing 50 and 100 lempiras notes in 1950, followed by the 500-lempiras note in 1995.
In January, 2010, a new 20-lempira note was introduced to market made by a polymer base, 60 million notes were issued.
Banknotes in circulation are
ImageNewValueColorDimensionsObverseReverse
L1Red156 × 67 mmLempiraCopán
L2Purple156 × 67 mmMarco Aurelio SotoAmapala
L5Gray156 × 67 mmFrancisco MorazánBattle of 'La Trinidad'
L10Brown156 × 67 mmJosé Trinidad CabañasUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras
L20Green156 × 67 mmDionisio de HerreraPresidential palace
L50Blue156 × 67 mmJuan Manuel GálvezCentral Bank of Honduras
L100Orange156 × 67 mmJosé Cecilio del ValleCasa Valle
L500Violet156 × 67 mmRamón RosaSan Juancito

Exchange rates