The colón (plural: colones; sign: ₡; code: CRC) is the currency of Costa Rica. It was named after Christopher Columbus, known as Cristóbal Colón in Spanish. A colón is divided into one hundred céntimos.

Symbol The symbol for the colón is a capital letter "C" crossed by two diagonal strokes. The symbol is encoded at and may be typed on many English language Microsoft Windows keyboards using the keystrokes +.

The colón sign is not to be confused with , or with the Ghanaian cedi, . Nonetheless, the commonly available cent symbol '¢' is frequently used locally to designate the colón in price markings and advertisements.

History The colón was introduced in 1896, replacing the peso at par. The colón is divided into 100 céntimos, although, between 1917 and 1919, coins were issued using the name centavo for the 1/100 subunit of the colón. Colones were issued by a variety of banks in the first half of the twentieth century, but since 1951 have been produced solely by the Central Bank of Costa Rica. The currency was subject to a crawling peg against the United States dollar from 2006 to 2015, but has been floating within a band allowed by the Costa Rican central bank since then.

Coins First coins, 1897–1917

Because the colón replaced the peso at par, there was no immediate need for new coins in 1896. In 1897, gold 2, 5, 10 and 20 colones were issued, followed by silver 50 centimos, and followed by cupro-nickel 2 centimos in 1903 and silver 5 and 10 centimos in 1905. The 5 and 10 centimos bore the initials G.C.R., indicating that they were issues of the government.

Centavo, 1917–1919 In 1917, coins were issued in denominations of 5 and 10 centavos rather than centimos. 50 centavo coins were minted but not issued (see below). All bore the G.C.R. initials.

Issued by the Government, 1920–1941 The issuance of centimo coins by the government (still indicated by the initials G.C.R.) was resumed in 1920, with 5 and 10 centimos issued. In 1923, silver 25 and 50 centimos from the peso currency, along with the unissued 50 centavos from 1917 and 1918, were issued with counterstamps which doubled their values to 50 centimos and 1 colón.

In 1925, silver 25 centimo coins were introduced. The last government issued coins were brass 10 centimos issued between 1936 and 1941.

Issued by the Banco Internacional, 1935 In 1935, the International Bank of Costa Rica issued cupro-nickel coins in denominations of 25 and 50 centimos and 1 colón. These bore the initials B.I.C.R.

Banco Nacional, 1937–1948 In 1937, the National Bank introduced coins in denominations of 25 and 50 centimos and 1 colón which bore the initials B.N.C.R. These were followed by 5 and 10 centimos in 1942 and 2 colones in 1948.

Banco Central, 1951–present In 1951, the Central Bank took over coin issuance using the initials B.C.C.R. while introducing 5 and 10 centimo coins. These were followed by 1 and 2 colones in 1954, 50 centimos in 1965 and 25 centimos in 1967. In 1982–1983, 5 and 10 centimo coins were discontinued, the sizes of the 25 centimo to 2 colón coins were reduced and 5, 10 and 20 colón coins were introduced. Between 1995 & 1998, smaller, brass 1, 5 and 10 colón coins were introduced and coins for 25, 50 & 100 colones were added. 500 colones followed in 2003. Aluminium 5 and 10 colones were introduced in 2006. Coins of 1 colón are no longer found in circulation. In 2009 the larger, silver-coloured ₡5, ₡10 & ₡20 were gradually withdrawn leaving the small, lighter, ₡5 and ₡10 and the gold-coloured ₡5, ₡10, ₡25, ₡50, ₡100 & ₡500 coins circulating. At the end of 2019, the production of ₡5 coins ceased but remained in circulation.

In 2021, a smaller bimetallic ₡500 coin was introduced to commemorate the bicentennial of Costa Rican independence.

On July 1, 2025, the ₡50 and ₡500 coins of the old series were demonetized. The ₡5, ₡10, and ₡25 coins of the old series ceased to be legal tender on July 1, 2026, making the ₡10 coin the smallest tenderable amount in cash.

