Algeria Introduces New Series of Banknotes, Coins

A man counts Algerian Dinar banknotes in Algiers. (Reuters)
A man counts Algerian Dinar banknotes in Algiers. (Reuters)
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Algeria Introduces New Series of Banknotes, Coins

A man counts Algerian Dinar banknotes in Algiers. (Reuters)
A man counts Algerian Dinar banknotes in Algiers. (Reuters)

The Central Bank of Algeria on Sunday issued into circulation two new banknotes at denomination of 500 and 1,000 Algerian dinars, as well as a new coin with face value of 100 dinars.

These new series of banknotes and coins bear portraits of some of Algeria's historical and modern elements, such as the Algerian satellite Alcomsat 1, the Great Mosque of Algiers, and two historical figures, namely the founder of modern Algeria, Emir Abdelkader, and Berber King of Numidia, Jugurtha.

The 100-dinar coin is made up of three different metals. The circlet is made of gray stainless steel, while the core is made of pinkish-yellow copper and nickel.

Secretary-General of the Central Bank Lahbib Goubi told reporters that these new notes and coins will be put into circulation by mid-February.

He added that this move aims at "refreshing the money in circulation" rather than "changing the national currency."

In Algeria, there are nine different coins, the values of which range from 50 cents to 200 dinars.

As for notes, there are those of 100 dinars, 200 dinars, 500 dinars, 1,000 and 2,000 dinars.



Gold Steady as Market Eyes Middle East Conflict, Fed Decision

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
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Gold Steady as Market Eyes Middle East Conflict, Fed Decision

FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An employee places ingots of 99.99 percent pure gold in a workroom at the Novosibirsk precious metals refining and manufacturing plant in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, Russia, September 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

Gold prices were steady on Tuesday as investors assessed the conflict between Israel and Iran and looked ahead to this week's US Federal Reserve's policy meeting.

Spot gold was steady at $3,383.01 an ounce, as of 0851 GMT US gold futures fell 0.5% to $3,401.30.

Israel and Iran exchanged attacks for a fifth consecutive day on Tuesday, Reuters reported.

US President Donald Trump urged an evacuation of Iran's capital Tehran and cut short his trip to the G7 summit in Canada. A separate report said he had asked for his administration's National Security Council to be prepared in the situation room.

"Markets are waiting for the latest signals whether hostilities between Israel and Iran would escalate or will remain contained," said Han Tan, chief market analyst at Exinity Group.

"Gold still retains its bias for lurching upwards on signs of a worsening Middle East conflict, given the precious metal's stature as the preferred safe haven of late."

Zero-yield bullion is considered a hedge against geopolitical and economic uncertainty and tends to thrive in a low-interest environment.

The US central bank rate decision and Chair Jerome Powell's remarks are due on Wednesday. Traders are currently pricing in two cuts by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Citi lowered its short-term and long-term price targets for gold, projecting prices could drop below $3,000 per ounce by late 2025 or early 2026, driven by declining investment demand and an improving global growth outlook, it said in a note on Monday.

Elsewhere, spot silver was up 0.3% at $36.45 per ounce, platinum was unchanged at $1,246.59, while palladium fell 0.4% to $1,025.44.