First Cruzeiro (Cruzeiro "antigo"), 1942-1967

The first cruzeiro was issued from 1942 to 1967. It had the ISO 4217 code BRZ. It replaced the real at a rate of 1000 réis = 1 cruzeiro and was replaced in 1967 by the cruzeiro novo at a rate of 1000 cruzeiros = 1 cruzeiro novo.

Coins

In 1942, coins were introduced in denominations of 10, 20 and 50 centavos, and 1, 2 and 5 cruzeiros. The centavos were initially struck in cupro-nickel, switching to aluminium-bronze in 1943, whilst the cruzeiros were struck in aluminium-bronze from the start. The 5 cruzeiros was not struck after 1943. Aluminium replaced aluminium-bronze in 1956 and 1957 in all the coins. Coinage stopped production in 1961, restarting in 1965 with aluminium 10 and 20 cruzeiros, and cupro-nickel 50 cruzeiros. In 1964, the "centavo" coins were withdrawn, and the other coins were withdrawn between 1967 and 1968.

Banknotes

The first banknotes were overprints on earlier mil réis notes, with denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 cruzeiros. Regular issues of banknotes began in 1943 with the addition of 1000 cruzeiro notes. 1 and 2 cruzeiro notes were introduced in 1944, followed by 5000 cruzeiros in 1963 and 10,000 cruzeiros in 1966. The 1 and 2 cruzeiros were not produced after 1958.