View source for Lesotho loti

{{Short description|Currency of Lesotho}}
{{Infobox currency
| image_1 = Lesotho 200 maloti averse 2015.jpg
| image_title_1 = 200 maloti
| iso_code = LSL
| iso_comment=before 1985: {{ISO 4217|LSM}}
| using_countries = {{flag|Lesotho}} (alongside [[South African rand]])
| inflation_rate = 6.8%
| inflation_source_date = [https://web.archive.org/web/20070621012533/http://www.centralbank.org.ls/news/MPC%20Statement%20Nov%2006.pdf Central Bank of Lesotho], August 2006
| inflation_method = [[Consumer price index|CPI]]
| pegged_with = [[South African rand]] at par
| subunit_ratio_1 = {{frac|1|100}}
| subunit_name_1 = sente
| symbol = L
| symbol_comment =  or M (pl.)
| unit = loti
| plural = maloti
| plural_subunit_1 = lisente
| used_coins = 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 lisente, L1, M2, M5
| used_banknotes = M10, M20, M50, M100, M200
| issuing_authority = [[Central Bank of Lesotho]]
| issuing_authority_website = {{URL|www.centralbank.org.ls}}
}}

The '''loti''' (plural: '''maloti''') is the [[currency]] of the Kingdom of [[Lesotho]]. It is subdivided into 100 ''[[Cent (currency)|sente]]'' (pl. ''lisente''). It is pegged to the [[South African rand]] on a 1:1 basis through the [[Common Monetary Area]], and both are accepted as [[legal tender]] within Lesotho. The loti was first issued in 1966, albeit as a non-circulating currency. In 1980, Lesotho issued its first coins denominated in both loti and lisente (dated 1979) to replace the South African rand, but the rand remains legal tender.

The name derives from the [[Sesotho]] ''loti'', "mountain," while ''sente'' is from English "[[Cent (currency)|cent]]".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sente|title=Definition of SENTE|website=www.merriam-webster.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loti|title=Definition of LOTI|website=www.merriam-webster.com}}</ref>

In 1985, the [[ISO 4217]] code was changed from {{ISO 4217|LSM}} into {{ISO 4217|LSL}}.

==Coins==

In 1980, [[coin]]s dated 1979 were introduced in denominations of 1 sente, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 lisente and 1 loti. In 1996, 2 and 5 maloti coins were introduced, followed by 20 lisente in 1998.

Coins in circulation are:
* 5 lisente
* 10 lisente
* 20 lisente
* 50 lisente
* 1 loti
* 2 maloti
* 5 maloti

==Banknotes==

In January 1980, [[banknote]]s dated 1979 (the last two digits of the year of issue are the serial number prefix denominator) were introduced in denominations of 2, 5 and 10 maloti.<ref>{{cite book | last1 = Linzmayer | first1 = Owen | title = The Banknote Book | chapter = Lesotho | publisher = www.BanknoteNews.com | year = 2012 | location = San Francisco, CA | url = http://www.banknotebook.com}}</ref> 20 and 50 maloti notes were added in 1981, followed by 100 and 200 maloti in 1994.

On 1 March 2011, at a celebration marking its 30th anniversary, the [[Central Bank of Lesotho]] launched a new series of banknotes dated 2010 aimed at fighting the spread of counterfeits. The notes feature a portrait of the three royal family members: the current king, His Majesty Letsie III, is in the middle, his father King Moshoeshoe II is on the left, and the founder of the Basotho nation, King Moshoeshoe I, on the right.<ref>[http://banknotenews.com/files/bcca2fea8185d45ca1b7138d62a05f02-1354.php Lesotho to issue new notes in March 2011] BanknoteNews.com. Retrieved 2012-03-20.</ref>

In 2021, the Central Bank of Lesotho issued a new series of loti banknotes that are similar to the 2010 series, but the note's size is reduced to incorporate updated security features, including tactile features for those with visual impairments and giving the notes an anti-bacterial and anti-viral varnish to protect the notes from surface soiling and preventing viral disease on the notes.

{|class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%"
!colspan="8"| 2011 Series [http://banknotenews.com/files/bcca2fea8185d45ca1b7138d62a05f02-1354.php]
|-
!rowspan="2"| Value !!rowspan="2"| Dimensions !!rowspan="2"| Main Color !!colspan="2"| Description !!rowspan="2"| Date of issue !!rowspan="2"| Date of first issue !!rowspan="2"| Watermark
|-
! Obverse !! Reverse
|-
| 10 maloti
| 132 x 70&nbsp;mm
| Red
| rowspan="5" | [[Mokorotlo|Mokorotlo hat]] registration device; [[Moshoeshoe II of Lesotho|King Moshoeshoe II]], [[Letsie III of Lesotho|King Letsie III]], and [[Moshoeshoe I|King Moshoeshoe I]]; [[Coat of arms of Lesotho|Lesotho coat of arms]]
| [[Cosmos (plant)|Cosmos flowers (''Cosmos bipinnatus'')]]
| rowspan="4" | 2010
| rowspan="4" | March 1, 2011
| Lesotho coat of arms and electrotype 10
|-
| 20 maloti
| 139 x 70&nbsp;mm
| Blue
| Basotho huts (mokhoro)
| Lesotho coat of arms and electrotype 20
|-
| 50 maloti
| 146 x 70&nbsp;mm
| Purple
| Men on horseback
| Lesotho coat of arms and electrotype 50
|-
| 100 maloti
| 153 x 70&nbsp;mm
| Green
| Shepherd with flock
| Lesotho coat of arms and electrotype 100
|-
| 200 maloti
| 160 x 70&nbsp;mm
| Orange
| Man on horse
| 2015
| April 1, 2016
| King Moshoeshoe I in top hat, electrotype 200 capped with Basotho hat, and Cornerstones
|-
|}

==See also==
* [[Economy of Lesotho]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.centralbank.org.ls/ Central Bank of Lesotho's official website]
* [http://www.bis-ans-ende-der-welt.net/Lesotho-B-En.htm The banknotes of Lesotho] {{in lang|en|de}}

{{Exchange rate|LSL|JPY|USD}}
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{{n-before|currency=[[South African rand]]|ratio=at par}}
{{n-currency|location=[[Lesotho]]|start=1980|concurrent=[[South African rand]] ([[legal tender]])}}
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{{n-end}}
{{Economy of Lesotho}}
{{Currencies of Africa}}
{{Portal bar|Africa|Money|Numismatics}}

[[Category:Currencies of Africa]]
[[Category:Circulating currencies]]
[[Category:Fixed exchange rate]]
[[Category:Currencies introduced in 1966]]
[[Category:Currencies introduced in 1980]]
[[Category:Economy of Lesotho]]