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The Iranian rial has been facing significant economic challenges. The currency's value has been severely devalued due to high inflation and a strong US dollar.
In 2018, the Iranian economy was hit hard by US sanctions, causing a significant drop in the value of the rial. It's estimated that the currency lost over 70% of its value in just a few months.
The rial's value has been further affected by the country's high inflation rate, which has been steadily increasing over the years. As of 2020, the inflation rate was around 30%.
Iran's economy has been heavily reliant on oil exports, but the country's oil production has been declining in recent years. This has led to a significant decrease in the country's revenue and further exacerbated the economic challenges faced by the rial.
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Modern
The Iranian rial is in a precarious state, trading at a historic low of 777,000 rials to the dollar as of Wednesday.
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The sharp drop in value is a significant decline from 703,000 rials to the dollar on the day Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election in November.
Escalating regional tensions and an ongoing energy crisis in Iran are exacerbating the situation, made worse by severe winter conditions.
The rial's value is being heavily impacted by these factors, causing a lot of uncertainty for the Iranian economy.
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Understanding the Iranian Rial
One Iranian rial is made up of 100 dinars, but dinars are of no practical use because they are worth so little.
The Iranian rial is a free-floating exchange rate, meaning it's not pegged to the U.S. dollar or any currency. However, Iran's central bank implements currency controls to keep the exchange rate stable.
As of December 2023, one U.S. dollar is worth roughly 42,023 IRR, a significant drop from its value before the 1979 Islamic revolution.
The rial was reintroduced in 1932 and has since undergone significant changes, including a decision in May by Iran’s parliament to slash zeroes off each value to make it easier for consumers to carry cash, calculate prices, and make payments.
Banknotes of the Iranian rial are issued in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, and 100,000 rials, while coins circulate in denominations of 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000, 2,000, and 5,000 rials.
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History
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The Iranian Rial has a rich history that spans centuries. The rial was first introduced in 1798 as a coin worth 1,250 dinars or one-eighth of a toman.
Prior to its introduction, various currencies were used in Iran, including the dinar, which dates back to the Umayyad Caliphate. The dinar was the base unit of currency during this time.
The rial replaced the qiran at par in 1932, subdivided into 100 new dinars. This marked a significant change in the Iranian currency system.
Here's a brief overview of some of the old currencies used in Iran, their values, and the time periods during which they were issued:
The rial's history is a fascinating reflection of Iran's complex and dynamic past.
Value
The Iranian rial's value is quite unique. One rial is made up of 100 dinars, but dinars are essentially worthless.
As of December 2023, one U.S. dollar is worth roughly 42,023 IRR.
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The rial's value plummeted following the 1979 Islamic revolution. This had a significant impact on the country's economy.
Iran's central bank implements currency controls to keep the exchange rate stable. This helps prevent capital flight or investment capital from fleeing the country.
The IRR is not pegged to the U.S. dollar or any currency, meaning it's a free-floating exchange rate.
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What to Know
The Iranian rial has a long and complex history, with one rial being made up of 100 dinars, but dinars are of little practical use due to their minimal value. The rial was reintroduced in 1932 after being replaced by the qiran from 1825 to 1932.
One US dollar is currently worth around 42,023 IRR, a value that has fluctuated significantly over the years. Iran's central bank implements currency controls to keep the exchange rate stable, despite the rial not being pegged to any specific currency.
Iran is a significant player in OPEC, with a substantial portion of the government's budget coming from oil sales, which affects the value of the rial. The rial is not pegged to the US dollar or any other currency, which means it's a free-floating exchange rate.
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The new 10,000- and 20,000-rial denomination notes, introduced in July 2023, are the equivalent of the old 10 million and 20 million tomans, respectively. These notes are the result of a decision to slash zeroes off each value to make it easier for consumers to carry cash and calculate prices.
The rial has lost over 95 percent of its value since the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear deal, with the current crisis following years of economic instability.
Digital
The Digital Rial is a type of currency in Iran. It's based on the Modern Rial, according to the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can 1 dollar buy in Iran?
One US dollar can purchase approximately 821,500 Iranian Rials. This exchange rate can help you plan your expenses in Iran.
What is the Persian currency?
The official currency of Iran is the Iranian rial (IRR), subdivided into 100 dinars, although the dinar is not commonly used due to the rial's low purchasing power.
Sources
- https://www.newsweek.com/irans-currency-plummets-record-low-2002782
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_rial
- https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/irr_currency.asp
- https://www.coinworld.com/news/paper-money/iran-s-central-bank-issues-two-new-rial-denomination-notes
- https://wise.com/us/currency-converter/irr-to-usd-rate
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