The Dominican peso has been officially the currency of the Dominican Republic since 1844. A peso has been divided into 100 cents since 1877 and its symbol is “RD$” and its ISO 4217 code is “DOP”.
It is exactly the same symbol that other currencies with the denomination “peso” use (dollar apart) in other countries of the world (Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Chile and the Philippines).
As of the date of this post (December 15, 2022), the equivalence between the Chilean peso and the euro is:
- 1 euro = 58.71 DOP.
- 1000 Dominican pesos = 17 euros
History of the Dominican peso
On the website of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic you have a detailed history of the country’s currency. We summarize it here.
Hispaniola, as the Dominican Republic was known in the colonial period, was one of the first American colonies where coins circulated. In 1505 the kings of Spain ordered the minting of maravedíes to be sent to the island for their minting in situ.
In 1542, a Mint was created on the island (in Mexico it dates from 1535) to mint silver and fleece.
With the Independence of the Dominican Republic in 1844, Dominican coins called “cuarto de real” began to circulate, which in turn was a Spanish coin and which were manufactured in the United States.
The phrase “fourth” used in popular slang to refer to money is said to come from these origins.
The Dominican Republic decimalized its currency in 1877, dividing the peso into 100 cents. After the economic crisis of 1880, the currency lost value and a second currency circulated throughout the country, the Dominican franc.
In 1905, the peso was replaced by the US dollar, at a rate of 5 pesos for every dollar. The gold peso was reintroduced in 1937 on a par with the US dollar, although the dollar continued to be used alongside the gold peso until 1947.
Dominican peso coins in circulation
Currently, peso coins with the following denominations are handled in the Dominican Republic: 1, 5, 10 and 25 RD$.
The coins are issued, like the banknotes, by the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, which dedicates a section of its website to DOP banknotes and coins.
Obverse of the coin
1.- Legend: Central Bank of the Dominican Republic
2.- Edge: Smooth
3.- Edge: thick and interrupted grooved
4.- Exergo: Year of issue 2005
5.- Central Figure: The effigy of the patrician Matías Ramón Mella
6.- Field: The part that is completely smooth in the coin
Reverse of the coin
1.-Legend: Dominican Republic
7.-Value of the Denomination: RD$10.00
8.-Figure: National Shield
The exchange value of these coins in euros, in France, is very low. As of the date of this update, February 2023, these are the euro cents you would get for each of the 4 currencies:
- 1 peso coin: 1.5 cents.
- 5 pesos coin: 8 euro cents
- 10 pesos coin: 15 euro cents.
- 25 pesos coin: 40 euro cents.
Dominican peso banknotes in circulation
In 2011, a new issue of banknotes was made that are now called “Dominican pesos” instead of “Gold pesos”.
Currently, there are peso banknotes with denominations of 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 RD$ of the sixth (2014) and fifth (2011) series (families).
Sixth family of banknotes
Since October 2014, a new issue of peso banknotes has been circulating in the Dominican Republic with the same denominations as in 2011 but with a renewed appearance and security measures: 50, 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 RD$.
All these banknotes incorporate the YEAR 2014 of issue and the Bayahíbe rose, which is the national flower of the Dominican Republic thanks to Law 146-11 of the country’s National Congress.
The Bayahíbe rose (pereskia quisqueyana) is a cactus with leaves that can measure up to 6 meters high, discovered in 1977 and in danger of extinction, which is why it was declared the Dominican national flower.
All the banknotes of the Dominican Republic carry the phrase: “This banknote has liberating force for the payment of all public or private obligations.”
50 pesos banknotes (50 RD$)
The 50-peso banknote is bright purple.
It dates from 2014 and on the obverse it shows the Primate Cathedral of America, Santa María la Menor. Also known as Santo Domingo Cathedral, it was declared in 1546 the first cathedral of the New World by Pope Paul III, at the request of Emperor Charles V.
The reverse shows the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia (Basilica of Higüey). This cathedral is of modern construction (1970) and is located in the city of Salvaleón de Higüey.
The equivalent value in euros of this 50-peso banknotes is about 0.82 euro cents today, December 7, 2022, at currency suppliers in France.
100 pesos banknote (100 RD$)
The 100 Dominican pesos banknote is orange in color and dates from 2014.
On the obverse it shows the effigies of the three Fathers of the Dominican Homeland, Juan Palo Duarte y Díez, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez and Matías Ramón Mella Castillo.
Juan Pablo Duarte (1813-1876), was a Dominican professor, soldier, politician, and liberal activist. Francisco del Rosario (1817-1861) was a Dominican lawyer, politician, and activist. Matías Ramón Mella (1816-1864) was a Dominican military and politician.
The reverse shows the Puerta del Conde, inside the Baluarte del Conde located in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The name “Count” is due to the Count of Peñalba, former captain general of Santo Domingo, who in 1655 successfully repelled a British invasion.
The gate is an emblematic place in the Dominican Republic because on February 27, 1844, Francisco del Rosario Sánchez declared the independence of the nation while raising the Dominican flag in this place.
