Event
currency of the Gambia
The dalasi is the currency of The Gambia that was adopted in 1971. One dalasi is divided into one hundred bututs.
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Text from the Wikipedia article “dalasi”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The dalasi is the currency of The Gambia that was adopted in 1971. One dalasi is divided into one hundred bututs.
The dalasi 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 shillings.
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 butuut, "small thing".
In 1971, coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 bututs and 1 dalasi were introduced. The 1 and 5 bututs were struck in bronze while the 10 bututs were brass and the 25, 50 bututs and 1 dalasi were cupro-nickel. The reverse designs of the three higher denominations were taken from the corresponding denominations of the previous currency (1, 2 and 4 shillings), with the reverse designs for the lower three coins coming from the 6, 1 and 3 pence coins, respectively. All coins of this series depict former president, Sir Dawda Jawara.
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 Sir 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.
As of 7 March 2026 the mid-market rate (value) of the dalasi was 73.45 per US dollar. All of their previous currency (notes and coins) are still legal to use. However the reduced value of the dalasi has made the 1b, 5b, and 10b coins of little use. The 25b and 50b 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.
Banknotes currently in circulation are 5, 10, 20, 25, 50, 100 and 200 dalasis. 1 dalasi notes were issued between 1971 and 1987. New banknotes were first issued on 27 July 1996, then reprinted in 2001. On 27 July 2006, the Central Bank of The Gambia issued a new series of notes with images similar to the preceding issues, but with improvements in their designs, paper thickness, and security features. Most noticeably, the old white borders have been removed, giving the notes full printing of its main colours. Furthermore, the 5 and 10 dalasis are coated with a special varnish to extend circulation life. Finally, the security features of the 100 dalasis have been upgraded by the inclusion of a silver foil on the front of the note with the image of 100 embossed into the foil.
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.
In February 2018, a new series of banknotes believed to be a reprinting of the 2006–2013 issues, but with a new signature combination, was released as an interim measure to replace those with the portrait of Yahya Jammeh.
A whole new series was released during August 2019.
On 6 August 2019 a new family of banknotes was released. These notes were intended to gradually replace older notes depicting Yahya Jammeh.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Gambian dalasi”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.