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The Angolan kwanza is the currency of Angola

Since 1977, four different currencies using the name kwanza have circulated. The first kwanza, AOK, lasted from 1977 to 1990. The novo kwanza, AON, was introduced in 1990 and lasted until 1995. The kwanza reajustado, AOR, was in use from 1995 to 1999. The second kwanza, AOA, was introduced in 1999 and is still in use today.

The first kwanza coins issued did not have a date of issue but bore the date of independence: "11 de Novembro de 1975". They were in denominations of 50 lwei, 1, 2, 5, and 10 kwanzas. The 20 kwanza coin was added in 1978.

The first banknotes of the kwanza were introduced by the Banco Nacional de Angola (National Bank of Angola) on 8 January 1977. These were in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 kwanzas. The 20 kwanza note was replaced by a coin in 1978.

The novo kwanza replaced the first kwanza at par in 1990, but Angolans could only exchange 5% of their old notes for new ones; the rest had to be exchanged for government securities. This currency suffered from high inflation and was only issued in note form.

The kwanza reajustado replaced the novo kwanza in 1995 at a rate of 1,000 to 1. Inflation continued, and no coins were issued. The smallest denomination of banknote issued was 1000 kwanzas reajustados due to the low value of the old kwanza.

The second kwanza was introduced in 1999 and replaced the kwanza reajustado at a rate of 1,000,000 to 1. This currency was subdivided into 100 cêntimos and saw the reintroduction of coins. While it suffered from high inflation early on, its value stabilised until 2016 when it started devaluing again.

The kwanza derives its name from the Kwanza River

The kwanza is the currency of Angola. It derives its name from the Kwanza River, also written as Cuanza, Coanza, or Quanza. The kwanza was introduced following Angola's independence from Portugal. It replaced the Portuguese escudo at par and was subdivided into 100 lwei. The first kwanza, with the ISO 4217 code AOK, was in circulation from 1977 to 1990.

The kwanza currency has undergone several changes since its introduction. In 1990, the novo kwanza was introduced, with the ISO 4217 code AON. This currency suffered from high inflation, and Angolans could only exchange 5% of their old notes for new ones. From 1995 to 1999, the kwanza reajustado (plural kwanzas reajustados) replaced the previous kwanza at a rate of 1,000 to 1. This currency also experienced continued inflation, and no coins were issued.

In 1999, a second currency was introduced, simply called the kwanza. It replaced the kwanza reajustado at a rate of 1,000,000 to 1. This new kwanza is subdivided into 100 cêntimos, and the introduction of this currency saw the reintroduction of coins. While it initially suffered from high inflation, its value stabilised until 2016, when the currency started devaluing again.

The kwanza has played an important role in Angola's economy, with four different currencies using the name circulating since 1977. The banknotes of the kwanza have featured significant aspects of Angola's history, culture, and geography, including the Kapanda hydroelectric dam on the Kwanza River.

Four different currencies using the name kwanza have circulated since 1977

The kwanza is the currency of Angola. Four different currencies using the name kwanza have circulated since 1977:

First Kwanza (AOK) 1977-1990

The first kwanza was introduced following Angola's independence. It replaced the escudo at par and was subdivided into 100 lwei. Its ISO 4217 code was AOK. The first coins issued for the kwanza currency bore the date of independence, "11 de Novembro de 1975", and were in denominations of 50 lwei, 1, 2, 5 and 10 kwanzas. 20 kwanza coins were added in 1978.

Novo Kwanza (AON) 1990-1995

In 1990, the novo kwanza was introduced, with the ISO 4217 code AON. It replaced the kwanza at par, but Angolans could only exchange 5% of their old notes for new ones; they had to exchange the rest for government securities. This kwanza suffered from high inflation. The first banknotes were issued in denominations of 50, 500, 1000 and 5000 novos kwanzas.

Kwanza Reajustado (AOR) 1995-1999

In 1995, the kwanza reajustado replaced the previous kwanza at a rate of 1,000 to 1. It had the ISO 4217 code AOR. The inflation continued and no coins were issued. The smallest denomination of banknote issued was 1000 kwanzas reajustados.

Second Kwanza (AOA) 1999-

In 1999, a second currency was introduced, simply called the kwanza. It replaced the kwanza reajustado at a rate of 1,000,000 to 1. Unlike the first kwanza, this currency is subdivided into 100 cêntimos. The introduction of this currency saw the reintroduction of coins. Although it suffered early on from high inflation, its value became stable until 2016, when the currency started devaluing again.

The kwanza was introduced following Angolan independence

The kwanza was introduced in 1977 following Angola's independence from Portugal. The kwanza replaced the Portuguese escudo and was subdivided into 100 lwei. The ISO 4217 code for the first kwanza was AOK.

The first kwanza coins issued did not bear any date of issue, but all featured the date of independence: "11 de Novembro de 1975". These coins were in denominations of 50 lwei, 1, 2, 5, and 10 kwanzas. In 1978, 20 kwanza coins were added.

On January 8, 1977, the Banco Nacional de Angola introduced banknotes dated "11 DE NOVEMBRO DE 1975" in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 kwanzas. The 20 kwanza note was replaced by a coin in 1978.

Since the introduction of the first kwanza, three additional currencies using the name kwanza have circulated in Angola. These are the novo kwanza (1990-1995), the kwanza reajustado (1995-1999), and the second kwanza (1999-present). The second kwanza reintroduced coins, which had not been minted previously due to inflation.

The kwanza had a remarkably stable exchange rate of 29.918 kwanzas to the U.S. dollar for the entire period

The kwanza is the currency of Angola, deriving its name from the Kwanza River. Four different currencies using the name kwanza have circulated since 1977, when it was introduced following Angola's independence from Portugal. The kwanza replaced the escudo at par and was subdivided into 100 lwei.

The first kwanza, with the ISO 4217 code AOK, was in use from 1977 to 1990. This kwanza had a remarkably stable exchange rate of 29.918 kwanzas to the U.S. dollar for the entire period. This meant that for one U.S. dollar, one would receive 29.918 kwanzas. This exchange rate remained constant, which is unusual for a currency over such a long period.

The first coins issued in this currency did not have a date of issue, but all featured the date of independence: "11 de Novembro de 1975" (November 11, 1975). The denominations of these first coins were 50 lwei, 1, 2, 5, and 10 kwanzas. In 1978, a 20 kwanza coin was introduced, and 1979 was the last date to appear on these coins.

On January 8, 1977, the Banco Nacional de Angola (National Bank of Angola) introduced banknotes in denominations of 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000 kwanzas. These notes also bore the date of independence, "11 DE NOVEMBRO DE 1975." The 20 kwanza note was replaced by a coin in 1978.

The first kwanza was replaced by the novo kwanza in 1990, which suffered from high inflation. This was followed by the kwanza reajustado in 1995, which continued to experience inflation. In 1999, the second kwanza was introduced, bringing back the use of coins.

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