Caution! Especially when dealing with money, keep in mind that, in Brazil, the use of commas (,) and periods (.) expressed in numerals is exactly the opposite of what is used in the United States. Brazilians use a period (.) instead of a comma (,) —to delineate thousands— and a comma (,) instead of a period (.) —to delineate fractions. Normally, an amount in reais is written as R$, consequently, R$ 6,00 (with a comma) is six reais and R$ 6.000 (with a period) is six thousand reais. Likewise, for amounts with fractions (centavos), it's 1.045,25 instead of 1,045.25 (one thousand, forty five reais and twenty five centavos) or R$ 10,25 instead of R$ 10.25 (ten reais and twenty five centavos).

The female effigy on the face of all Brazilian banknotes is a representation of a young woman wearing a crown of bay leaves. Down through history, this effigy has often been used in allegoric paintings and sculptures displayed in government buildings throughout Brazil as well as being used on Brazilian coins and banknotes. It was first used as a pro-Republican icon in the 19th century, inspired by France's Marianne. After the proclamation of the Republic in 1889, it became an important symbol of the newly formed Brazilian Republic.

R$ 1,00 — Um Real  (production discontinued in 2005)	R$ 2,00 — Dois Reais	R$ 5,00 — Cinco Reais

R$ 10,00 — Dez Reais	R$ 20,00 — Vinte Reais	R$ 50,00 — Cinqüenta Reais

R$ 100,00 — Cem Reais

R$ 10,00 — Dez Reais (polymer commemorative only issued in 2000  celebrating the 500th anniversary of Brazil)

In February, 2010, the Central Bank of Brazil announced that an entirely new series of banknotes would be issued starting in 2010. The new banknotes will start being issued in the first half of 2010 with the release of the new R$50 and the new R$100 banknotes. Issuance of all denominations will be gradually completed by 2012. The new banknotes are the first design change since the real was adopted in 1994 and provide better anti-counterfeiting protection. Older banknotes will be valid and honored as long as they remain in circulation.

1 Centavo (production  discontinued in 2006)

5 Centavos

10 Centavos

25 Centavos

50 Centavos

1 Real