# Ecuadorian centavo coins

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 United States. 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. Ecuador does not issue any banknotes, relying on U.S. issues.

## Description

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. The exception is the one-cent coin, which rather than bearing a portrait, is printed with a map of the Americas and bears the legend "Luz de América" ("Light of the Americas"). Coins bear the date Año 20xx, beginning in 2000; the largest proportion of coins in circulation are from the 2000 minting. With the exception of the one-cent coin, the coins are nickel-plated steel; the "un centavo" coin is generally brass-plated steel although a few were struck in copper-plated steel. The coins are minted by the Royal Canadian Mint and the Casa de Moneda de México.
Ecuadorian centavo coin series :
| Image | Value | Technical parameters | Technical parameters | Technical parameters | Technical parameters | Description | Description | Description | Date of | Date of |
| Image | Value | Diameter | Thickness | Mass | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | issue | withdrawal |
| | 1 centavo | 19 mm | 1.25 mm | 2.5-2.55 g | Brass | Plain | "BANCO CENTRAL DEL ECUADOR", year of minting, denomination in digits and words | "REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR", stylized image of the globe with the equator passing through Ecuador and rays emanating from Ecuador, legend "LUZ DE AMERICA" (Spanish for Light of the Americas) | 10 September 2000 | Current |
| | 1 centavo | 19 mm | 1.45 mm | 2.35 g | Copper-plated steel | Plain | "BANCO CENTRAL DEL ECUADOR", year of minting, denomination in digits and words | "REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR", stylized image of the globe showing the Americas with the equator passing through Ecuador and rays emanating from Ecuador, legend "LUZ DE AMERICA" (Spanish for Light of the Americas) | 2003 | Current |
| | 5 centavos | 21.2 mm | 1.9 mm | 4.95 g | Stainless steel | Plain | "BANCO CENTRAL DEL ECUADOR", year of minting, denomination in digits and words | "REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR", portrait and name of Juan Montalvo, national coat of arms | 10 September 2000 | Current |
| | 10 centavos | 17.9 mm | 1.3 mm | 2.3 g | Stainless steel | Reeded | "BANCO CENTRAL DEL ECUADOR", year of minting, denomination in digits and words | "REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR", portrait and name of Eugenio Espejo, national coat of arms | 10 September 2000 | Current |
| | 25 centavos | 24.2 mm | 1.75 mm | 5.8 g | Stainless steel | Reeded | "BANCO CENTRAL DEL ECUADOR", year of minting, denomination in digits and words | "REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR", portrait and name of José Joaquín de Olmedo, national coat of arms | 10 September 2000 | Current |
| | 50 centavos | 30.6 mm | 2.1 mm | 11.25 g | Stainless steel | Reeded | "BANCO CENTRAL DEL ECUADOR", year of minting, denomination in digits and words | "REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR", portrait and name of Eloy Alfaro, national coat of arms | 10 September 2000 | Current |
| For table standards, see the coin specification table. |||||||||||
The Central Bank of Ecuador also produced a commemorative $1 (un sucre) coin for official 2000 mint sets. It was never released for circulation.
Ecuadorian un sucre coin :
| Image | Value | Technical parameters | Technical parameters | Technical parameters | Technical parameters | Description | Description | Description | Date of | Date of |
| Image | Value | Diameter | Thickness | Mass | Composition | Edge | Obverse | Reverse | issue | withdrawal |
| | 1 sucre | 30.5 mm | 2.2 mm | 11.25 g | Nickel-clad steel | Reeded | "BANCO CENTRAL DEL ECUADOR", year of minting, denomination in digits and words | "REPUBLICA DEL ECUADOR", portrait and name of Antonio José de Sucre, national coat of arms | 2000 (official mint sets only) | Never in circulation |
| For table standards, see the coin specification table. |||||||||||