+BCCR coin series Denomination Years Composition Shape DiameterWeight Standard Catalog of World Coins Obverse Reverse Image₡11998Aluminium-BronzeCircular15 mm2.8gKM# 233National coat of arms and year of issueFace value₡51995Bronze plated Stainless Steel21.5 mm4gKM# 2271997, 1999Aluminium-BronzeKM#227a; KM# 227a.12001BrassKM# 227a.22005, 2008, 2012, 2016Aluminium0.9gKM# 227b₡10 1995 (Retired) Brass plated Steel 23.5 mm5g KM# 228.1150px 1997, 1999, 2002 (Retired) Aluminium-Bronze 24 mm KM# 228a.1; KM# 228a.2; KM# 228.2150px 2005, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2018 Aluminum 23.5 mm1.1g KM# 228b150px2021Stainless Steel3.5gN/a ₡25 1995 Brass plated Steel 25.5 mm7g KM# 229150px 2001, 2003, 2005 Aluminium-Bronze KM# 229a; KM# 229b150px 2007, 2014, 2017 Brass plated Steel KM# 229c150px ₡50 1997, 1999 Aluminium-Bronze 27.5 mm8g KM# 231.1a150px 2002150px 2006, 2007, 2012, 2015, 2017 Brass plated Steel KM# 231.1b150px ₡100 1995 Circular 29.5 mm9g KM# 230150px 1997, 1998, 1999 Aluminium-Bronze KM#230a; KM#230a.1150px 2000 KM# 240150px 2006, 2007, 2014, 2017, 2021 Brass plated Steel KM# 240a150px₡500 2003, 2005 Aluminium-Bronze Circular 33 mm11g KM# 239.1; KM# 239.2150px 2006, 2007, 2015 Brass plated Steel Circular 33 mm11g KM# 239.1a150px 2021 CuNiZn ring; Copper-Nickel core 28 mm10.5g KM# 241 Face Value Outline of the map of Costa Rica and motif commemorating the bicentennial of independence150px2023N/aTwo coats of arms divided by a ribbon. Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the Republic of Costa Rica.

Banknotes Private bank issues, 1896–1914 Four private banks, the Banco Anglo–Costarricense, the Banco Comercial de Costa Rica, the Banco de Costa Rica and the Banco Mercantil de Costa Rica, issued notes between 1864 and 1917.

The Banco Anglo–Costarricense was established in 1864 and issued notes from 1864 to 1917. It later became a state-owned bank and in 1994 went bankrupt and closed. Notes were issued in denominations of 1, 25, 50, and 100 pesos as well as 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 colones. Some 1, 5, 10 and 20 colones notes (unsigned and undated) were released in 1963 when the bank celebrated its 100th anniversary. Some had Muestra sin Valor ("sample without value") printed on them in order to nullify the legal tender status and to prevent people from selling them. Most, however, didn't have that printed on them, which makes it harder nowadays to find notes with the seal. 1 colón, 19175 colones, 191x10 colones, 191x20 colones, 191x

The Banco de Costa Rica was established in 1890 and issued notes from 1890 to 1914. It is currently a state-owned bank. Notes were issued in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 100 pesos as well as 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 colones. 1 peso, 18995 colones, 190x10 colones, 190x20 colones, 1906

The Banco Comercial de Costa Rica issued notes between 1906 and 1914 in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 colones.

The Banco Mercantil de Costa Rica issued notes between 1910 and 1916, also in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 colones.

Government issues, 1897–1917 The government issued gold certificates in 1897 for 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 colones. Between 1902 and 1917, it issued silver certificates for 50 centimos, 1, 2, 50 and 100 colones.

Banco Internacional, 1914–1936 In 1914, the Banco Internacional de Costa Rica introduced notes in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 colones, to which 25 and 50 centimos, 1 and 2 colones were added in 1918. Although 25 centimos were not issued after 1919, the other denominations continued to be issued until 1936. After 1917, the Banco Internacional's notes were the only issued for circulation.

Banco Nacional, 1937–1949 In 1937, the Banco Nacional de Costa Rica took over paper money issuing and issued notes for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 colones until 1949. Many of the early notes were provisional issues overprinted on notes of the Banco Internacional, including the 1 colón notes which were briefly issued.

