Colonel William A. Phillips

The cruzado was the currency of Brazil from 1986 to 1989. It replaced the second cruzeiro (at first called the "cruzeiro novo") in 1986, at a rate of 1 cruzado = 1000 cruzeiros (novos) and was replaced in 1989 by the cruzado novo at a rate of 1000 cruzados = 1 cruzado novo.

This currency was subdivided in 100 centavos and it had the symbol and the ISO 4217 code BRC.

Coins

Standard

Stainless-steel coins were introduced in 1986 in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 centavos, and 1 and 5 cruzados, with 10 cruzados following in 1987. Coin production ceased in 1988.

Coins of the Cruzado
Reverse Obverse Value
Cz$0.01
Cz$0.05
Cz$0.10
Cz$0.20
Cz$0.50
Cz$1
Cz$5
Cz$10

Commemorative

Three designs of commemorative 100 cruzado coins, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the country (the Lei Áurea), were produced in 1988. Although very rare in circulation, the numbers' design was carried over into both Cruzado Novo and the third Cruzeiro.

Commemorative coins of the Cruzado
Reverse Obverse Value Details
Cz$100 Design portraying a man, with the word "Axé" and the words "Centenário da Abolição" ("100th anniversary of the abolition"). The years 1888 and 1988 are also inscribed.

Banknotes

The first banknotes were overprints on cruzeiro notes, in denominations of 10, 50 and 100 cruzados. Regular notes followed in denominations of 10, 50, 100 and 500 cruzados, followed by 1000 cruzados in 1987, 5000 and 10,000 cruzados in 1988.

denomination: obverse: reverse:
Cz$10
Cz$50
Cz$100
Cz$500
Cz$1000
Cz$5000
Cz$10000

References

Brazilian cruzado
Preceded by:
Cruzeiro
Reason: inflation
Ratio: 1 cruzado = 1000 cruzeiros
Currency of Brazil
28 February 1986 – 15 January 1989
Succeeded by:
Cruzado novo
Reason: inflation
Ratio: 1 cruzado novo = 1000 cruzados