The equivalent value in euros of this 100-peso banknote is about 1.64 euros today, December 7, 2022, at currency suppliers in France.
200 pesos banknote (200 RD$)
The 200 Dominican pesos banknote comes in pink tones and dates from 2014.
On the obverse it shows the portraits of the Mirabal sisters (Patria, Minerva and María Teresa) who were assassinated on November 25, 1960 after their strong opposition to the dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo.
On the back you can see the monument to the Mirabal Sisters in Salcedo.
The equivalent value in euros of this 200-peso banknotes is about 3.23 euros today, December 7, 2022, at currency suppliers in France.
500 pesos banknote (500 RD$)
The 500 Dominican pesos banknote is in turquoise tones and has two versions, the original from 2014 and a special edition in 2017 on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, which has improved security measures over the 2014 edition ( see below).
On the obverse it shows the effigies of Salomé Ureña Díaz de Henríquez and Pedro Henríquez Ureña.
Salomé Ureña (1850-1897) one of the flagship poets of Dominican lyric poetry of the 19th century and defender of the education of Dominican women. For her part, Pedro Henríquez (1884-1946) was a Dominican intellectual, philosopher, critic and writer.
The reverse shows the Plaza del Banco Central.
The equivalent value in euros of this 500-peso banknote is about 8.2 euros today, December 7, 2022, at currency suppliers in France.
1,000 pesos banknote (1000 RD$)
The 1,000 Dominican pesos banknote is reddish in color and dates from 2014.
The obverse shows the front of the National Palace of the Dominican Republic, official residence of the President of the Republic and seat of the Executive Branch.
On the reverse appears the fortress of Diego Colón y Perestrelo (1479-1526), son and successor of Christopher Columbus in the admiralty, viceroyalty and government of the Indies, based in Santo Domingo.
The equivalent value in euros of this 1000-peso banknote is about 16.4 euros today at currency suppliers in France.
2,000 pesos banknote (2,000 RD$)
The 1,000 Dominican pesos banknote is in blue tones and dates from 2014.
The obverse shows the effigies of José Reyes and Emilio Prud’Homme. José Rufino Reyes Siancas (1835-1905) was composer of the music for the national anthem of the Dominican Republic whose lyrics he contributed, Emilio Prud’Homme y Maduro (1856-1931), Dominican lawyer, considered one of the great contributors of identity Dominican national.
On the back you can see the Eduardo Brito National Theater, one of the most emblematic buildings of the Republic, inaugurated in 1973.
The equivalent value in euros of this 2000 pesos banknote is about 30.32 euros today, December 7, 2022, at currency suppliers in France.
Dominican peso euro exchange
The exchange rate of the euro against the peso oscillates at all times. If you search on Google for “Dominican peso euro exchange” you will find dozens of websites like Oanda (“currency converters”) that offer a “price” of the day, even with Google Finance prices.
Something like this (February 27th, 2023):
As you can see, the change in the last 5 years has oscillated between 52 and 71 pesos per euro. But keep in mind that this graph represents the value of the Dominican peso “currency” against the euro, and not that of the real currency, which is lower.
In fact, in the currency suppliers in France, as of the date of this update (February 2023) you can buy “Dominicans” at an exchange rate between 48 and 37 DOP, for each euro. Nothing to do with the euro-peso currency exchange.
So, when you see these values in Google and other currency converters with your mobile, keep this in mind:
-This is an unofficial price, and therefore unreliable. In other words, if you click on the “Disclaimer” link, you will get this warning from Google Finance:
“Google cannot guarantee the accuracy of the exchange rates displayed. Please confirm current rates before making a transaction that may be affected by changes in exchange rates.”
-These prices that you see are usually wholesale prices of the Dominican peso currency against the euro currency (currency and banknote currency are not the same);
-This price can only be obtained by the banks among themselves, that is, it is impossible to obtain it as an individual.
If you need pesos in banknotes you will have to go through the ticket retail market (bank or currency supplier). This market means that the Dominican pesos have had to be “transported” by someone for you to enjoy them (or bought from travelers from the Dominican Republic, previously passing through France).
In other words, moving banknotes from one place to another has logistical costs that will make their sale price more expensive (the exchange rate that will be applied by whoever sells them to you).
The Dominican peso is a currency that is not very common or abundant in France, so it is not so easy to find it available for sale. Therefore, it is good to anticipate the purchase and order it online to obtain a better price.
Where to exchange Dominican pesos
The 2 most popular places to exchange DOP in France are banks and currency suppliers, high-street or at the airport.
Of these, the least recommended places to buy are the suppliers at the airports (very expensive) and the banks, which charge you a commission of close to 2% on the amount exchanged in addition to an “exchange margin” (difference between the rate for which you paid the currency and the rate for which it is sold to you).
Euro to Dominican peso exchange rate today
To find out the Euro to Dominican peso exchange rate, the best thing you can do is use our currency comparator.
- Exchange Euros to Dominican pesos (EUR-DOP)
- Exchange Dominican pesos to Euros (DOP-EUR)
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