Cambodian Riel
The Cambodian riel reflects one of the most extreme monetary histories in the world, where currency was abolished and later rebuilt from zero.
Quick Facts
Country: Cambodia
Code: KHR
Symbol: ៛
System: Decimal (1 Riel = 100 Sen)
Status: In circulation
Issuer: National Bank of Cambodia
The Story of the Cambodian Riel
The Cambodian riel was first introduced in 1953 following independence, replacing the Indochinese piastre and establishing national monetary sovereignty.
This system collapsed entirely during the Khmer Rouge regime (1975–1979), when money was abolished and Cambodia became one of the only modern economies to operate without currency.
Following the fall of the regime, the riel was reintroduced in 1980 as part of a complete economic reconstruction, effectively restarting the monetary system from nothing.
Today, the riel circulates alongside the US dollar in a dual-currency system, reflecting both historical disruption and ongoing economic transition.
Design & Symbolism
Cambodian banknotes combine royal authority, sacred architecture and national reconstruction into a cohesive visual system. Portraits of King Norodom Sihanouk and King Norodom Sihamoni anchor the currency in continuity and state identity.
Reverse designs prominently feature Angkor Wat, Bayon and other Khmer architectural landmarks, reinforcing cultural heritage as a central theme.
Modern issues expand this narrative to include infrastructure, bridges and economic development, reflecting Cambodia’s recovery and modernization.
Security features are integrated through detailed engraving, watermark portraits and advanced printing techniques, supporting both durability and visual clarity.
For collectors
For collectors, the Cambodian riel offers one of the most dramatic and clearly defined collecting structures in world numismatics.
The key division lies between pre-1975 issues, representing Cambodia’s classical monetary system, and post-1980 notes, which document the complete reconstruction of the currency after its abolition.
The most significant rarity is the unissued 1975 Khmer Rouge banknote series—printed but never circulated—making it one of the most sought-after non-circulating issues globally.
For collectors, the riel stands as a unique case where currency is not only a medium of exchange, but evidence of its own disappearance and revival, creating a collecting field defined by historical extremity and rarity.
From total abolition to full reconstruction, the riel reflects Cambodia’s most extreme monetary transformation.