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Myanmar Currency Chaos
Why a whimsical decision in 1987 to withdraw most circulating banknotes in Myanmar led to far more than the authorities bargained for.
In September 1987 the authorities in Myanmar suddenly announced that most of the banknotes in circulation in the country were invalid.
The decision, made without warning, had been ordered more or less on a whim by Myanmar's leader General Ne Win. He was a superstitious man and withdrew all 25, 35, and 75 kyat notes because they were not divisible by nine.
Farhana Haider reports on the chaos that ensued.
(Photo: AFP/Getty Images)
Last on
Thu 4 Sep 201407:50GMT
BBC World Service Online
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- Thu 4 Sep 201407:50GMTBBC World Service Online
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