The ariary is subdivided into 5 iraimbilanja and is one of only two non-decimal currencies currently in circulation.
In 2003–2004, new notes were introduced in denominations of 100, 200, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 ariary.
The 2000 ariary note currently features baobabs and rice terraces.
In 1993, new 500 ariary-2500 franc note and 5000 ariary-25,000 franc were issued with ariary slightly more prominent.
The denomination in ariary was written only in words, not numerals.
Coins and banknotes were denominated in both the official francs and the semi-official ariary and iraimbilanja since 1961.
Iraimbilanja means literally one iron weight and was the name of an old coin worth of an ariary.
From 1961, banknotes were issued denominated in both francs and ariary.
