Central Bank of Uruguay Banknotes

The Central Bank of Uruguay (Banco Central del Uruguay) operates as the central monetary authority overseeing a currency system shaped by transitional overprints and recent polymer adoption.

Quick Facts

Country: Uruguay

Currency: Uruguayan Peso, Old Uruguayan Peso, Uruguayan Nuevo Peso

Local name: Banco Central del Uruguay

Institutional Identity

The Bank operates as Uruguay’s central monetary authority, managing inflation, supervising financial institutions, and issuing currency within a system shaped by repeated redenominations and long-term stabilization policies.

Historical Evolution

Established in 1967, the Bank oversaw major monetary reforms, most notably the 1993 transition to the peso uruguayo, which is particularly famous for its provisional overprinted (surcharged) notes—where older Nuevo Peso banknotes were stamped with new denominations before full replacement designs were issued.

Design Philosophy

Modern Uruguayan banknotes combine classical engraved portraiture with technological advancement, marked by the breakthrough 2017 commemorative 50 Peso polymer note—issued for the Bank’s 50th anniversary—which introduced a vertical polymer format and set the foundation for subsequent high-security issues.

For collectors

For collectors, the Central Bank of Uruguay offers a distinctive dual appeal, from the visually striking 1993 overprint notes to the elegant fusion of art and innovation in modern series, often featuring national artists such as Juan Manuel Blanes, creating a refined and highly aesthetic collecting pathway.