Banco Central, 1950– The Banco Central de Costa Rica began issuing paper money in 1950, with notes for 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 colones. The first notes were provisional issues produced from Banco Nacional notes (unsigned and undated). The Central Bank printed on them the corresponding signatures and dates, and the legend "BANCO CENTRAL DE COSTA RICA" over "BANCO NACIONAL DE COSTA RICA". Regular issues of notes began in 1951, but a second provisional issue of 2 colones notes was made in 1967. 1,000 colones notes were added in 1958, followed by 500 colones in 1973, 5,000 colones in 1992, 2,000 and 10,000 colones in 1997, and 20,000 and 50,000 colones in 2011.

2 colones, 1967100 colones, 19545 colones, 19721,000 colones, 1973 + Current circulating banknotes (2011 series) Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse 1,000 colones 125 mm x 67 mm Red Braulio Carrillo Colina/1840-1842 Costa Rican coat of arms Dry forest - Guanacaste tree, White-tailed deer, Costa Rican nightblooming cactus 2,000 colones 132 mm x 67 mm Blue Mauro Fernández Acuña/Colegio Superior de Señoritas Coral reef - Bull shark, Red cushion sea star, Slimy Sea Plume 5,000 colones 139 mm x 67 mm Yellow Alfredo González Flores; Banco International de Costa Rica building in San José Mangrove swamp - White-headed capuchin monkey, mangrove crab, Red mangrove 10,000 colones 146 mm x 67 mm Green José Figueres Ferrer, Abolition of the Army Rainforest - Brown-throated sloth, cup fungi, Eriopsis orchid 20,000 colones 153 mm x 67 mm Orange Maria Isabel Carvajal (alias Carmen Lyra); outline of Costa Rica, rabbit stroking a wolf – from Lyra's "Cuentos De Mi Tía Panchita" (Tales of My Aunt Panchita) Paramo - Volcano hummingbird, Senecio oerstedianus sunflower, and coffee plants250px250px 50,000 colones 160 mm x 67 mm Violet Ricardo Jimenez Oreamuno, Supreme Court (San José) Cloud forest - parasol mushroom, Bromelia flower, Morpho butterfly

+ Current circulating banknotes (2018–2019 series) Image Value Dimensions Main Colour Description Obverse Reverse Obverse Reverse 1,000 colones 125 mm x 67 mm Red Braulio Carrillo Colina/1840-1842 Costa Rican coat of arms Dry forest - Guanacaste tree, White-tailed deer, Costa Rican nightblooming cactus 2,000 colones 132 mm x 67 mm Blue Mauro Fernández Acuña/Colegio Superior de Señoritas Coral reef - Bull shark, Red cushion sea star, Slimy Sea Plume 5,000 colones 139 mm x 67 mm Yellow Alfredo González Flores; Banco International de Costa Rica building in San José Mangrove swamp - White-headed capuchin monkey, mangrove crab, Red mangrove 10,000 colones 146 mm x 67 mm Green José Figueres Ferrer, Abolition of the Army Rainforest - Brown-throated sloth, cup fungi, Eriopsis orchid 20,000 colones 153 mm x 67 mm Orange Maria Isabel Carvajal (alias Carmen Lyra); outline of Costa Rica, rabbit stroking a wolf – from Lyra's "Cuentos De Mi Tía Panchita" (Tales of My Aunt Panchita) Paramo - Volcano hummingbird, Senecio oerstedianus sunflower, and coffee plants

Whenever a banknote of a specific denomination is changed (design, security features, colour, etc.), a new series is released. Prior to the most recent series, every banknote issued by this bank measures approximately 6.7 cm x 15.6 cm. Every note also has the serial and series numbers printed in red ink. Exceptions occurred with: 2 colones provisional issue: black 5 colones provisional issue: orange 10 colones provisional issue: blue 500 colones series B: black 1,000 colones series A issue: dark blue

Every issue also features the signatures, date, and the agreement number printed in black.

Banknote reform In 2011 and 2012, Costa Rican banknotes underwent a reform and were replaced by a new series, with each banknote a different color and size. Two new denominations were introduced as part of the reform; 20,000 and 50,000 colones.Articles on Costa Rica BanknoteNews.com The old notes are redeemable at the Central Bank of Costa Rica, but have been replaced with the newer models.