Coins of Mauritius

The currency of Mauritius was Mauritius rupee. Mauritius coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 cents was introduced in 1877 with lower three denominations in copper and the higher two in silver. In 1899 Mauritius coins production ceased and did not commence until 1911, with Mauritius silver coins not produced again until 1934 when ¼, ½ and Mauritius one rupee coins were introduced. Copper-nickel 10 cents were introduced in 1947 with the metal replacing silver.

A new set of coins and banknotes were introduced by the Royal Mint in 1971. They had an image of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and a range of heraldic motives on the reverse. A new series of coins was introduced in 1987 which did not feature the portrait of the monarch (Mauritius did not become a republic until 1992) but that of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. These Mauritius coins included copper-plated-steel 1 and 5 cents (the 5 cents was substantially reduced in size), nickel-plated-steel 20 cents and ½ rupee, and cupro-nickel 1 and 5 rupees.

Mauritius 10 rupees copper-nickel coin was introduced in 1997. Mauritius coins currently in circulation are the 5 cents, 20 cents, ½ rupee, 1, 5, 10 and 20 rupees. Coins below 1 Mauritius Rupee in value are generally regarded as ‘supermarket’ small-change. The 1 cent Mauritius coin has not been seen in circulation for many years, and the last series of 1 cent Mauritius coins issued in 1987 are only seen as collector’s items.

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