Code MRO Symbol UM | 1/5 khoums Freq. used 5, 10, 20, 50 ouguiya | |
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Banknotes 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 ouguiya Rarely used 1 khoums (⅕ Ouguiya), 1 ouguiya | ||
The ouguiya (sign: UM; Arabic: أوقية; currency code: MRO), also spelt "ougiya", is the currency of Mauritania. It is one of two circulating currencies, along with the Malagasy ariary, whose division units are not based on a power of ten, each ouguiya comprising five khoums (singular and plural in English, Arabic: خمس, meaning "one fifth").
Contents
The ouguiya was introduced in 1973, replacing the CFA franc at a rate of 1 ouguiya = 5 francs.
Coins
In 1973, ⅕ (1 khoums), 1, 5, 10 and 20 ouguiya coins were introduced. This was the only year that the khoums was minted, as the ouguiya was worth five CFA Francs a khoums was the equivalent of the franc (which had no subdivision). The most recent issues were in 2003 (1 ouguiya) and 2004 (other denominations). Coins are minted at the Kremnica mint in Slovakia. The coinage slightly changed in 2009, with a reduced 1 ouguiya in plated composition and a bi-metallic 20 ouguiya issued. A bi-metallic 50 ouguiya was issued December 2010.
Numismatic information
Within Nouakchott, the nation's capital, most coins are in fine to very fine condition; banknotes of 100 and 200 ouguiya tend to be in poor to fair condition, larger denominations are in fine to extremely fine condition.
The Central Bank is unhelpful in providing new condition coins and banknotes. Some interest in setting up a numismatic program exists, however.