MOPMacanese PatacaMacanese Pataca (MOP)
The Macanese pataca is the legal currency of Macao. The Monetary Authority of Macao administers the territory's monetary and exchange-rate framework, and MOP is the ISO code used in international financial records. One pataca is divided into 100 avos. Macao's official currency page states that pataca notes and coins have legal-circulation force, that the government holds the currency-issue right and that authorized banks act as note-issuing agents. This institutional description matters because MOP is not simply a local name for the Hong Kong dollar or renminbi, even though all three currencies are visible in the region's financial and travel activity.
- ISO code
- MOP
- Symbol
- P
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Currency type
- Fiat currency
- Exchange system
- Macanese Pataca operates under the reviewed linked exchange-rate system fixed to hkd at hkd 1 = mop 1.03 arrangement, with Hong Kong dollar.
- Last reviewed
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Quick facts
MOP at a glance
Currency profile
How MOP works
The Macanese pataca is the legal currency of Macao. The Monetary Authority of Macao administers the territory's monetary and exchange-rate framework, and MOP is the ISO code used in international financial records. One pataca is divided into 100 avos. Macao's official currency page states that pataca notes and coins have legal-circulation force, that the government holds the currency-issue right and that authorized banks act as note-issuing agents. This institutional description matters because MOP is not simply a local name for the Hong Kong dollar or renminbi, even though all three currencies are visible in the region's financial and travel activity.
Monetary Authority of Macao administers MOP within a linked exchange-rate system fixed to hkd at hkd 1 = mop 1.03 system.
- Pataca notes and coins are the legal currency of Macao under the territory's currency-issue law.
- The reviewed cash profile records MOP 10, MOP 20, MOP 50, MOP 100, MOP 500, MOP 1,000 for banknotes and 10, 20 and 50 avos, MOP 1, MOP 2, MOP 5, MOP 10 for coins.
Context
Why this currency matters
Macao operates a linked exchange-rate system in which the pataca is fixed to the Hong Kong dollar at the middle rate of HKD 1 = MOP 1.03. The Monetary Authority of Macao explains that note-issuing banks deliver Hong Kong dollars to the authority at that specified rate as backing for pataca issuance. The arrangement gives MOP a documented anchor and a full-reserve structure, while its value against USD and other currencies still reflects the movement of the Hong Kong dollar. A MOP conversion is therefore best read with the rate date and direction. The pataca's relationship with the Hong Kong dollar is a specific monetary arrangement administered through Macao's financial system. This link is stated precisely so readers can distinguish the pataca's monetary regime from general regional currency acceptance. MOP remains the legal-currency code for Macao, and the currency's official source, local cash role and linked-rate explanation should travel together on a reference page.
Monetary framework
Exchange arrangement
Macanese Pataca operates under the reviewed linked exchange-rate system fixed to hkd at hkd 1 = mop 1.03 arrangement, with Hong Kong dollar.
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History timeline
Key dates for MOP
Pataca became the monetary unit
Macao adopted the pataca as its official unit of account.
Monetary Authority of MacaoMonetary authority established
Macao created the institution that developed into the present Monetary Authority of Macao.
Monetary Authority of MacaoHKD link formalized
The pataca's linked relationship was set at HKD 1 to MOP 1.03.
Monetary Authority of Macao
Usage and economy
How MOP is used
- MOP is the accounting and pricing unit for government charges, wages and local commerce in Macao.
- Pataca comparisons commonly involve HKD and CNY because of tourism, trade and the linked-rate system.
Banknotes and coins
MOP currency units
The issuing authority documents the reviewed MOP banknote denominations used in the current cash system.
The issuing authority documents the circulation coin system for MOP.
One Macanese Pataca unit is recorded with 2 decimal places and uses Avo as its minor unit.
Related currencies
Currency relationships
Explore currencies connected through regional use, trade comparisons or monetary relationships.
FAQ
MOP questions
Who issues pataca notes?
The Macao government holds the currency-issue right, while authorized banks act as note-issuing agents under the Monetary Authority of Macao's framework.
Does the MOP-HKD link fix MOP against USD?
It fixes the pataca to HKD. Because HKD moves within its own dollar-linked system, MOP can still change against USD and other currencies through the cross-rate.
What changed for MOP in 1901?
Macao adopted the pataca as its official unit of account.
Sources
Data and editorial review
Rate source: Frankfurter
Last reviewed:
Currency identity and cash information is checked against central-bank, government, ISO and official international sources.