Description
Ecuadorian centavo coins were introduced in 2000 when Ecuador converted its currency from the sucre to the U.S. dollar The coins are in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 centavos and are identical in size and value to their U.S. cent counterparts (although the U.S. 50-cent coin counterpart is not often seen in circulation). They circulate within Ecuador alongside coins and banknotes from the USA. Although U.S. $1 coins are rarely used in the U.S., they are commonly used in Ecuador. Ecuador managed to introduce a $1 coin (Un sucre) but finally decided to not release in common circulation, only in 2000 coin sets.
Ecuadorian centavos bear the numeric value along with the value spelled out in Spanish, and the legend of the Banco Central del Ecuador; the reverse is printed with the portrait and name of a notable Ecuadorian, the legend “República del Ecuador” and the country’s coat of arms.