Cattalian Lira

The Lira is the national currency of the United Kingdom of Cattala and is the recognised currency of the Bonnecelli realm. It has been the currency of Cattala since 1227, in various forms and values.

History
Adopted in the early 13th century as a way of unifying Cattala's financial systems and to simplify taxation, the lira was adopted from Italy but controlled by the House of Celestine. One lira was worth 100 dinari until the 16th century, when the dinari was replaced by the centesimo and the lira was revalued due to inflation. At this time, the Royal Mint was founded in Jennai and monetary policy has been associated with this city ever since.

Revaluation occurred in 1815, when the penny and shilling were introduced due to inflation. Decimalisation in 1922 saw the abolition of the shilling and a rise in the real value of a lira.

Coins
Coins are produced by the Royal Cattalian Mint in Jennai and currently issued in denominations of 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2. The 1p and 2p coins were last minted in 1997, due to inflation diminishing their value. They were withdrawn from circulation in 1999, and all cash transactions rounded to 5p or the lira.

All standard coins of Cattala feature the reigning monarch, Queen Alexandra V, on the obverse. The 5 pence coin features a portion of the band of roses that form the Roumelese rose on the reverse. The 10 pence coin features a ship from the fleet of King Roger Celestine, whilst its 20p counterpart hosts a Hellenic trident. Together their form the Oceanic Triple. £1 coins are known as crowns as they feature a Celestinian crown on the reverse, whilst the £2 coin features a stag, symbolising Fieranti.

Banknotes
The first paper currency was issued in 1970 in Cattala, with the first polymer banknotes issued in 1994. The £5 and £10 notes entered circulation on 1st January 1970, whilst the £20 and £50 were introduced on 1st September 1980 due to inflation requiring larger denominations for transactions.

All banknotes feature the reigning monarch on the obverse, in accordance with historic laws. On the reverse, historic Cattalian scientists, politicians, soldiers and princes are celebrated. The notes all bear the title "United Kingdom of Cattala" and the legal tender phrase has been "Legal Tender throughout all the Realms of the House of Bonnecelli" since the restoration of the monarchy in 1949. The Bank of Cattala in the past referred to coins as "Legal Tender throughout the Righteous Realms of the House of Celestine", including during Italian occupation during the war and after unification with Italy in 1860.