Serbia celebrates 150 years of dinar as its national currency

BELGRADE - Serbia is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the dinar as its national currency, a testimony to the stability and resilience of the national economy, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) said in a statement.

"The Serbian dinar began its journey on December 12, 1873, when it became the official Serbian currency, with the adoption of the Law on Minting the Serbian Silver Currency, i.e. when it was introduced as the legal tender of the Principality of Serbia," the central bank said.

"Over the course of 150 years, the dinar witnessed the transformation of Serbia, from a principality to a kingdom, through the turbulent times of the common state of Yugoslavia, and finally into the modern Republic of Serbia. On this path, the Serbian dinar has remained a constant and a symbol of the progress of our nation and a reflection of our national identity and heritage. Banknotes and coins bear the images of our historical figures, landmarks and cultural symbols, reminding us of our rich history and cultural heritage. They serve as a reminder of our collective achievements and the values ​​that define us as a people," it said.

“Celebrating this anniversary, I proudly point out the stability of our currency over the last decade - today the dinar is a symbol of Serbia’s monetary and overall economic stability and a currency that attracts an increasing number of investors from different parts of the world.

Ever since I came to the helm of the National Bank of Serbia in 2012, the stability of the dinar has had no alternative, because it is the point where the interests of all economic actors meet - citizens and companies, importers and exporters, investors, depositors, borrowers, but most importantly, our state. Maintaining the dinar’s stability in a decade fraught with numerous global uncertainties was not an easy task, but the National Bank succeeded and now that stability has become its trademark,” Tabakovic said.